A Complete Furniture Store Lighting Guide
To optimize your furniture store showroom lighting, you'll need to set up a lighting control system
One of the most important aspects, yet often overlooked aspects of the retail experience is lighting. Retail lighting does more than simply illuminate products in a showroom, your lighting profile conveys your aesthetic and flow of your store. Today, we’re going to be specifically discussing how to properly light a furniture showroom.
You may think that lighting a large furniture showroom would be an incredibly complicated task, but with the right lighting control systems it is actually quite easy. Lighting technology is capable of connecting a large network of smart lights that can be adjusted from a single device. Since there are so many different ways you can light a furniture store, it’s good to have adjustable options. And, when it comes down to it, your lighting capability can directly affect your profits. So let’s find out how you can use smart lighting technology to illuminate a furniture store space.
What are the Goals of Furniture Store Lighting?
Using lighting control systems, it is easy to create a complex lighting profile for your showroom
Lighting design should improve both the customer and employee store experience.
An effective use of lighting in your showroom space is a crucial element to any brick-and-mortar furniture store. When lighting any retail space, the purpose should be to create a positive initial impression. That first impression applies to both your merchandise and your space as a whole. When a customer walks into your furniture store, the first thing they’ll likely notice is the quality of light. Your lighting should also properly showcase and highlight the best features of the furniture on display. By using a lighting control system, it's possible to create a complex and custom design specifically for your showroom. Before making any major decisions about furniture store lighting design, prioritize these 5 key factors:
- Flow - use lighting should guide customers through the showroom
- Sales - highlight the best features of your key pieces
- Comfort - establish a lighting profile that puts your customers at ease
- Branding - design your lighting so that it appeals to your target audience
- Cost - make efficient lighting a priority
Once you’ve set your goals for each category, it's time to talk about the types of lights used in furniture stores.
Different Types of Lighting Used in Furniture Stores
Lighting control systems help manage the different types of lighting commonly used in furniture showrooms
It requires a complex lighting system to properly light a furniture showroom.
There are four types of lighting that are essential for all retail spaces, especially furniture stores. The four types of lighting we’re going to cover are general lighting, task lighting, accent lighting and task lighting. Using these lighting types — also referred to as layers — you can create a beautiful and well lit showroom. Let’s get started!
General Lighting
General lighting refers to your furniture store's main source of light. Sometimes referred to as ambient lighting, general lighting determines the basic lighting levels for your space.
This type of lighting is an excellent opportunity to save money on your operating costs. Using smart LED lighting and a lighting control system, you can improve your lighting and save on utilities. LED lights use far less energy than incandescent and fluorescent bulbs and can be automated using your control system. Automated lighting can instantly turn any furniture store into a smart furniture store. To automate your lighting, all you have to do is use your smart device to preset the time lights should turn on and off each day. You can also turn lights on and off remotely. That means no more wasted energy due to unnecessary lighting.
Task Lighting
Unlike general lighting, task lighting is designed to illuminate a specific workspace. For a furniture store, task lighting is used for your point of sale. Task lighting should be designed to provide ample light for employees to accomplish their daily tasks. Many furniture retailers use attractive pendant lighting over their point of sale, not only for workers, but also to guide customers. In all applications, task lighting should be significantly brighter than general lighting.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting is used to draw attention to specific merchandise in your showroom. When it comes to accent lighting, each display is going to look a little bit different. Depending on which aspects of your showroom you’d like to highlight, you can use accent lighting to optimize your showroom.
To create effective accent lighting, you first need to choose lights that are much brighter and more focused than the ambient or task lighting in your store. Many furniture stores take advantage of easily adjustable track fixtures that can be moved as your showroom changes. If you choose smart LEDs accent light bulbs, you can also make easy adjustments to the lighting intensity and quality depending on your next major display.
Decorative Lighting
Decorative lighting, as the name suggests, enhances your store’s overall design. Any lighting that doesn't have a specific task beyond aesthetics, can be considered decorative lighting. For furniture stores, you should consider how your decorative lighting will mesh with your merchandise. If your lighting and merchandise are incongruent, you may end up confusing your customers. Generally, decorative lighting can be any fixture from sconces to table and floor lamps. The look and aesthetics of your showroom, combined with personal taste, will determine how you organize your decorative lighting.
When you combine the four lighting levels we discussed, you can improve and optimize your store environment. Using our design tips, energy saving LED lights, and lighting control systems, you can create an exciting showroom for your customers.
