Adding rooflights can completely change the feel of a room. They open up spaces, pull in natural light, and can make even the gloomiest corner feel fresh and welcoming. But not every room benefits equally. In fact, some spaces can be made worse if the placement isn’t considered carefully.
If you’re thinking about where to put rooflights in your home, it’s worth knowing which rooms make the most of them and which should probably be left alone.
Best Rooms for Rooflights
1. Kitchens
The kitchen is often the busiest space in a home, and it deserves to be bright and inviting. Rooflights here do more than just improve the lighting. They help ventilate, reduce cooking smells, and make a big impact on mood, especially during long grey seasons.
If your kitchen is in the middle of the house or lacks windows on one side, a rooflight can bring in light from above without needing to alter the walls. Just be mindful of positioning. Avoid placing it directly over hobs or extractor fans, as condensation can be an issue. Go for central or rear areas where it can flood the space with daylight without causing glare or heat spots.
2. Hallways and Stairwells
These spaces are often tight, enclosed, and at risk of feeling dark no matter how good your interior lighting is. Rooflights work brilliantly here. A narrow hallway can suddenly feel spacious, and a staircase lit from above gives the whole house a lift.
Natural light from above also helps people orient themselves in a home. Light naturally draws you through the space. That’s why rooflights in these transitional areas do more than just brighten—they also guide flow and movement.
3. Bathrooms
A bathroom with a rooflight feels fresh, clean, and surprisingly private. Because the light comes from above, there’s no need to worry about neighbours or passing foot traffic seeing in. This makes them ideal in urban or high-density areas.
Rooflights here also help with airflow and steam management, especially if they can be opened. Just be sure the glass is treated for privacy or placed high enough to remove the need for blinds.
4. Home Offices
More people are working from home than ever before. If you’re turning a room into a workspace, lighting becomes critical. A well-placed rooflight can reduce reliance on artificial light, cut down on screen glare, and create a healthier environment overall.
It also has a psychological benefit. Natural light in your home office keeps you alert and more focused throughout the day. Unlike traditional windows, rooflights avoid distractions from street-level activity, making them a smart option for anyone who needs to concentrate.
5. Loft Conversions
It’s one of the most obvious spots, but also one of the most effective. Lofts are naturally darker spaces, and rooflights are often the only real source of natural light. A well-designed layout with multiple rooflights can turn a low-ceilinged loft into a stunning, usable room.
Whether it’s a bedroom, studio, or spare lounge, rooflights here can create a bright, open atmosphere with dramatic sky views.
Rooms Where Rooflights Might Not Work
Rooflights can be a brilliant upgrade, but there are places where they cause more problems than they solve. Here’s where caution is essential.
1. Bedrooms (in certain climates)
While natural light in a bedroom sounds lovely, rooflights can make it hard to control light levels. Bright early mornings and long summer days can disrupt sleep if blinds or blackout coverings aren’t perfect.
There’s also the noise factor. Rain can sound loud on a rooflight, which might disturb light sleepers. If you’re set on adding one in a bedroom, think carefully about placement, glazing, and how you’ll manage insulation and blackout control.
2. TV or Media Rooms
Darkness is your friend in a media room. Rooflights can cause glare on screens, reduce visibility, and create a frustrating viewing experience. If you’re creating a space primarily for watching films, gaming, or using large displays, a rooflight could be a drawback unless it’s fully shaded or fitted with blackout blinds.
Even then, you might be fighting with light angles during the day. These rooms usually work better with controlled artificial lighting.
3. Storage Areas and Utility Rooms
While rooflights can technically go anywhere, they don’t always make sense in practical spaces. Utility rooms, for example, are rarely places you want or need natural light. The same goes for large storage areas or boiler cupboards. These rooms rely more on functionality than atmosphere.
Fitting rooflights here can be an unnecessary expense and may even make things harder. More sunlight means more heat and potential fading of stored items or materials.
4. Rooms Under Trees or in Heavy Shade
If the roof above a room is covered by large trees or sits in deep shade from surrounding buildings, a rooflight might not do much. In some cases, it can even make things worse by highlighting how little light comes in.
It’s also worth thinking about maintenance. A rooflight under a tree canopy will collect debris, sap, and bird droppings quickly. If it’s hard to reach for cleaning, it can start to look grimy and block the very light it was meant to add.
Light Where It Matters Most
Rooflights are one of the best ways to add brightness and life to a home, but only when used with care. They work best in spaces where natural light adds real value—in mood, functionality, and layout. But they can be a mistake in the wrong place, bringing light where it’s not wanted, or heat where it’s not needed.
