In a hotel lobby, the light fitting is part of the architecture. It is the first thing guests look up at, and it is usually in the photographs. Restaurants and bars lean on a feature light just as hard, because it carries the brand while the rest of the lighting stays out of the way.
Catalogue pieces rarely fit those spots without compromise. The drop is wrong, the width is wrong, or the finish does not match the metalwork two metres away. That is the case for custom lighting. It also comes with decisions that need making early, and this guide lists them.
When custom is worth it
Custom makes sense when at least one of these is true.
- The space is unusual. A double-height lobby or a stairwell void needs a piece scaled to the volume, not the nearest catalogue size.
- The look is tied to the brand or the design concept, and nothing off the shelf matches it.
- You need several identical pieces, say over a bar or along a restaurant, and want them to match exactly.
- The finish has to match something fixed, such as brass joinery or a stone wall.
If none of these apply, a good catalogue fitting is usually faster and cheaper. We have written a plain comparison of custom versus off-the-shelf pendants if you are unsure.
Size it to the room, then check the ceiling
Getting the scale right is the hardest part of lobby lighting. Our guide to choosing a chandelier size for a home covers the general method of matching size to room. For a hotel lobby, three extra points matter.
The first is viewing distance. A lobby piece is seen from the door, from the lift and from the mezzanine. A fitting that looks generous at ground level can look small from the first floor.
The second is the fixing point. A large chandelier is heavy, and the ceiling has to carry it. Before design is finalised, find out the allowable load at the fixing point from whoever is responsible for the structure, and give that number to the designer. We would rather design to a known limit than find out late.
The third is access. Someone will have to clean and relamp this fitting for years. Tell us how that will be done, whether by scaffold, a lift platform or a winch, because it affects how the piece is built.
Light level and layers
A feature fitting is rarely the main source of light, and it should not try to be. In a lobby, the chandelier sets the mood while the downlights and wall lights handle the working light. Look at your brief for the lux you need at the desk and in the seating area, and let the custom piece add warmth on top.
Restaurants follow the same logic. SS 531-1 lists 200 lux for restaurant and dining areas and notes the lighting should create an intimate atmosphere, with 500 lux for kitchens. So a pendant over a table is mostly about glow and glare control, not brightness. Ask for a diffuser or shade that hides the source, and check how it looks at eye level when seated. Our notes on lighting a small shop or café go through this in more detail.
Time: plan from approval
A custom piece takes around 2 months from design approval at Home Genie, depending on complexity. The clock starts when the design is signed off, not when you first call.
On a fit-out programme, that means three dates to put in early: when the design is due for approval, when the piece is due on site, and when it is due to be hung. Slow approvals are the most common cause of lights arriving late, so it is worth deciding who signs off on your side.
Each piece is made to order, so change-of-mind refunds are not offered. Please review the drawings and finish samples carefully before you approve.
What we will ask you for
A short brief helps a lot. Send what you have.
- Photos or drawings of the space, with ceiling height and any known load limit
- A mood board, sketch or reference image
- The finish and colour you are matching
- Quantity and where each piece goes
- Your programme, including when you need it hung
Reference images and a rough sketch are enough to start. We then arrange a free first consultation, and site visits are available where it helps. After design approval, we make the piece and it comes with a 1-year product warranty.
Installation
Hanging a large fitting is not a DIY job. Tell us at the start whether you want our installers to hang it, so the weight, the fixing and the access are planned together. For large pieces, we assess the job and the access requirements first, by site visit.
Talk to us
We have worked on lighting for hotels, F&B outlets, offices and commercial fit-outs.
WhatsApp 8837 6682 with your photos and programme, or look at our custom lighting design and fabrication page. For hotel and hospitality buyers, our guide to choosing a hotel lighting supplier lists what to ask before you commit.
FAQ
Can Home Genie make a custom chandelier for a hotel lobby?
Yes, we take on custom chandeliers, pendants and feature lighting for businesses, designers and contractors. Send us photos or drawings of the lobby and your brief, and we will tell you what is realistic for the size. The first consultation is free and site visits are available.
How long does a custom light take?
Around 2 months from design approval, depending on complexity. Plan from the approval date, not the enquiry date.
What do I need to send for a custom lighting quote?
Photos or drawings of the space, the ceiling height and any known load limit, a reference image or sketch, the finish you want, quantity and your programme.
Is there a warranty on custom lighting?
Yes. Custom pieces come with a 1-year product warranty. Because each piece is made to order, change-of-mind refunds are not offered.
Do you work with interior designers and contractors?
Yes. We work with businesses, designers and contractors, and pricing is discussed per project. WhatsApp 8837 6682.
