Bespoke Lighting for Immersive Hospitality Spaces

When it comes to hospitality design, lighting goes hand-in-hand with the guest experience. Carefully planned lighting can change a space, telling a story and creating memorable experiences. At Northern Lights, we work with designers and architects to craft lighting that turns hospitality spaces into impactful, emotive expereince. Here’s how we’ve collaborated on some of our most innovative projects, blending creativity with functionality to redefine the guest experience.

Lighting as the Storyteller

Lighting has the power to influence how a space feels. In restaurants, it sets the mood for intimate dining; in hotel lobbies, it welcomes guests with warmth and sophistication; and in theatres, it heightens the sense of anticipation. Bespoke lighting adds a layer of storytelling, creating emotional connections through its design and placement.

Below, we’ve selected a few of our favourite projects to undercover how we craft immersive lighting that’s woven into the heart of inherently unique spaces.

The Dreamscape Cloud: Somewhere by Nico

For Somewhere by Nico, Northern Lights collaborated with Studio Two Interiors to create a ceiling installation that feels like stepping into a dream. The ‘dreamscape cloud’—a dramatic, organic form made from delicately shaped mesh panels—fills the space with depth and intrigue.

We combined 3D design models and experimentation with different techniques to create precise production drawings, transforming the initial concept into a functional fixture. Prototyping was key to this project!

Ambient light from strategically placed track spotlights enhanced the cloud’s presence subtly.  The unique design combines dramatic visuals with practical lighting solutions, inviting diners to escape into the space's enchanting atmosphere.

Theatrical Glamour: Heythrop Park Hotel Theatre

The Warwick Wing Theatre at Heythrop Park Hotel is a space designed to dazzle. Northern Lights worked with DesignLSM to create lighting that amplifies the theatre’s sense of drama and decadence.

The centrepiece is a 4.4-metre-wide pendant with over 100 bulbs arranged across 18 arms. This bold fixture, paired with striking arched lights, evokes nostalgic Hollywood glamour while casting a warm, inviting glow. Set against the high ceilings and dark interior, the lighting creates a sense of anticipation and excitement, immersing guests in the theatrical experience.

Dancing Light: Virgin Hotels Glasgow

On the mezzanine level of the Commons Club at Virgin Hotels Glasgow, lighting and art become one. Collaborating with Four-by-Two and Artin Light we handcrafted a domed ceiling light inspired by murals from local artist Meig Sutherland.

Intricately carved steel patterns create the illusion of dancing figures above, while cherry red fringing inside the dome adds a tactile, eccentric detail. This unique design adds intimacy and character to the space, bringing tactility, illumination and inspiration together to create a unique experience for guests viewing below.

A Whimsical Wonderland: The Rosarium

We worked closely with designers Faber and Company to deeply understand the design intent, vision, materiality and overall concept for the space.  The Rosarium is a visual and sensory journey inspired by quintessential English gardens with a surreal twist. Across three distinct spaces, lighting plays a key role in shaping the guest experience. 

In the Glasshouse, three grand 3-metre-wide pendants serve as statement pieces, each crafted with hand-applied antique brass frames, opal acrylic panels, and mirror-polished stainless steel discs. Paired with floral-inspired table lamps in oxide red steel and shaped acrylic petals, they create a layered, immersive glow that enhances the romantic setting.

Elsewhere, rattan pendants in the Secret Garden cast shifting colours through floral cut-outs, adding a dreamlike quality, while the Terrace features a playful mix of industrial lanterns, pastel parasol pendants, and a sculptural neon light weaving across the ceiling.

Collaboration and Craftsmanship

The magic of bespoke lighting lies in collaboration. At Northern Lights, we work closely with designers, architects, and artists to ensure every project aligns with the client’s vision. Our process involves detailed prototyping, material experimentation, and precision engineering, ensuring each fixture is as functional as it is beautiful.

Having all our design and manufacturing capabilities under one roof allows us to refine every detail, from the choice of materials to the final installation. This holistic approach ensures the lighting not only fits the space but enhances its story.

Why Bespoke Lighting Matters

Bespoke lighting isn’t just about creating beautiful fixtures—it’s about crafting an atmosphere. Whether it’s the moody allure of a dreamscape cloud, the theatrical elegance of a Hollywood-inspired pendant, or the artistic flair of dancing figures, lighting transforms how we experience a space.

For hospitality venues, where every detail contributes to the guest experience, lighting is a critical element. It sets the tone, guides the narrative, and creates moments of wonder that guests will remember long after they leave.

Bring Your Vision to Light

At Northern Lights, we specialise in turning bold ideas into breathtaking lighting solutions. From intimate restaurants to grand hotel theatres, we’re here to help you craft lighting that tells a story and captivates your audience.

Explore our portfolio or get in touch to start your bespoke lighting journey today.