How To Select & Design Retail Lighting in 6 Steps
Meaghan has provided content and guidance for indie retailers as the editor for a number of retail publications and a speaker at trade shows. She is Fit Small Business’s authority on retail and ecommerce.
Brigitte is a retail specialist and staff writer with brick and mortar management experience. She is versed in retail sales analysis, merchandising, and buying with an emphasis in retail sales and marketing across platforms. She has a BA in writing from Washington University, St. Louis.
This article is part of a larger series on Retail Management.
Retail lighting includes all light sources you use to make your space visible and highlight products or areas of your store. The lighting you choose when opening a retail store is a major part of your merchandising strategy. Effective lighting guides customers to key areas of your space, sets the ambiance, and can even draw people through your doors and keep them engaged and shopping longer.
In this article, we look at the different types of retail store lighting, bulbs, and fixtures. We also go over best practices for lighting your store and what you can expect to spend on your retail lighting plan—all broken down into six easy steps.
Step 1: Learn the Types of Store Lighting
When lighting your space, there are four different types of lighting that you will combine to form a cohesive lighting strategy: accent, decorative, ambient, and task. Click through the tabs below to learn when to use each.
A back-lit open cabinet creates a stunning backdrop for hair products in this trendy salon. (Source: TheSalonBusiness.com)
Spotlight wall sconces highlight new artwork in this gallery.
(Source: Louie Lighting Blog)
Lighting up your cabinets is a great way to make their contents pop and draw the eye. (Source: Pinterest)
Accent lighting is used to highlight specific products or key areas, indicating their importance and drawing the eye. It helps guide customers to key products or areas by increasing their visibility or accentuating them.
When considering how you want to use accent lighting, determining your key products will be the first step. These might be your newest items for stores with faster turnover or your annual best sellers. Either way, giving your key products a visual push through accent lighting will help promote those products to customers.
When you know what items you want to highlight with accent lighting, it is time to determine what type works best for your space. For stores with less floor space, wall sconces or track lighting might be your best option. For places with more space, you can opt to create a lit shelving wall to pack a punch. Other common types of accent lighting are can lights, picture lights, recessed lights, and inner-cabinet lights.
Large decorative lighting displays catch the eye and create a cool vibe in this trendy storefront. (Source: Urban Cottage Industries)
A modern shoe store adds a decorative lighting display on its ceiling to draw the eye and show its flair for cutting edge design. (Source: Zen Merchandiser)
Window displays are another great area for adding decorative lighting elements to draw customers in with a stunning lighting visual. (Source: Invisua Lighting BV)
Decorative lighting includes lighting features that serve an aesthetic rather than utilitarian purpose. It can be used to add embellishment to your space, create an eye-catching display, or add to the ambiance of your storefront.
It can look like anything from an ornamental lamp to a string of Christmas lights to a lit window display. Remember, lighting offers a great opportunity for decor and display elements—it’s not always just about keeping things lit.
This shop created ambient lighting using a combination of pot lights and a statement light fixture to create a calming, well-lit space. (Source: Zen Merchandiser)
A combination of track lighting and industrial-inspired fixtures keep this space bright while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic.
(source: Commercial Lighting Industries)
Twenty-one light fixtures create the ambient lighting scheme for this funky coffee shop.
(Source: Design Lighting Group)
Ambient lighting is your store’s main lighting source and the backdrop on which you will layer other kinds of retail store lighting. In general, ambient lighting will create the overall ambiance of your space, should reach every corner, and provide uniform visibility.
While it is a backdrop, it does not have to be boring, and you can choose fixtures that make a statement. Anything from chandeliers to simple pot lights will work. The main objective is to create even light dispersal, ensuring the visibility is not compromised at any point throughout your space. (We will go over how to create an even dispersal later in this article.)
You want to be sure you are considering how your ambient lighting choices are impacting the mood your shop evokes. For example, at my boutique, we used chandeliers with bright, warm bulbs—bright to make up for the lack of natural light and warm to create a homey and inviting atmosphere.
Chic lights over the register create a bright place for transactions to occur. (Source: WeekendsinRotterdam)
Fitting rooms spruced with extra task lighting create a perfect space to try clothes on.
Bright white lighting is a great option for lighting backstock spaces so you and your staff see everything easily.
(Source: Modern Office Systems)
Task lighting is used to provide light for a specific task or purpose—it’s basically a supplemental light source. It includes lighting up the register, where transactions happen; the fitting rooms, where people try on and evaluate clothes; and your office space, where you work each day. So when designing your lighting scheme, you should think about the tasks or activities that happen in your store regularly when determining where you want to install task light sources.
