Neon lights are back for 2021! Here are our top picks...

The year 2025 has seen a significant shift in lighting design, characterized by an innovative "material remix" that redefines conventional notions of lamps and fixtures. The Domino Good Design Awards for the Lighting category highlight this trend, showcasing products that challenge the status quo through unexpected material combinations, unique finishes, and unprecedented glasswork. These winning designs emphasize a departure from traditional aesthetics, embracing creativity and pushing the boundaries of functional art. The Banda Flush Mount by Ward + Gray was recognized as the Best Flush Mount. This striking, stripe-y glass fixture draws inspiration from the gondoliers of Venice and was meticulously crafted in the historic Italian city. Its design offers a compelling argument for integrating prominent, aesthetically driven overhead lighting, transforming a utilitarian object into a central decorative element within a space. The Best Pendant award went to Huey's Artist’s Edition Maeve Pendant. This piece innovatively translates the Dutch tradition of Delft tile into lighting, featuring intricate hand-painted designs. While Delft tile has recently gained popularity in kitchen aesthetics, its application in lighting is novel, making this pendant a distinctive and charming addition to any interior. The collection also includes two equally appealing sconces. Ford Bostwick's Mira Sconce earned the title of Best Sconce. This color-blocked light fixture transcends its primary function, serving as a piece of wall art even when unilluminated. Its abstract steel components create a sculptural presence, offering both practical illumination and a sophisticated decorative accent that can enhance a room's artistic appeal. For Best Table Lamp, the Gio Table Lamp by SIN was selected. This lamp demonstrates the artistic potential of stoneware, featuring a woven ceramic base coated in an inky-black, iridescent glaze. The finish evokes imagery of the cosmos, bringing a sense of depth and allure to the piece. Virginia Sin successfully elevates a humble material to a luxurious and visually captivating design element. Lee Broom's Chant Portable Lamp was honored as the Best Portable lighting solution. In a market often dominated by metal and plastic in rechargeable, weather-resistant lamps, this design stands out with its handblown glass shade. Coupled with four dimmer settings, the Chant Portable Lamp offers versatility, easily creating a desirable ambiance both indoors and outdoors, emphasizing craftsmanship and material quality in portable lighting solutions. #LightingDesign #HomeDecor #DesignAwards #FlushMount #PendantLight #Sconce #TableLamp #PortableLamp #InteriorDesign

Lighting is a crucial element in interior design, capable of transforming the ambiance and functionality of any room. When selecting lighting, considering the room's purpose is essential; for example, a home gym benefits from bright, energizing light, while a living room might require a cozier, warmer environment. Beyond fixtures, bulb types, color, and intensity significantly impact a space. Bright white light promotes energy, yellow light adds warmth and productivity, blue light offers calmness and mental stimulation, and green light can be soothing. The intensity of light also plays a vital role in creating a first impression. Several lighting trends have emerged in 2023, offering diverse options for home enhancement. The resurgence of glass globe light fixtures, now available in modern, transparent designs, pairs well with Edison bulbs to add style and functionality. These versatile fixtures can be oversized pendants for kitchen islands, linear Sputnik-inspired chandeliers for dining areas, or chic wall sconces for bathrooms. Another trend involves playing with pendant lights and wall paint color, where designers match or contrast pendant shades with wall hues to create a cohesive or striking look. Pendant lights are not only suitable for kitchens and dining rooms but also add a unique casual-chic vibe to bedrooms when hung at varying heights above the headboard. Sustainability is a growing concern, and lighting made from natural materials like rattan or wicker is popular. These materials filter light beautifully, making them ideal for brightening dark corners and complementing natural elements or bohemian decor. Organically-shaped fixtures, enabled by LED technology, prioritize free-flowing, asymmetrical designs over traditional symmetry. These fixtures add visual interest even when off, catering to various styles from sleek modern to bohemian or maximalist, with options like spiral metal chandeliers or artful table lamp bases. Layered lighting, combining ambient, accent, and task lighting, is a trend that creates depth and balance in a room. Ambient light provides overall illumination, task lighting supports specific activities like reading, and accent lighting highlights features such as artwork or displays. This combination results in a harmonious and three-dimensional atmosphere. Mixing metals, once a design taboo, is now embraced, with mirrored brass and burnt steel being prominent choices. Mirrored brass suits modern glam and Art Deco styles, while burnt steel, with its unique rainbow effect when heated, is ideal for industrial kitchens. Metal and marble floor