Some people plan new room schemes around paint colors or an important piece of furniture such as a sofa or bed — I start mine with the lighting. Whether lamps, sconces, or pendants, lighting is the real tone-setter for an interior design scheme in my opinion, and it's always the first thing I want to get right (and where I'm happy to spend a little bit more of my budget).
With such a pivotal role in design, it's no surprise that lighting trends can be just as fickle as interior design trends on the whole. Light fixtures follow the same life cycle of the trend — gaining popularity until they become oversaturated, and people start to look for new ideas. However, good lighting usually has better longevity than some of the flash-in-the-pan trends we see in decorative accents. The majority of materials and finishes used have a more timeless appeal.
That being said, as an interior design editor, I can't help but notice when everyone is talking about something, and in the world of lighting right now, it's these 5 styles we're seeing in the most inspiring contemporary design projects.
1. Paper lanterns
While traditional paper lanterns are known for their simplicity as a lighting idea, the styles that are trending right now are more reminiscent of - if not vintage finds or reproductions of - the intricate designs by Isamu Noguchi.
These designs come in all shapes and sizes, from table lamps to long, spiraling pendants, from bulbous forms to jutting angular or cuboid designs, but the beauty comes in how this form meets with material. "They bring a serene, soft glow that transforms any room," interior designer Brigitte Romanek explains. "I love the blend of traditional Japanese materials with modern design, it’s the perfect mix of simplicity and sophistication, adding an ambient touch that’s both calming and chic."
Where originals of these iconic lamps stretch into the thousands of dollars, there are plenty of ways to achieve the look of Noguchi lights if you can't get hold of the real thing, without having to opt for cheap imitations (of which there are plenty). Keep your eyes peeled for paper lamps that don't try to match original Noguchis too closely.
Price: $89.99
This paper floor lamp also comes in white, but, in my opinion, the lighter beige papers over offer a more luxurious look.
2. Picture lights
Picture lights are by no means a new idea, but where once they were certainly more the preserve of homes that lean more traditional, they're making huge inroads into more modern interior design schemes, as lighting manufacturers come up with cooler, more contemporary versions.
They represent, I think, one of the easiest and most approachable ways to bring accent lighting into a home — something that's often overlooked unless you work with a professional lighting designer.
Interior designer Maggie Vollrath agrees. "I think accent lighting is a great way to create ambiance within the space," Maggie, the founder of Provision Studios, says, "and we love to layer wall lighting to create opportunities for more visual interest and to highlight our clients' beautiful artwork, of course."
As well as being wired in during a remodel, we're also seeing rechargeable styles offer the opportunity to add picture lights in retroactively, without skimping on style. This cordless design in a bronze finish from Pooky has a modern silhouette that suits all kinds of interior schemes.
Price: $200
No wiring required, this picture light holds a charge for 8 hours and can be controlled by remote.
3. Utility lighting
Where statement lighting is as popular as ever, sometimes you want a design that doesn't demand as much attention. The fine lines of utility lighting such as Lumina's Daphine appear to be designed more with function in mind, but there's an undoubtedly understated beauty to these pieces, too.
"While I almost always opt for vintage lighting, the Lumina Daphine lamps are one of my favorite series — I've used it in almost all of my projects," says interior architect Christina Nydahl of WTP Studios. While its qualities as a table lamp appear to be in its versatility - it can be used for task or accent lighting with ease - it cuts a refreshing figure in a contemporary design scheme, too. "I love its sleek simplicity and how it adds a linear, graphic element to any space," Christina says. "I believe any room could do with a touch of black - it adds a bit of contrast and depth. Particularly in a neutral space, or in a room where the other furniture pieces are doing all the talking, the Lumina lamps add modernity without being too distracting."
Price: $187
For a similar look, search for designs with pared-back silhouettes. This swing arm lamp from Lumens fits the bill.
4. Fabric meets frame
When it comes to statement pendants, the combination of structural forms and soft materials we see in Noguchi paper lighting you can also be created through textiles. The extreme versions of this trend come in designs like Flos' Suspension Pendants, or Normann Copenhagen's Phantom Pendants, but softer, beige-canvas iterations that cling to a pendant frame with a simpler structure balance subtlety with captivating detail.
"These lights play on the contrast between hard and soft," says Livingetc.com's style editor Julia Demer. "Being able to introduce structure, while also adding texture in lighting that has a soft, diffused glow means that they're brilliant all-rounders that bring character, even though they're relatively simple and neutral."
5. Semi-flush over recessed
Recessed downlights have had their day — they don't cast the most flattering light and litter a ceiling, making a space look messy. Instead, designers are choosing more carefully considered task lighting, especially in a space such as a kitchen.
"In interior-designed homes, we're seeing spotlights used over downlights, but not in recessed styles," says Hugh Metcalf, an editor for Livingetc.com. "Semi-flush designs, such as the ones used in this kitchen by Annie Leslau, embrace the materiality of the lighting, rather than hiding it away, while serving the same task lighting, without giving 'big light' energy."
"A lot of the designers I talk to are equally over recessed LED lighting ideas, too — there's the feeling that they're starting to feel a bit dated."
