The importance of creating an atmosphere or mood in a hospitality setting simply cannot be underestimated. Getting the atmosphere right is absolutely crucial as it influences how your guests feel - and this positive influence on the way they feel is a huge factor in whether they’ll return.
A setting’s atmosphere can create an exceptional experience for its guests. For this reason, there is a huge industry dedicated to helping venues and businesses do this. Using interior and spatial designers, hospitality businesses can essentially engineer how their guests will feel during their stay or visit. Creating an atmosphere or mood is an art in itself, with many, many aspects to consider. Every element is carefully considered and nothing is overlooked. There are several details which, as a guest, often go unnoticed, but are actually the result of a specific strategy developed after months of research. Decor, lighting, furnishing, layout, music and scents have all been thoughtfully chosen to complement one another.
Designers tend to concentrate on four of the senses: hearing, smell, touch and sight. In terms of sound, specially chosen background music is often employed as well as noise-absorbing elements that make sure guests don’t hear the sounds of the establishment functioning. With smell, scents are, again, carefully chosen to evoke particular feelings. Touch is self-explanatory and covers the materials used within the setting. Sight is, in fact, the main focus when designing an atmosphere. It’s estimated that around 80% of our perception is based on what we can see. This is, of course, heavily influenced by lighting, which is what this article will focus on.
Whilst mankind certainly owes a lot to the invention of artificial lighting, it also has its downfalls. Studies show that bright artificial lighting decreases melatonin, a hormone that helps us to fall asleep, and, therefore, makes people feel more alert and active. Perfect in an office or gym environment, for example, but far from ideal if you’re looking to create a welcoming and relaxed ambience in the entrance to a hotel. Natural lighting, on the other hand, increases melatonin (making people feel more relaxed and at ease) and improves mood.
So where can MAJO candles play a part in this? Our candles are large (ranging from 60cm to 1m tall) and have been designed specifically for outdoor use. One of the easiest ways to use to our candles to create an impact is at the entrance to a building. A candle (or two) either side of the door creates a real wow factor and an unforgettable first impression.
Elsewhere, you can use the candles to set the tone and create a relaxing mood in the grounds. The size of both the candles and their flames means they are still noticeable from a distance and look fantastic dotted around garden areas. Some of our clients use them on slightly raised walls or in flowering gardens for a romantic, cosy feel during the evenings and twilight hours. They also work really well in rooftop bars and terraces. These are all great options if you’re looking for something other than a statement entrance. Some of our clients use the candles throughout the summer, some just during certain months and some only bring them out for special events - corporate events or weddings, for example.
Of course, it’s important to remember that these are heavy candles and essentially an open flame, so they shouldn’t be used anywhere where they are likely to become a fire hazard, or anywhere where children may be playing.
When lighting your MAJO candles, we suggest you use a jet flame or butane gas lighter to light the extra-thick wick. To extinguish the large flame at the end of the night neatly, you'll need a snuffer. This is because they're difficult to blow out.
When you purchase your MAJO candle we can advise on the best way to care for the candles. You can also read more about how to care for your candles on our website.
If you’re interested in purchasing or hiring our candles for your corporate event, hotel, spa or other professional settings, fill in our contact form. Alternatively, you can call on 0207 315 4211 or email hello@majocandles for further information.