lamps also offer elegant additions to living spaces. Large chandeliers remain popular in 2023, serving as dramatic focal points. Proper sizing is crucial, determined by a room's dimensions to avoid design mistakes. Sculpture or artistic lighting, featuring unusual and distinctive designs, allows homeowners to express personality. Blown or smoked glass fixtures with artistic flair are trending in kitchens and dining rooms. Cordless floor lamps offer versatility and portability, suitable for illuminating dark corners or providing task lighting without outlet constraints. Many are rechargeable, and rechargeable light bulbs offer energy efficiency and flexibility. Recessed LED and smart lighting continue to be popular due to their versatility and energy efficiency. Recessed lighting can provide ambient or accent lighting while remaining hidden, suitable for various applications from general room illumination to display cases. Smart lights, often integrated with LEDs, allow control via smartphone apps, offering dimming, brightness adjustments, and color changes to alter ambiance. Wall sconces provide task or accent lighting without occupying floor space, suitable for hallways, bedrooms, living rooms, and home offices. They can replace pendant lights or table lamps, adding a romantic charm or modern adjustability. Downlights, a form of recessed LED lighting, are used to spotlight architectural features or provide ambient light, with calculations available to determine the number needed for adequate illumination. Earthy light fixtures made from materials like plaster or clay are trending for their sustainability and versatility. Their chalk-white color blends with many designs, appealing to both bohemian and minimalist aesthetics. These natural materials contribute to the growing popularity of sustainable and natural looks in home decor. Ultimately, lighting choices significantly influence a room's mood, and 2023 trends encourage bolder, brighter design schemes that embrace individuality and creativity. #LightingTrends #HomeLighting #InteriorDesign #SmartLighting #SustainableDesign #LightingFixtures #HomeDecor #LayeredLighting #Chandelier

The article delves into the anticipated color trends for 2021, as predicted by leading paint companies and color authorities. Many brands are moving towards hues that evoke feelings of fortitude, optimism, wellness, and a sense of sanctuary, reflecting the uncertain times and a desire for brighter days ahead. The discussion opens with a personal reflection on the challenge of selecting the perfect paint shade for interior spaces, considering factors like light, existing decor, and the desired mood for a room. Pantone Color Institute, a global authority on color, announced a duo for 2021: “Ultimate Gray” and “Illuminating.” “Ultimate Gray,” a midtone neutral, paired with the vibrant yellow “Illuminating,” aims to convey a message of positivity grounded in strength. This combination is highlighted for its practicality, optimism, and ability to instill resilience and hope, making it suitable for living spaces and home offices. Sherwin-Williams presented “Urbane Bronze” as its color of the year, a grayish-brown shade that draws inspiration from metal, stone, and wood. This moody tint is suggested for creating a sense of retreat within personal spaces and harmonizes well with warmer earth tones. A New York City-based holistic interior designer notes its complexity and strength, recommending its use on home exteriors for a striking contrast with natural surroundings or on a focal wall for dramatic effect, especially when paired with blush tones to add warmth. Benjamin Moore selected “Aegean Teal,” an oceanic blue-green, accompanied by a palette of 12 earthy tones including shades reminiscent of clay, soil, and muslin. The brand emphasizes the importance of colors in providing stability and impacting emotional well-being during uncertain times. A designer from LuxySpace describes “Aegean Teal” as calming, with a vintage feel, suggesting it would be an excellent choice for a minimalist millennial loft, embodying modern Zen and creativity when combined with white shades. Behr’s Color Trends 2021 Palette features 21 colors, ranging from neutrals to bold choices. Popular shades include “Smoky White” and “Barnwood Gray,” a versatile neutral with a hint of green suitable for both interior and exterior applications. Warmer tones like “Almond Wisp” (taupe) and “Sierra” (earthy) are also gaining favor. A Wellesley designer observes an 80s vibe in the palette, noting current preferences for chocolate brown, beige, cream, nude, and various yellows. Backdrop, a web-based paint company, highlights earth tones and blues, such as “Surf Camp” (dark blue with green undertones), as fitting for the year. Their terra-cotta-like “Ghost Ranch” offers a warm, earthy accent, while uplifting yellows like “Disco Nap” are also trending. “Disco Nap,” a retro, sunny shade, is recommended for energetic spaces like breakfast nooks or home offices, paired with whites and blues. PPG Paint Brand released its “Be Well” palette of 14 colors, featuring “Transcend” (mid-tone beige), “Big Cypress” (ginger orange), and “Misty Aqua” (muted tropical turquoise). These colors are chosen to evoke wellness and calmness, underscoring color's significant impact on healing and mental well-being, as noted by a senior vice president of a global design firm. Clare, an online paint brand, uses data to identify popular colors, with whites and neutrals being top sellers. A notable increase in sales for cheerful yellows, like “Lemonade,” and pinks, such as “Rosé Season,” indicates consumers' desire for brighter, more uplifting shades. The article concludes with practical advice from a designer on selecting paint: find color inspiration, narrow down options, and test swatches in person, as online representations can be misleading. A paint color-matching device, ColorReader EZ, is also introduced as a tool for precise color matching. #PaintColors #ColorTrends2021 #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #Pantone #SherwinWilliams #BenjaminMoore #Behr #BackdropPaint #PPGPaint #ClarePaint