At my clothing boutique, we had task lighting throughout our backstock areas, in the fitting rooms, and in the back office. For most retail businesses, the register will be the first place that comes to mind. A butcher, on the other hand, will likely add task lighting to the meat preparation area, refrigeration rooms, and back-office space.
Step 2: Set the Ambiance by Choosing the Right Brightness & Tone
Light bulbs are measured in two ways: brightness and tone. Brightness, as you might expect, refers to how bright the light is; tone refers to the color of the light, which also correlates with its temperature.
When searching for bulbs, brightness will be indicated by lumens, a measure of the total amount of visible light emitted by a light source per unit of time. The relationship between brightness and lumens is simple: The greater the lumens, the greater the brightness.
Watts is no longer a reliable indicator of bulb brightness. It refers to efficiency of the light bulb, but newer bulbs, like LEDs and Halogen bulbs, are highly efficient (low watts) and give off bright light (high lumens).
This graph is helpful for understanding the relationship between lumens and watts and can help you determine what lumen level you should look for.
The brightness of bulbs will play a major role in creating your shop’s ambiance. You will want to think about whether having a bright or a dim space will be better for your business. For example, a massage parlor might want to use soft lighting to create a relaxing atmosphere, whereas a hardware store might want bright lighting to maximize visibility.
Later, we will go over how to determine if you have enough bulbs to cover your entire space with light. Don’t worry—it’s easy math. But this question can be easily answered by the number of lumens you have throughout your store, so you will want to keep track of that number as you devise your store lighting plan.
For tone, or the color temperature of your bulb, you will want to look for the number of kelvin associated with the bulb. As the number increases, the tone of your light becomes cooler; as the number decreases, the tone becomes warmer.
Kelvin: the base unit of temperature in the International System of Units.
Just like with brightness, the tone you choose will play a major role in setting the ambiance of your space. So, you will want to consider whether warmer or cooler tones will be better suited for your business. Taking the same example as above, the massage parlor will likely opt for warmer tones to set a welcoming mood, whereas the hardware store will probably choose cooler tones to increase visibility and give a sense of cleanliness.
You can blend different color tones throughout your space, but smaller shops tend to choose one tone and stick with it. When choosing the right one for your store, consider natural light, wall color, and ceiling height. It is best to play around with different lighting options before you settle on a bulb to order in bulk.
Save yourself some money: Ordering bulbs in bulk will drive the cost per bulb down and save you money in the long run.
Step 3: Select Your Bulb Type
Once you determine the brightness you want your bulbs to emit, it’s time to consider different bulb types. Generally speaking, when choosing, no one type is best for dim or bright uses or for warm or cool tones. Nowadays, you can achieve most lighting schemes with any bulb type. The factors you will want to consider are average cost, operating life, energy efficiency, color range, and the type of store lighting the bulb is best suited for.
Get the most out of your lighting: Install dimmer switches in your store so you can adjust your lighting with natural light levels or change the mood with the flip of a switch.
Click through the tabs to learn more about the different types of bulbs.
Compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs are an energy-efficient lighting option used to replace or mimic incandescent lighting, and some can even fit into incandescent lighting fixtures.
- Average Cost: Low to mid-range; $2–$6 per bulb
- Operating Life: 7–9 years
- Energy-efficiency: 50–70 lumens per watt
- Color temperature range: Full spectrum of color temperatures, warm to cool
- Best for: General/ambient lighting and task lighting
Halogen bulbs or lamps are a type of incandescent light bulb that uses halogen gas to increase both light output and operating life.
- Average Cost: Low to mid-range; $2–$8 per bulb
- Operating Life: 1–2 years
- Energy-efficiency: 12–15 lumens per watt
- Color temperature range: Full spectrum of color temperatures, warm to cool
- Best for: Accent lights, task lighting, and decorative fixtures
LED bulbs are an electric light source that produces light using light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
- Average Cost: Mid to high-range; $5–$20
- Operating Life: 1.5–6 years
- Energy-efficiency: 60 lumens per watt
- Color temperature range: Full spectrum of color temperatures, warm to cool
- Best For: All types of retail store lighting
Step 4: Pick Your Fixtures
The three bulb types listed above, in any lumen and color temperature, can be used in a wide variety of fixtures. Most retail store lighting combines several different types of fixtures with various bulbs to deliver the correct amount of light throughout the space.
Sourcing bulbs and fixtures can be challenging. Some of our preferred sources for quality and cost-effective bulbs and fixtures include
Select from the drop-down menu below to learn more about each fixture’s features, best uses, and associated costs.
