How to Choose the Right Ceiling Lights for Every Room

Ceiling lights are the often a focal point of a space. They set the mood, bring balance to interiors, and often act as the finishing touch that ties a design scheme together. Choosing the right style for each space is important, whether in a private home or creating a luxury interior for hotel guests.

Northern Lights design and manufacture our luxury Signature Collection of lighting in Derbyshire, UK, combining artisan skills with modern innovation.  We also offer a Ready to Ship range of lighting that British-designed and available in as little as five days.

Our Ceiling Lights Collection includes everything from sculptural pendants to discreet flush fittings, offering a huge choice of luxury chandeliers and modern pendant lights. Here’s a practical guide to help you choose the perfect ceiling light for every room.

Living Room

The living room is a multi-use space where both relaxation and entertaining unfold.  This means layering lighting is key to tailor the ambience using a combination of ceiling, table and floor lamps to set the mood, define the space and reflect the interior style. As table lamps are more commonly used in the evenings, a ceiling light should offer beautiful aesthetics when both illuminated and unlit.

Best styles: chandeliers, multi-arm pendants, or contemporary sculptural fittings for a statement look.

Tip: Choose a light that suits the scale of the room. High ceilings benefit from larger designs, while compact rooms work best with medium-sized pendants.

Explore our contemporary ceiling lights to find pieces that bring both character and atmosphere into living spaces.

Dining Room

Lighting above a dining table should create a warm, welcoming setting while adding visual drama.  Choosing fittings that are dimmable allow you to control the mood - from full brightness for breakfast and lunches, to a softer, more intimate feel for evening dining.

Best styles: linear pendants, clusters, or wide drum shades suspended above the table.  Alternatively, opt for single pendants in different shapes and colours, and suspend them at different heights to create your own unique lighting display.

Tip: Choose a fitting that’s one-third of the table’s length, hung low enough to frame the space but without obstructing views.

Having created bespoke dining lighting for leading restaurants across the world, our team knows a thing or two about bringing the right ambience to dining spaces. Visit our restaurant lighting page to see how statement pendants transform dining experiences, and get inspiration for your space.

Bedroom

Bedrooms call for softer, more diffused ceiling lighting that promotes a calm, relaxing environment.  Materials selection and colour palettes are key for bedroom spaces.  Neutral shades paired with brass finishes give a timeless sophisticated look, whilst glass offers transparency that diffuses rather than dominates.  Choose coloured glass in blues and greens for a zen-like feel, or warm amber and smoked glass for a sophisticated take on retro.  Natural alabaster stone is a great choice for making a bedroom feel plush and luxurious and works equally well with both minimalist, understated schemes and richly layered spaces.

Best styles: flush mounts, fabric pendants, or frosted glass fittings.

Tip: Warm white bulbs are best for creating a restful atmosphere, while dimmable options allow for flexibility.  Avoid using cold, harsh bulbs that make the room less calming and ambient.  Pendants can also be used in place of bedside table lamps for a modern feel.

For interior designers and trade professionals, the ceiling lights in our Luxury Signature Collection can be tailored with specialist finishes, ensuring they blend seamlessly with your chosen scheme.

Kitchen

The kitchen is both a practical and social space, so ceiling lighting should provide functional lighting where it’s needed most whilst enhancing the space.  It’s here in the heart of the home that functional and decorative lighting should work together in harmony.  Ceiling spotlights or track spotlights above cooking areas bring task lighting where it’s needed most, whilst decorative pendants above an island or breakfast bar add style and interest to the space.

Best styles: pendants above islands, track-style ceiling fittings, or flush lights for work areas.

Tip: Use cooler bulbs in prep zones for visibility, and warmer tones above social areas to keep the mood inviting.  Don’t hang pendant lights too low – this keeps the space unobstructed and also prevents damage from heat, steam and splashes.

Browse our pendant ceiling lights for designs that combine function and elegance.

Hallway and Entrance

Hallways and entrances set the tone from the moment you enter the property. Lighting here should be both practical and eye-catching.  For long, narrow hallways or those without high ceilings, flush or semi-flush ceiling lights can make the space feel wider.  Choosing options that are overly large or hung too low have the opposite effect.

Best styles: chandeliers or bold pendants can work well in spacious entrances, but unless the hallway benefits from heigh ceilings, avoid designs that hang too low. Opt for flush, semi-flush or compact ceiling lights for smaller hallways.

Tip: Position lights evenly along the hallway to visually extend its length and create a sense of balance.  Depending on the space and layout, use wall lights with shorter projections to free up ceiling height while still adding impact.

Bathroom

Bathrooms require safe fittings that can withstand moisture without sacrificing design.  There are two types of ratings - IP44 and IP65.  IP44 fittings are suitable for areas exposed to occasional splashes or steam, such as beside a basin or outside the shower enclosure. For zones with direct water contact - like directly above a shower or bath - IP65 protection is required for safety. In the IP rating system, the first digit refers to protection against solids (with ‘6’ denoting dust-tight), while the second digit relates to water resistance (‘4’ for splashes, ‘5’ for water jets).

Best styles: Pair cool spotlights with decorative flush ceiling and wall lights in warm white that operate independently, letting you choose between bright, revitalising light and soft, warm ambience.

Tip: Always choose a light with the correct IP safety rating for each bathroom zone. Anti-corrosive finishes and materials like metal, glass and natural stones will stand the test of time, offering beautiful lighting without deterioration.  Avoid porous materials like fabric and wood – both of which can attract mould growth in humid bathroom environments.

Finishes and Bulb Warmth

The finish of a ceiling light has a huge impact on the overall design. Northern Lights offers an extensive range of finishes, from antique brass to reactive ceramic glazes.  Whether acid-treated, hand painted or glazed, the quality of the finish is paramount.  Cheap finishes come with a price - flaking paint and inconsistency make ceiling lights quickly look worn and tired.  A high-quality finish will ensure the lighting keeps its aesthetics and charm for years to come.

Bulb warmth is equally important. Warm white light (2700K) suits bedrooms and living areas, and anywhere you want a soft, warm and inviting atmosphere to relax and unwind. Neutral or cool white (3000 - 4000K) works well in functional spaces within kitchens and bathrooms where clarity matters.  When layered together, warm and cool light can work in harmony, offering flexible light that adapts to suit.

When to Choose Bespoke

Ceiling heights, unusual proportions, or a specific design vision may call for a bespoke solution. The team at Northern Lights specialises in adapting scale, developing custom finishes, and designing one-of-a-kind pieces for interior designers, property developers, architects and procurement specialists.

Our Projects showcase this versatility, from grand chandeliers at Shanghai Me London to modern sculptural ceiling lights at Le Jardin de Verre, Paris. Every detail is carefully considered by our design team and handcrafted by our artisans,  creating lighting that celebrates unique interiors and design narratives.

Conclusion
Choosing the right ceiling light is about finding the perfect balance of scale, finish, and atmosphere for each room. Whether you’re styling a home or specifying for a larger design project, Northern Lights provide ceiling lighting that is both timeless and tailored.

Discover our Ceiling Lights Collection or speak with our team about our bespoke lighting service.