The article delves into the anticipated color trends for home interiors in 2021, showcasing how various leading paint companies and color authorities have unveiled their picks for the upcoming year. These selections are presented as embodying themes of resilience, optimism, wellness, and a desire for stability, reflecting the global context of the time. Pantone Color Institute, a globally recognized authority in color standards, announced a duo of colors for 2021: "Ultimate Gray," a neutral midtone, and "Illuminating," a vibrant yellow. This combination is described by Leatrice Eiseman, executive director at Pantone, as conveying a message of positivity underpinned by fortitude, blending practicality with warmth and optimism to foster resilience and hope. The article notes that this pairing is particularly suitable for living spaces, including home offices. Sherwin-Williams introduced "Urbane Bronze" as its color of the year, a grayish-brown shade that evokes the richness of natural materials like metal, stone, and wood. This color is positioned as ideal for creating a sense of sanctuary within personal spaces and harmonizes well with warmer earth tones. Holistic interior designer Gala Magriñá suggests using "Urbane Bronze" for home exteriors or as an accent color for doors or focal walls, recommending its pairing with blush pink to add warmth and a contemporary touch. Benjamin Moore selected "Aegean Teal," an oceanic blue-green, as its color of the year, accompanied by a palette of 12 earthy shades. Andrea Magno, Benjamin Moore’s director of color marketing and development, explains that these colors respond to a human yearning for stability amidst uncertainty, highlighting their potential to positively influence emotions and well-being. Lilit Devejian of LuxySpace finds "Aegean Teal" relaxing and suggests pairing it with white, noting its vintage yet modern feel, suitable for minimalistic millennial lofts. Behr's Color Trends 2021 Palette features 21 colors, including popular neutrals like "Smoky White" and "Barnwood Gray," which has a subtle green hint and is versatile for both interior and exterior use. Warmer tones such as "Almond Wisp" (taupe) and "Sierra" (earthy) are also gaining traction. Designer Katie Rosenfeld observes an '80s vibe in the palette and mentions her current preference for chocolate brown, beige, cream, nude, and various yellow shades. Backdrop, an online paint company, through co-founder Natalie Ebel, highlights earth tones and blues like "Surf Camp" (dark blue with green undertones), as well as warm terra-cotta hues such as "Ghost Ranch." Ebel also points to uplifting yellows, including "Disco Nap," as having a significant moment. Magriñá suggests using energetic yellows like "Disco Nap" in breakfast nooks or home offices to create an uplifting atmosphere, recommending pairings with whites and blues. PPG Paint Brand's "Be Well" palette comprises 14 colors, featuring "Transcend" (mid-tone beige), "Big Cypress" (ginger orange), and "Misty Aqua" (muted tropical turquoise). Katie Sprague of CallisonRTKL emphasizes the wellness-promoting and calming effects of these colors, drawing parallels to their use in hospital environments for their impact on healing and mental well-being. Clare, another online paint brand, uses sales data and customer feedback to identify popular colors. Their best-sellers are whites and neutrals, with a notable increase in sales for cheerful yellows like "Lemonade" and pinks such as "Rosé Season," indicating a consumer desire for brighter, more uplifting shades. Angie Hranowsky, a designer from Charleston, S.C., advises against relying solely on online color views. She recommends finding color inspiration from existing decor, narrowing down options, and testing paint samples directly on walls, as digital representations can differ significantly from real-life appearance. The article also mentions a new device, the ColorReader EZ, which helps match desired colors to major paint brands, retailing for $59. #ColorTrends #InteriorDesign #PaintColors #HomeDecor #Pantone #SherwinWilliams #BenjaminMoore #Behr #PPGPaint

