Skylights are a stunning way to bring natural light into your home, but are they enough on their own? Not quite. Many of us assume a skylight will do all the work, only to realise our room still feels dull or impractical once the sun sets.
So how do you light a space with a roof lantern at night? And What affects the cost of bespoke roof lantern lighting? Whether you’re restoring a period property or designing from scratch, layered artificial lighting remains essential- not just for evening use, but for ambience, mood and function on even the cloudiest days.
In this guide, our Director and lighting designer, Simon Wallis-Smith, shares expert advice to help you light your space that features a roof lantern beautifully and effectively. You’ll come away with clear answers, inspiring ideas, and practical tips to get it right the first time.
When retro-fitting lighting into an existing roof lantern or skylight, a few simple checks make all the difference and ensure a smooth and easy process.
Structural & Wiring Checks
Builder, electrician, or specialist?
Typically, your builder and electrician will handle the installation, with fittings supplied by your lighting designer or manufacturer.
How do we do it? When we work with you on a project, we’re happy to support the process from design through to install, helping to ensure everything runs smoothly on site. While your own contractor and electrician will carry out the final fit, we can liaise directly with them to make sure the details are just right.
And because we know our fittings inside out – after all, we make them. We can also offer an on-site installation service if preferred. This is an optional, chargeable service designed to give you peace of mind, particularly on more complex or bespoke projects.
Understanding the installation
Every space is different and when it comes to lighting, there’s rarely a one size fits all solution. While we always recommend a tailored approach, here are some of the most common methods used to install fittings in skylight and roof lantern voids.
Lighting for your Skylight or roof-lantern depends on multiple factors and is rarely the cheapest option. That said, it doesn’t always mean expensive. Working with a professional lighting designer, they will have the skills & knowledge to work within a range of budgets to create something truly unique to your space.
What Impacts the Price?
The cost of a light designed for a skylight or roof lantern can vary widely depending on several key factors:
In the left image, you’ll see three standard Wellington pendant lights. These could be installed without any customisation because the space between the skylights includes a joist providing a solid fixing point for the pendants.
In contrast, the right image shows a more complex scenario: there’s no available structure to fix a standard light fitting. In this case, we need to design a bespoke solution that can safely support the weight of the fitting and complement the architectural layout.
Why does this matter?
Standard products are more cost-effective because the design and manufacturing costs are spread across multiple fittings. A custom solution, however, is tailored to your space so it takes more time, involves unique components, and therefore typically comes at a higher cost. But it also delivers something completely unique to your home.
If you’re looking for a distinctive look on a more modest budget, look for ready-made cluster lights, these offer a beautiful solution. They deliver the style and presence of a custom centre piece, but without the design costs associated with starting from scratch, but there are limitations with the installation options for these tricky to light spaces.
We’d love to help. Whether you’d prefer to book a call, arrange a virtual appointment, or (even better) visit one of our showrooms in person, our team would be delighted to guide you.
We’ve worked on endless amounts of lighting schemes for a wide variety of spaces featuring skylights and roof lanterns. From heritage renovations to modern extensions. We understand that while these architectural elements bring in beautiful natural light, they also present unique challenges when it comes to lighting design.
What sets us apart is our hands-on, collaborative approach. We liaise directly with your on-site team, including electricians and builders this ensures everything runs smoothly. We also advise on important structural details, such as ceiling voids, access routes, and load-bearing requirements.
Our tailored suspension solutions, including flush plates and bespoke lighting trays, are designed to integrate seamlessly with your architecture, all while preserving the natural light from your roof lantern.
We don’t just sell a light fitting, Every design that leaves our workshop will includes technical drawings and and clear fitting instructions, making it easy for your builders or electricians to get it right. Not only that, need help on-site or virtually? We’re available to support you during installation too!
* Please note that additional services such as on-site installation support will be quoted upon request.
All our handmade fittings come with a Lifetime Craftsmanship Assurance, and our team is always here for aftercare, advice, and maintenance guidance, long after installation is complete.
Looking for lighting ideas that complement your skylight or roof lantern? Here are our go-to lighting solutions, as recommended by our director, Simon.
Cluster Pendants in Stairwells
Hanging a cluster of pendants from the apex of a roof lantern creates a dramatic focal point, particularly effective in double-height spaces like stairwells.
Braced Pendants Over Tables and Islands
Where skylights are positioned above kitchen islands or dining tables, bespoke metal bracing straps can be used to suspend pendants – providing essential task lighting while respecting the architectural design.
Wall and Picture Lights
These add another layer of illumination and are excellent for creating depth, enhancing ambience, and highlighting key features or artwork.
Antique Chandeliers or Lanterns
Suspended within a roof lantern, these create a striking centrepiece and are ideal for both classic and contemporary interiors.
5-Amp Circuits for Table and Floor Lamps
Low-level lighting on dedicated 5-amp circuits offers flexibility, allowing the atmosphere to be adapted for different activities and times of day.
Layered Lighting Is Key
As with any effective scheme, layering ambient, task, and accent lighting ensures the space is both functional and visually balanced.
Trimless Recessed Downlights
These discreet fittings are ideal for filling in any shadowy areas without interrupting the overall aesthetic.
Thoughtful Control Systems
Integrating dimmable circuits and smart lighting controls allows users to finely tune the lighting levels throughout the day – balancing natural and artificial light with ease and creating the desired mood at the touch of a button.
A sculptural, British-made chandelier designed for a landmark Hyde Park home. Engineered for precision, crafted for beauty, and built to become a future heirloom.
Bespoke made for a home with a three floor atrium and central skylight. This was one of our favourite residential lighting projects and is well worth a closer look.
Skylights are excellent for introducing natural light into a space during daylight hours, enhancing both ambience and overall aesthetic. However, they can fall short on overcast days and provide no illumination at night.
Importantly, skylights also lack the focused or controllable lighting needed for everyday tasks, making them an incomplete solution for general or functional lighting requirements.
No, they don’t. While skylights enhance natural daylight, they cannot replace the comprehensive functionality of well-designed artificial lighting. A thoughtfully planned lighting scheme delivers consistent illumination across all times of day, covering ambient, task, and accent lighting needs. It also allows flexibility to adapt to how a space is used, whether it’s functioning as a home office, a dining area, or transitioning to a relaxed lounge setting.
Yes, you can and we regularly collaborate with interior designers, architects, and homeowners to do just that.
For skylights, we often use bespoke metal bracing to suspend a pendant light centrally beneath the opening. With roof lanterns, we work alongside structural engineers to assess load capacity and design fittings that can safely hang from the apex .this is especially effective in double-height spaces like stairwells.
That depends entirely on the quality of the fitting you choose.
A well-made, professionally installed light should last for decades, but longevity comes down to more than just looks. High-quality fittings are built to stand the test of time, offering:
Serviceability – so parts can be repaired or replaced, not discarded
Durable materials – such as solid brass or glass, rather than plastic or plated components
Aftercare support – to help with adjustments or upgrades over time
Optional maintenance plans – to ensure continued performance and safety
If you’re investing in a skylight or roof lantern lighting scheme, it’s worth choosing a fitting that’s designed not just to shine – but to last.
Absolutely. All our fittings are made to order, which means we can tailor the finish, size, drop, and even the style to suit your space perfectly. Whether you’re working with a tricky void, a listed property, or just want to get the proportions spot on, we’ll work with you to create a solution that feels just right, both visually and practically.
If you’re not sure where to start, our design team is always happy to guide you through the options.
