Cafés
Café Kitchen Lighting Design for Cafés
Place light where people work or read faces. Layer task light over ambient light and test glare from occupied positions.
Explore the ideas
Plan in this order
- Mark tasks, viewing angles and screen locations on the furniture plan before placing fittings.
- Separate regularly used tasks from the room's general lighting so each can be controlled independently.
- Test the proposed fitting and finish sample together. Glossy finishes can reflect a bright source directly into view.
Worked example
A glossy backsplash reflects the ceiling fixture into the cook’s eyes while chopping at night.
Use shielded under-cabinet task light and sample the backsplash vertically with that light switched on before selecting its sheen.
How to test it
Check the space in daylight and after dark. Stand and sit where people actually use it, and check controls from the entry.
Apply it to this space
- Layout
- Keep hot preparation adjacent to the pass and route used dishes toward wash-up on a separate side.
- Detail
- Use wipeable splash surfaces and task lighting at plating and wash stations.
- Trade-off
- A more complete kitchen increases menu flexibility but reduces front seating.
- Trace a food order and a dirty dish return
- Check appliance doors clear the prep route
The Elixir portfolio
Details worth a closer look