Pendant lighting has gained significant popularity in recent years due to its versatility in styles, designs, and materials, making it suitable for a wide array of home decors. Beyond its primary function of illumination, pendant lights can also serve as artistic elements within a home. Depending on their design and placement, they can fulfill various purposes, such as providing task lighting over kitchen islands or dining tables for food preparation, work, or entertaining. In entryways and foyers, they offer a warm and inviting glow. Pendant fixtures can be arranged in groups or clusters, and some designs, like the linear style, integrate multiple hanging pendants into a single fixture, creating a central focal point. Incorporating multiple light sources, including overhead, accent, and task lighting, is beneficial for both enhancing a home's aesthetic and improving its functionality. When selecting pendant lighting, it is essential to consider the form, function, and existing aesthetic of the space to achieve optimal and stylish illumination. Linear-style pendants are a familiar and practical option, characterized by a single ceiling-mounted fixture with multiple integrated lights or a flush-mounted plate from which several individual lights hang. These are particularly well-suited for kitchens, providing a streamlined look over islands and tables, and offering more visual interest than flush-mounted fixtures while being less ornate than chandeliers. Their substantial light output also makes them ideal for offices. They come in diverse styles, accommodating various decors; for instance, caged lightbulbs suit industrial themes, while wood and iron versions complement country and farmhouse aesthetics. When installing linear pendants, the electrical source is a key consideration, as they require wiring for only a single fixture. If wiring is not present, track lighting systems can provide a solution, redirecting electricity and allowing for flexible repositioning of the pendants. Black finishes in pendant lighting are a timeless and increasingly popular trend due to their compatibility with a wide range of color schemes, ensuring that fixtures remain relevant even with changes in paint colors or furniture. This versatility also allows black pendant lights to integrate seamlessly with almost any home décor style. To prevent a stark appearance, black can be paired with other dark hues for grounding, metallic accents, and ample white and grey surfaces to introduce airiness and contrast. For example, in a kitchen with black appliances, using lighter cabinetry colors like light gray or slate, and keeping wall colors bright, can highlight the light fixtures without making the room feel dreary. Sustainable options for pendant lighting are also trending, including upcycling existing items or crafting new fixtures from natural materials like bamboo, sea grass, rattan, or wood. DIY projects, such as creating a jute pendant light, offer cost-effective and unique statement pieces. Additionally, many commercially available fixtures are made from eco-friendly materials like wicker and wood. Pairing sustainable light shades with energy-efficient lightbulbs further reduces a home's carbon footprint and energy consumption. Artistic and oversized pendant lights allow for personal expression and effectively illuminate rooms, particularly those with vaulted ceilings, where they occupy significant open space. Natural materials and weaves that diffuse light are popular choices. Beyond their functional role, artistic lighting adds emotional depth and a human touch to interiors, moving beyond commercially manufactured uniformity. Engaging in interior decorating, especially with unique lighting choices, can also offer mental health benefits by stimulating cognitive skills and providing a creative outlet. Incorporating greenery into pendant lights offers another way to personalize and enhance a space, ranging from artificial plants attached to fixtures to elaborate multi-tiered designs that integrate real plants. Temporary floral lighting installations, made with real flowers, can create whimsical centerpieces for special events. Colorful pendants provide an opportunity to introduce both light and a vibrant pop of color. Options include traditional glass shades or those made from natural materials like palm leaves in earthy tones. Existing clear glass shades can be transformed with colored Mod Podge and food coloring or fabric dye for a custom look. Sculptural pendant designs, similar to artistic styles, offer decorative appeal while providing light. These can echo existing shapes in a room or serve as standalone showpieces with abstract, nature-inspired forms. Handcrafted ethnic options, like black clay pendants, can add a unique conversational element. Lantern and cage-style pendants, often associated with farmhouse décor, also blend well with industrial or mixed decorative styles. They are an economical choice and come in various sizes, allowing for flexible arrangements depending on the room's needs. Blown glass pendants offer artisanal craftsmanship and unique, customizable color combinations, making them ideal for areas where their distinctive beauty can be fully appreciated. Finally, for those seeking truly unique lighting, custom-made options such as cement pendant lights for industrial spaces or rattan basket pendants for country or sunroom settings offer endless possibilities for personalization through materials, shapes, and colors, ensuring a fixture that perfectly aligns with individual style and décor. #PendantLighting #HomeDecor #InteriorDesignTrends #LightingFixtures #SustainableDesign #DIYHomeDecor #KitchenLighting #ArtisticLighting #ModernLighting

