Look up – what do you see on your ceiling? Probably a white lamp made of glass or plastic, casting cold, even light. Functional, but without a soul. Yet ceiling lighting can be so much more than just brightness from above.
I'm Matthias Stölzle, CEO of LeuchtNatur, and for over ten years I've been grappling with the question: How do we bring life to ceiling lighting? The answer is right on our doorstep – in the forests of Bavaria and Austria, where trees have spent decades developing their unique patterns.
Our wooden ceiling lamps and wooden pendant lamps transform your ceiling from a boring light source into a vibrant element of your home. This is where the magic of natural materials truly shines in ceiling lighting: the light is widely distributed, and every single wood fiber, every grain, is brought to life.
All our wooden pendant lights are made here in Übersee in Chiemgau, where German artisans with decades of experience handcraft each shade. This means: no assembly line, no mass production, but individual attention for every single lamp. This philosophy has shaped LeuchtNatur since its founding in 2013.
Why German craftsmanship makes the difference
At LeuchtNatur, German quality specifically means: every veneer strip is individually selected, inspected, and processed by hand. Our craftsmen in Chiemgau have developed a perfect feel over the years for which piece of wood will look best where. No machine can replace this experience.
For our Nux pendant lamp, for example, each cylindrical shade is individually crafted. The 0.5 mm thin veneer is carefully laid around the form, reinforced with environmentally friendly cellulose fleece, and fitted with a textile edging. This process takes several hours per lamp – but the result is a unique piece that lasts for decades.
The Discus, with its large 55 cm diameter, places even higher demands on craftsmanship. Here, large surfaces must be illuminated evenly, without harsh shadows or uneven zones. Our craftsmen have developed special techniques to position the three E27 sockets to create perfect, diffuse light.
What you will never find in our lamps: plastic parts that become brittle after a few years, or cheap glues that come undone. Instead, we rely on proven materials and joining techniques that our grandfathers already knew – only combined with the latest LED technology.
Ecology as a core principle
Sustainability has been a core value of LeuchtNatur from the very beginning. This starts with material selection: our veneer wood primarily comes from German and Austrian forests. Veneer is the most economical way to use wood – hundreds of lampshades can be made from one trunk, whereas whole trees would be consumed for solid wood products.
Our "Save the Rainforest" veneers go one step further: from fast-growing native woods like poplar or oak, we create decors that deceptively resemble tropical woods through a complex process of pressing, gluing, and dyeing. This way, you get the beauty of exotic woods without harming a single leaf of the rainforest.
The alpine hay for our special wooden pendant lamps comes from Walter Moosmair in South Tyrol, who has been farming organically for generations. His hay grows without pesticides or artificial fertilizers – so pure that you can smell it. You feel this quality every day when the warm light shines through the natural material.
Our ceiling lamp series in detail
The Nux is our elegant answer to modern pendant lighting. With a height of 30 cm and a diameter of 13 cm, it sets precise light accents above dining tables or workspaces. The special feature: it comes individually with a canopy, so you can connect any number of shades in a row. One Nux above a small bistro table, three above a large dining table – exactly as you need it.
The cylindrical shade is available in seven real wood veneers. Olive ash grain brings a Mediterranean flair, European walnut exudes elegance, core beech creates Nordic coziness. The light is filtered by the wood and acquires different degrees of warmth depending on the veneer – from golden with oak to cool and elegant with silver birch.
The Discus is our powerhouse for large rooms. With a diameter of 55 cm, it perfectly illuminates large dining tables or living areas. It is available as both a pendant lamp (20 cm high) and a flat ceiling lamp (15 cm high). The three E27 sockets provide ample brightness, while the diffuser distributes the light evenly and glare-free.
The Discus with alpine hay or leaf veneer is particularly impressive. The large format showcases the natural structures in full splendor – every blade of grass, every leaf vein becomes visible when lit, creating vibrant patterns on the ceiling.
Why wood is the perfect material for ceiling lighting
Wooden pendant lamps have decisive advantages over glass or metal: wood naturally filters LED light, making it warm and cozy. While cool materials often allow sterile LED light to pass through unchanged, wood transforms it into inviting, relaxing light.
Each type of wood has its own characteristics: core beech creates very warm, honey-colored light – ideal for dining areas where coziness is important. Oak gives the light more structure through its distinctive grain, perfect for rooms with a rustic or classic character. Silver birch, on the other hand, makes the light appear brighter and fresher – optimal for modern, Scandinavian-inspired interiors.
The surface treatment with natural oils enhances these effects even further. It ignites the grain and makes the wood truly come alive when light shines through. This treatment also protects the delicate veneer from moisture and UV radiation.
Regionally produced for global demands
"From Bavaria for the world" – we live this motto every day. Our wooden ceiling lamps are created in traditional craft workshops in Chiemgau, a region known for wood craftsmanship for centuries. Here, generations of cabinetmakers and carpenters have perfected their skills.
This heritage flows into each of our lamps. The craftsmen know every type of wood, understand its peculiarities, and can process it optimally. They sense when a veneer strip is under tension and might crack, they see where the most beautiful grains lie, they smell if the wood is properly dried.
This sensory experience and traditional knowledge cannot be replaced by modern manufacturing techniques. That's why we consciously rely on these old skills – combined with the latest LED technology and contemporary design.
The right ceiling lamp for every room
Dining rooms benefit from the warm, inviting atmosphere of a Discus with walnut or core beech. The large, diffuse light creates perfect conditions for dining and conversation. Several Nux in a row above a long table set elegant accents.
Living rooms shine under a Discus with alpine hay or poplar grain in natural beauty. The organic interplay of light from natural materials brings life into the room and creates relaxed general lighting for cozy evenings.
Kitchens can handle the practical brightness of a Discus ceiling lamp, while the wood veneer provides warmth. Oak or core beech perfectly complement wooden kitchens, silver birch suits modern designs.
As CEO of LeuchtNatur, I can assure you: a wooden pendant lamp made with German craftsmanship is an investment for life. You not only get high-quality light but also a piece of authentic craft culture, made with love and skill in Bavaria. You feel this quality every day – in the warm light, in the solid workmanship, and in the good feeling of owning sustainably produced products.
Further Articles
This article is part of our comprehensive guide on ceiling lamps. There you will find all important information bundled.