Outdoor lighting isn’t just about visibility—it’s a powerful tool for attracting customers and shaping their experience:
- Attract customers: A well-lit entrance and stylish fixtures boost curb appeal, drawing in passersby and reinforcing brand identity.
- Create ambiance: For restaurants with outdoor seating, warm, inviting lighting transforms patios into cozy, desirable dining spots. Thoughtful illumination does more than brighten a space—it creates an atmosphere that invites customers to stay, enjoy, and return.
- Enhance safety: Strategic lighting enhances safety, ensuring walkways, patios, and parking areas feel welcoming and secure.
In this article, we’ll go over the lighting types to consider for attracting customers. This is where you need to start with restaurant outdoor lighting. After all, it doesn’t matter how great the patio ambiance is if you can’t get anyone to stop and come in for a meal to experience it! So let’s start with the outdoor lighting types to consider for curb appeal and brand visibility.
Roofline lighting
LED roofline lighting is a simple, low-maintenance way to boost your restaurant’s exterior. These smart, programmable lights are energy-efficient and can be customized to match your brand colors or seasonal decor. They create a dynamic look that makes your restaurant inviting. Since LEDs last a long time and use less power, you can keep them on 24/7, ensuring visibility at all times.
Spotlights for signage & landscaping
Well-placed spotlights improve the impact of your signage, architecture, and landscaping. After all, what good is a sign if no one can see it after dark? Highlight signs and key features with angled lighting to make your branding stand out, even at night.
Entrance fixtures
A well-lit doorway is key to a warm, inviting entrance. Good lighting to improve curb appeal starts at the edges of the restaurant property, close to the road. But it needs to continue all the way to the door, leading customers inside. Plus, a bright entryway boosts security by deterring threats and making staff and guests feel safe.
Pathway lighting
Pathway lighting serves both practical and aesthetic needs. First, well-lit walkways help customers navigate safely from parking to the door (and back again). Second, well-lit walkways make your restaurant look appealing and polished. Stylish pathway lights add an upscale touch to the exterior.
Wall & step wash lights
Wall and step wash lights add a refined touch to your restaurant’s architecture. These fixtures highlight details and provide soft, subtle lighting. These are the kind of touches that elevate a brand’s look and promise a great experience.
Why plan now? It’s still winter!
The best time to plan your outdoor lighting is before peak patio season.
- Get ahead of the rush – Install before spring and summer demand surges.
- Avoid delays – Get on the schedule now; our calendar fills up fast once the weather warms.
- Test and adjust – Fine-tune your setup before the crowds arrive.
Well-designed lighting makes your restaurant impossible to ignore. The right setup highlights your brand, enhances visibility, and invites customers in. Investing in quality outdoor lighting now ensures your restaurant is ready to shine when that St. Louis spring weather turns up. Get in touch for a free estimate and we’ll talk through the best options and a custom design for your restaurant.