The Barava lava lamp, designed by Johnny Betz, represents a modern reinterpretation of the iconic 1970s and 80s lava lamp, integrating smart technology with retro aesthetics. This product capitalizes on the current trend of nostalgia, evident in various cultural phenomena such as 80s music revivals and vintage home decor. Unlike traditional lava lamps, the Barava is app-controlled, smart-home compatible, and features dynamic light syncing with music, offering a contemporary twist to a classic item. Functionally, the Barava is versatile, designed to serve as both a tabletop fixture and a hanging pendant light. Its design aims to be captivating while incorporating several advanced features. The lamp is equipped with a touch-sensitive control for manual operation, but can also be managed via a dedicated app or through smart home assistants, allowing for convenient activation with voice commands. When illuminated, the Barava provides direct light from its base and creates ambient mood lighting through the mesmerizing movement of its internal blobs. The lighting system of the Barava is highly customizable, featuring built-in RGB LEDs that offer access to millions of colors across the entire spectrum. A key feature is its ability to synchronize these colors with music, creating a dynamic visual experience that reacts to auditory input. The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities allows the Barava to seamlessly connect with smart home ecosystems, enabling users to switch it on or off and adjust its settings through voice commands, thereby enhancing its convenience and functionality in a modern living space. The Barava lamp stands 12.2 inches tall and contains a non-toxic, glycol-based 'ooze' within a premium optical-grade glass vessel, facilitating the characteristic arbitrary movement of the lava. Multiple RGB panels are strategically placed to illuminate both the interior of the lava lamp and its base. Activation can be achieved through the app or by simply touching the top or bottom of the fixture. The product is available in two formats: a pendant version that connects to ceiling outlets and a tabletop version that includes a 28-inch tall metal stand. Priced at $289 for the tabletop model and $309 for the pendant version, the Barava includes a 1-year warranty and supports global shipping, positioning itself as a nostalgic yet technologically advanced lighting solution for contemporary homes. #lavaLamp #SmartLighting #RetroDesign #HomeDecor #AppControlled #IoT #MoodLighting #ProductDesign

The Govee RGBIC Neon rope light offers a customizable lighting solution designed to emulate the appearance of traditional neon signs. This review focuses on the 3-meter version, although 2-meter and 5-meter models are also available. The product utilizes RGBIC (Red Green Blue Individually Controlled) lighting technology, featuring 252 individual LEDs divided into 15 controllable lighting segments. It supports a spectrum of 16 million colors and offers smart home connectivity with Google Assistant/Home and Alexa. The rope light is constructed from a rubber-like substance, providing flexibility and water resistance, although the control box itself is not water-resistant. This design allows for various curves and bends, mimicking neon signs, but does not permit sharp 90-degree angles. The package includes the Govee RGBIC Neon rope light, an AC wall plug, 10 mounting brackets (8mm wide, 17mm deep), 10 mounting screws with drywall anchors, 4 alcohol prep pads, and a user manual. The included mounting brackets are considered minimal, with the suggestion that additional brackets are readily available and inexpensive. Installation involves first planning the desired design, then securing the mounting brackets to a surface using adhesive tape or the provided screws. The rope light then pushes into these brackets and is plugged in. From a side view, the mounting brackets and the thick body of the light are noticeable, which can detract from the aesthetic compared to a head-on view. The physical control box features strong adhesive for placement on flat surfaces or concealment. Full customization is achieved through the Govee app, available for iOS and Android. The app offers an extensive range of pre-built and community-shared designs, color palettes, and audio-responsive options. Users can choose between app-controlled or device-controlled audio responsiveness; the latter uses a microphone on the device to react to ambient sound without transmitting audio over the internet, a feature confirmed by network traffic monitoring. For those concerned about connectivity, the device can operate using its built-in lighting modes without a Wi-Fi connection. Each of the 15 segments on the 3-meter rope light can be independently controlled for color, or gradients can be created from color palettes or images. The Google Home and Alexa integrations allow for voice control and app-based management of power and color settings. The light provides a bright output when viewed directly but is not intended as a primary light source, serving better as an accent piece. While highly customizable and effective in mimicking neon, the design could be improved to offer a more polished look from the sides and include more mounting brackets for greater design flexibility. The Govee RGBIC Neon rope light is presented as a durable and cost-effective option for adding creative and customizable lighting elements to a home, with good long-term reliability based on previous Govee product experiences. #Govee #RGBICNeonRopeLight #SmartLighting #LEDLighting #HomeDecor #CustomizableLighting #AccentLighting #SmartHomeIntegration #GadgetReview