- Features: Flush with the ceiling; customizable trim finishes; uniform light distribution
- Best for: Low ceiling heights; ambient and accent lighting
- Cost of fixture: $10–$50
- Features: Exposed canister; customizable trim finishes; uniform light distribution
- Best for: Industrial or open ceiling designs; ambient and accent lighting
- Cost of fixture: $5–$30
- Features: Strong, precise light source pointed downward; small in size; small light coverage area
- Best for: Accent and task lighting
- Cost of fixture: $10–$50
- Features: Adjustable to point light anywhere; strong, precise light source; small light coverage area
- Best for: Accent and task lighting
- Cost of fixture: $20–$50
- Features: Many styles to choose from; need less bright bulbs because suspended closer to ground; even light dispersal
- Best for: Small spaces; decorative, accent, and task lighting
- Cost of fixture: $100–$1,000
For suspended lights like pendant lights, a good rule to follow is to leave seven feet of clearance from the bottom of the fixture to the floor, and when mounting above a table, leave 30 to 36 inches of room from the bottom of the fixture to the table.
- Features: Minimalist design; diffuses light evenly; recessed bulb; size options
- Best for: Ambient lighting
- Cost of fixture: $50–$150
- Features: No visible bulbs; flush with ceiling; many styles to choose from; large in size
- Best for: Ambient and decorative lighting; low ceiling heights
- Cost of fixture: $40–$250
- Features: Many style options; diffuse light evenly; exposed fixture; illuminates large surface areas
- Best for: High ceiling spaces; ambient lighting
- Cost of fixture: $100–$1,000
- Features: Even lighting throughout entire space; completely concealed light source; makes space appear bigger; many style options; laborious installation
- Best for: Large spaces; ambient lighting
- Cost of fixture: $10–$500
- Features: Attached directly to ceiling; disperses light evenly over large areas; many different style options
- Best for: Ambient lighting
- Cost of fixture: $50–$500
- Features: Highly customizable; multidirectional light dispersal; adjustable options; can cover large or precise areas with light
- Best for: Ambient, task, or accent lighting
- Cost of fixture: $20–$200
- Features: Low profile; many different style types; disperses light evenly over medium-sized areas; easy to install
- Best for: Tight ceiling spaces; ambient and task lighting
- Cost of fixture: $15–$150
- Features: Concealed by sunken ceiling feature; soft, widely dispersed light source; makes your space feel taller and more open; typically requires custom installation
- Best for: Ceilings with sunken or coffered features; ambient lighting
- Cost of fixture: $70–$700
- Features: Many style options; disperse light evenly over medium-sized areas; typically placed in sets
- Best for: High ceiling spaces; ambient and task lighting
- Cost of fixture: $100–$1,000
Step 5: Create Your Store Lighting Plan
Now that you have the lighting basics down, you’re ready to put your retail store lighting plan together and get your store lit. As we will cover below, you will do this by layering the four types of lighting using different fixtures and a cohesive tone. The easiest method is to sketch out your lighting ideas onto your retail store floor plan. You can do this by using tracing paper over your store’s blueprint or an online store layout and design tool, like SmartDraw.
However you handle it, the five-step, bottom-up lighting design approach covered below is an easy way to get the results you want and ensure that light covers your entire space and creates the mood you want to elicit. Follow along as we take a look at the lighting plan for the boutique pictured below and map out what it spent to create its stunning scheme.
A boutique that (1) highlights products with accent lighting, (2) uses task lighting to brighten the register, (3) incorporates decorative lighting in the window display, and (4) uses track lights to fill the space with ambient lighting.
By starting with your accent lights, you can build a lighting design with evenly dispersed pops of illumination exactly where you want them.
For example, the boutique pictured above started with versatile ceiling-mounted track lighting and spotlights along the perimeter to highlight its wall product displays.
- Fixtures: (8) 4 bulb adjustable track light systems (~$100 each); (4) spotlights (~$50 each)
- Bulbs: 36 LED bulbs (~$12 each)
- Total Estimated Cost: $1,432
You can also use accent lighting to create contrast, which is when different light sources are layered to create shadows and light around different products or areas. It is a great way to draw customers’ eyes and create a dramatic setting around a product. It is especially useful in window displays, as dramatic lighting will catch the eyes of passersby.
Task lighting, which generally covers a larger area than accent lights, is the next lighting type you will layer on to your space. For this, ask: “What tasks are performed in my shop every day? Let’s light up the places where those activities occur to make them easier and more pleasant.”
