In short
How to plan pendant lighting in hotels converted from historic buildings: fixings, ceiling heights, windows, cable routes and protecting original features.
Native by Numa Fitzrovia, a new 29-room hotel on Margaret Street in London, opened in October 2026 inside a converted former convent (Hospitality Net). The convent's original arched sash windows and architectural details have been preserved, alongside interiors with bold forms, rich colours and layered textures (Yahoo News).
Conversions like this are a big opportunity for suspended lighting. Pendants can add warmth and character, but in an old building every fixing and cable route needs thought. This guide covers the practical side.
Start with a survey
Before choosing pendants, find out what the ceiling is made of and what it is carrying. Historic ceilings may be lath and plaster, decorative plasterwork or exposed structure. Ask:
- Can the ceiling take a fixing, or does the load need to go back to a joist or beam?
- Are there features, such as roses or cornices, that must not be disturbed?
- Where can cables run without chasing original surfaces?
- If the building is listed, which works need consent?
Our guide to suspended lighting in refurbishments covers survey questions in more detail.
Working with tall rooms and big windows
Converted buildings often have tall ceilings and large windows. Pendants help bring light down to a human scale.
| Space | Pendant approach |
|---|---|
| Reception and lobby | A single feature pendant or cluster as a focal point |
| Corridors | Small, regularly spaced pendants where ceiling height allows |
| Bedrooms | Pendants beside the bed in place of table lamps |
| Restaurant and bar | Pendants over tables and counters, on dimmers |
Keep pendants clear of window heads and shutters, and think about how they look from the street at night. See suspended lighting for high ceilings and feature pendants for receptions.
Fixings and suspension
- Use suspension kits matched to the pendant's weight
- Choose canopies sized to cover existing holes, or small enough to sit neatly within a rose
- Agree drop lengths on site with a mock-up
The suspension kits, cables and canopies guide explains options, and the pendant height guide covers drops over tables and beds.
Choosing the look
Bold, colourful hotel interiors suit pendants with character: coloured glass, sculptural metal or fabric shades. Mix one or two feature designs with simpler fittings for consistency. Read sculptural pendants for commercial interiors, and for decorative options, browse decorative pendants.
Where pendants are not possible, other options include trimless lighting in listed buildings, and where original fittings are kept, a lighting retrofit for listed buildings.
299 Lighting can design and supply bespoke pendants for heritage hotel projects. Talk to the team about your conversion.
Further reading at 299 Lighting
Next steps on suspendedlighting.com
Planning a suspended scheme?
Send us your layout and ceiling heights. We'll come back with a shortlist, suspension details and LG7 calculations.
Start a project →Frequently asked questions
What is Native by Numa Fitzrovia?
A 29-room hotel on Margaret Street in London, in a converted former convent, which opened in October 2026.
Can you hang pendants from a lath and plaster ceiling?
Not without checking. Survey the ceiling and, where needed, take the load back to a joist or beam rather than relying on the plaster.
Do I need consent to add pendants in a listed building?
Works that affect the character of a listed building may need listed building consent. Check with the local planning authority early.
How do pendants help in rooms with high ceilings?
They bring light down to a human scale and create a focal point, while the ceiling stays visible above.