Jamb founders Will Fisher and Charlotte Freemantle, known for their bespoke lighting tailored for leading interior designers, are set to launch their new Deco collection. This collection, which will debut at London Design Week, features five distinct pieces that deliberately eschew current trends, focusing instead on timeless design and exceptional craftsmanship. The duo, operating from their London home and studio, emphasizes traditional skills and meticulous attention to detail, a philosophy that stands in contrast to the rapid-fire launch cycles common in contemporary design. The Deco collection is characterized by a glamorous and somewhat majestic aesthetic, designed to soften the edges of each piece in a romantic fashion. This romantic sensibility extends from their previous work, including their distinctive pink room at the Wow! House at Chelsea Harbour Design Centre. Will Fisher's background in studying antique objects heavily influences their design process. The team initiates new designs by identifying original antique pieces that serve as the foundational inspiration. Their deep immersion in historical objects led to the early twentieth-century themes evident in the Deco collection, drawing from movements and periods such as The Bloomsbury Group, the Roaring Twenties, and the Belle Époque. The collection highlights a focus on rich materiality, combining hand-planished metal, luminous alabaster, and shimmering silk textiles to create compelling juxtapositions. Some designs incorporate hand-carved patterns, which are then cast using the traditional lost wax technique, a method Will Fisher describes as the "noblest form of manufacture." Charlotte Freemantle is particularly interested in integrating decorative fabrics, a concept carried over from the Wow! House show, into their new product lines. She notes that drapery softens and diffuses light in a room, and similarly, the textiles in their collection evoke the gentle glow of candlelight, enhancing the overall ambiance. Often described as the "jewelry of the home," lighting in the Deco collection aims to create unique and inviting atmospheres. The pieces are designed to complete and complement diverse interior aesthetics, whether mid-century modern or traditional, effectively bucking trends and potentially establishing new ones. To illustrate their versatility, the designers have photographed the collection in various in situ settings, demonstrating how these objects can seamlessly integrate into different environments. The article specifically mentions pieces like the Hopper Alabaster wall sconce, the Thelma pendant light with its hand-stippled brass frame and optional linen or silk skirt, a new floor lamp styled with antique furniture, and the Hatton Rod, which embodies the Art Deco aesthetic with its alabaster bowl and brass detailing, offering both down and uplighting. The collection will be available from Jamb at 95-97 Pimlico Road, London, and through their website. #JambLighting #DecoCollection #LondonDesignWeek #BespokeLighting #InteriorDesignTrends #AntiqueInspired #Craftsmanship #AlabasterLighting #LuxuryLighting

This article showcases a curated selection of innovative lighting designs observed throughout 2023, highlighting how designers continue to push the boundaries of functionality and aesthetics in illumination. The pieces presented demonstrate a wide array of approaches, from minimalist forms to highly sculptural and technologically integrated solutions, reflecting current trends and advancements in the field of lighting design. Among the featured designs is Atelier de Troupe's Kyoto series, sconce lights distinguished by their unexpected use of cast aluminum, offering a unique texture and materiality to a classic lighting fixture. Bernhard Osann's Bird is introduced as an elegant desk lamp that redefines conventional design by eliminating the base, presenting a clean and airy aesthetic. The article also notes an update to the VL 56 pendant lamps, originally designed by Vilhelm Lauritzen in 1956, showcasing how timeless designs can be reinterpreted for contemporary appeal. Yuchao Lin's Macrozone Fan Lamp presents a more unconventional approach, integrating hidden fan blades that deploy on demand, combining functionality with a sense of playful surprise. Further examples include the Kelvin Epos 300 by Minoko, a precisely adjustable film/photography light with a robust industrial aesthetic, and Jordi Canudas's Dipping Light, which employs a distinctive production method to color its glass lampshades, resulting in unique visual effects. A peculiar lamp from Japanese cosmetics company Shiseido is highlighted, conjectured to be a promotional item from the 1980s, indicating the broader application of lighting in branding and marketing. Lukas Bazle's Méduse pendant lamp offers user-transformable lampshades, allowing for dynamic control over light direction, while Maxime Prananto's Continuous Chandelier challenges traditional notions of luxury lighting by incorporating industrial elements like I-beams and chains with common fluorescent bulbs. Lucas Muñoz Muñoz's B.A.R.E. Lamps