The boutique pictured above added a series of pendant lights over the checkout counter and (not pictured) sconces into its fitting rooms and back office and storage spaces.
- Fixtures: (6) flea market pendant light fixtures (~$75 each); (4) wall sconces (~$90 each)
- Bulbs: 10 LED bulbs (~$12 each)
- Total Estimated Cost: $930
Once your accent and task lighting elements are in place, see if there are any areas of your store that lack visual interest and consider whether a decorative lighting element might solve that problem. For example, in the exterior shot of the boutique above, funky LED signs were placed in the window display to add a pop of color and intrigue for passersby.
Using dramatic or decorative lighting in your store windows is a great way to create an eye-catching display. You can learn more about it in our article on creating stunning window displays.
- Fixtures: (9) LED signs (~$45 each)
- Bulbs: N/A
- Total Estimated Cost: $405
Decorative lighting is the lighting type best for attracting the eye and communicating your brand, so be creative and enjoy the design freedom. The right fixture in the right place can make your store memorable. However, decorative lighting must also be in line with your brand to be memorable in a positive light.
For example, if a fun and funky boutique had chosen to install sleek, contemporary chandeliers, the decorative light would become a distraction from its brand rather than an enhancement of the space.
Use ambient lighting to fill the lighting gaps between your accent, task, and decorative fixtures to ensure your entire space is visible to shoppers. The boutique above used track lighting systems to illuminate the center of the store where other light sources did not reach.
- Fixtures: (6) 4 bulb adjustable track light systems (~$100 each)
- Bulbs: 24 LED bulbs (~$12 each)
- Total Estimated Cost: $888
Retail store light fixtures, especially recessed and track lighting, should be no more than six feet apart to ensure uniform light coverage.
Once your plan is set, it is important to review it and make sure that it is up to code and your planned light sources will cover your space. To do this, you will want to review the standards set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and your estimated light coverage based on your lumen count.
Here, we will look at ADA and IECC codes and review how to calculate your lumens and light coverage.
ADA & IECC Requirements
For commercial buildings, there are certain requirements that you have to meet per the ADA and IECC*. You will want to be sure that you review these requirements and compliance to avoid penalties in the future.
*The IECC is a uniform standard that applies across state lines. There are, however, state-specific codes (ASHRAE/IES 90.1) that you can choose to implement instead. The IECC references ASHRAE/IES 90.1 as an alternative standard, providing a choice to businesses.
- Wall sconces should be no more than 4” from the wall.
- Lights that are less than 27” or more than 80” from the floor do not have depth requirements.
- Wall sconces should be between 2’4” and 6’8” from the floor.
- Light switches should be no more than 48” from the ground.
- Table lamp switches must be within 25” of reach.
- Table lamp switches should be less than 44” from the floor.
- Table and floor lamps should have 30” perimeter of navigation space.
- Lights cannot obstruct bathroom or light switch access.
Light Coverage
To ensure that your plan will look great in real life, you will want to go back to your total lumens as this will help you understand your overall light coverage. The Lighting Research Center recommends that retail stores aim for an ambient light measurement of 1.5 to 2.5 lumens per cubic foot.
To get this, you first need to calculate the cubic area of your retail space, using this formula: Width x Length x Height of your sales floor = Total Cubic Area. Then, multiply that total by 1.5–2.5 to get an estimate of appropriate lumens for the space.
After you determine the total lumens needed to light the space, add the total lumens provided by the bulbs in your lighting plan. Does the total number of lumens in your plan come close to the lumens needed per your cubic foot formula? If it’s close, then you’re on track. If your plan’s total lumens is greater, you can pare back lighting in some areas. If it’s lower than the recommended amount, you may need to fill in some gaps with more ambient lighting.
Mirrors are an inexpensive way to boost the light throughout your space and brighten your store. In spaces that need a touch more light, a mirror is a low-cost alternative to adding new wiring and fixtures.
Step 6: Price It Out—Retail Store Lighting Cost Calculator
With your lighting plan sketched out and ready, it’s time to figure out just how much everything is going to cost. Doing this before you press buy will help you stay on budget and give you time to make adjustments before you end up in a costly hole. Use our retail store calculator below to fill in your projected fixture and bulb quantities and to see an estimated cost analysis of your store lighting plan.
Bottom Line
Designing a retail store lighting scheme involves many factors, including bulbs, fixtures, and accent, task, decorative, and ambient lighting. Using the process and tips covered above, you are ready to develop a retail lighting plan that keeps your space visible and enhances both your customer experience and brand.
To learn about other visual merchandising practices and how you can implement them effectively, check out our visual merchandising guide.