are presented as an embodiment of minimum viable product in lighting design, focusing on essential form and function. Studio Huub Ubbens' Unico series showcases sophisticated lamp switches and dimmers, emphasizing the often-overlooked tactile experience of lighting control. Christian Flindt's minimalist bollard lights are featured for their clean lines and suitability for both indoor and outdoor environments. The Bolita lamp by Kaschkasch introduces a kinetic interface, offering an interactive element to lighting. Concept designs like Renaud Defrancesco's Spot, with its dual user-adjustable rotating LEDs, and Naoto Fukasawa's Half Dome series, incorporating subtle haptic touches, point towards future directions in user interaction and sensory experience in lighting. The Dyson Lightcycle Morph Lamp is acknowledged for its intelligent design and multiple applications, despite an aesthetic that prioritizes engineering. Bookman Urban Visibility's lightweight, rechargeable safety lights are noted for their fun form factors catering to pedestrians and cyclists. A 1970s-style manually adjustable Bill lamp concept by Stefanie Kay evokes a nostalgic yet functional design. Inga Sempé's w153 Island offers an improved design for a clamp lamp, enhancing utility and versatility. Keiji Takeuchi's lacquered pendant lamps, inspired by traditional Japanese bowls, combine cultural heritage with modern design. The article also covers outside-the-box innovations such as Stefan Diez's Plusminus lighting system, which utilizes power-conducting webbing straps for flexible installations, and Daniel Schofield's Ray Lamp, a stylish portable lighting solution for both indoor and outdoor use. Alexey Danilin's Amulet Lamp merges hand-blown glass with LEDs for a unique visual effect, while the Funambulb by Superlife is designed for easy portability and hanging. Robert Dabi's Poise Lamp series introduces infinitely-adjustable, impossibly-thin ring-light-like lamps. The evolution of portable lighting is further exemplified by neck lights featuring magnetic, removable flashlights. The Skot lamps by Louis Poulsen, originally designed for maritime use, are highlighted for their aesthetic appeal in terrestrial settings. Govee Curtain Lights are shown to transform walls and windows into animated displays, akin to large-scale Lite-Brites. LED strip lighting on reels, commonly used by European construction workers, is presented as a practical and bright solution for jobsite illumination. Finally, the Philips Ellipse provokes thought on whether the light bulb itself should be considered a design object, encapsulating a broader trend towards aesthetics in every component of lighting. #LightingDesign #IndustrialDesign #ProductDesign #DesignInnovation #HomeLighting #ModernDesign #SustainableDesign #TechIntegration

The year 2021 ushers in a diverse and rich palette of paint colors from leading brands, featuring vivid reds, calming blues, and dramatic earth tones designed to both energize and comfort indoor environments. This trend reflects a growing desire among individuals to infuse their homes with joy and personality, especially as people spend more time within their living spaces. Industry experts, such as Gary Inman of Gary Inman Interior Design and an advisor to the High Point Market Style Spotters, emphasize the significant role color plays in shaping a home's atmosphere and how people are actively seeking ways to enhance their surroundings. Prominent examples of this trend include HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams' 2021 Color of the Year, "Passionate," a bold red from the "Delightfully Daring" collection, chosen to reflect a deeper understanding of what brings happiness and enriches the soul. Similarly, Farrow & Ball's "Preference Red" aligns with this vibrant direction. Global color authority Pantone made a unique selection for 2021, naming two independent colors: "Ultimate Gray" and "Illuminating." The latter, a cheerful yellow, works in conjunction with the gray to convey a message of hope and resilience, bringing a sense of warmth and positivity to any room, as explained by Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. Blue and green hues are also gaining significant traction. Benjamin Moore's 2021 Color of the Year is "Aegean Teal," while Glidden introduced "Aqua Fiesta" as its first-ever accent color of the year. For those seeking deeper blues, options such as Behr’s "Jean Jacket Blue" and "Nocturne Blue," Valspar’s "Blissful Blue" and "Lucy Blue," and Farrow & Ball’s "Ultra Marine" and "Pitch Blue" are popular. "Pitch Blue" is notably described as a strong cobalt blue with a black pigment, reminiscent of dark tar used in roofing, indicating a move towards more intense and sophisticated shades. Furthermore, there is a pronounced embrace of organic materials and colors, a trend attributed to the desire for serenity and safety, particularly in response to global events. "Nature equals serenity and safety," Inman notes, highlighting this shift. Sherwin-Williams' 2021 Color of the Year, "Urbane Bronze," a saturated gray-brown, exemplifies this earthy trend. Autumnal shades like cognac, cinnamon, and burnt orange are also expected to remain strong for several seasons, with examples including Behr’s "Maple Glaze," "Saffron Strands," and "Cellini Gold," along with Valspar’s "Maple Leaf." In an innovative move, PPG introduced its first-ever color palette of the year, named "Be Well," which consists of a trio: "Transcend," a midtone oatmeal; "Big Cypress," a shaded ginger; and "Misty Aqua," a watercolor cerulean blue, all part of a larger group of 14 natural hues. These selections collectively underscore a collective desire for comfort, joy, and a connection to nature through interior design. #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #ColorTrends #PaintColors #DesignTrends #ColorPalette #HomeImprovement #Decorating

The market for smart lighting has expanded significantly, offering intuitive ways to modernize control and interaction with light bulbs, fixtures, and switches. Smart lights provide functionalities such as automated activation upon arrival, brightness adjustments based on time of day, and motion sensor integration for a fully automated lighting setup. This article evaluates and recommends various smart lighting options to cater to diverse needs, all of which are designed for easy installation and compatibility with major smart assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri for hands-free voice control. Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit (Gen 3) is highlighted as a top pick for smart bulbs due to its user-friendly setup, extensive feature set, and control via the Philips Hue app. These bulbs offer 16 million colors and various white shades, can be scheduled, and integrate with Nest or Samsung SmartThings systems. While Bluetooth pairing is available, a Philips Hue Bridge is necessary for remote control, which, despite being additional hardware, is deemed a minor cost for the performance and reliability it provides. The Geeni Prisma LED Smart Bulb is presented as the best value option, ideal for beginners, offering voice control through Alexa, Google Assistant, and Microsoft Cortana. Its app allows for customization of color, saturation, and brightness, featuring millions of colors and various white tones, along with preset and custom light scenes. This bulb operates without a hub but requires a 2.4GHz internet connection. For smart light strips, the LIFX Lightstrip Color Zones is recommended for its ease of setup, intuitive operation, and advanced features. These RGBW LED strips connect to Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, allowing voice control for on/off functions, color changes, brightness adjustments, and scene activation. A distinguishing feature is its eight customizable color zones, enabling diverse lighting effects. The LIFX app provides scheduling, grouping, and a range of lighting effects and preset themes. The Govee Wi-Fi RGB LED Strip Lights are recognized as the best value in this category, offering abundant features at an affordable price. They support Alexa and Google Assistant and provide options for brightness adjustment, scheduling, and over 60 preset lighting scenes via the Govee Home app. These strips can also synchronize with music or movie audio for an immersive experience. Regarding smart in-wall dimmer switches, the Lutron Caséta Smart Lighting Dimmer Switch Starter Kit is highly rated for its quick setup and compatibility with Amazon Echo, Apple HomeKit, and Google Home, as well as other smart home ecosystems like Ring and SmartThings. It notably does not require a neutral wire, making it suitable for older homes. The Meross MSS560 Smart Wi-Fi Dimmer Switch is identified as the best value dimmer, supporting Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, and featuring straightforward installation. This hub-free switch requires a neutral wire and offers basic scheduling and auto-shutoff features. Finally, the Lutron Caséta Smart Switch (PD-6ANS) is acclaimed as the best smart light switch for its reliability, versatility, and integration with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, along with numerous smart home ecosystems. It supports geofencing, scheduling, and scenes. The Geeni TAP Smart Light Switch offers a budget-friendly alternative with easy installation, compatibility with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Microsoft Cortana, and two-factor authentication for enhanced security. #SmartLighting #SmartHome #HomeAutomation #SmartBulbs #SmartSwitches #LEDStrips #VoiceControl #HomeDecor #TechnologyReview

The article explores the top 10 lighting trends predicted to dominate home interiors in 2026, moving beyond mere functionality to emphasize mood, color, and decorative impact. Great lighting schemes are built upon a foundation of layered lighting, balancing ambient, task, and accent illumination. Once this fundamental aspect is established, the focus shifts to the form, finish, and overall aesthetic of the light fittings. One significant trend is the emergence of flexible fittings, such as modular designs that allow for customization in width, height, and layout. These adaptable systems provide creative freedom for designers and homeowners to sculpt light to fit specific spaces, addressing challenges like tricky ceiling beams or off-center areas. Kayli Rowsell, Design Manager at Arteriors, highlights how these multi-point suspension systems enable experimentation with form and balance, treating lighting as a sculptural element. Another trend is "multiplicity," where lighting collections offer a complete family of coordinating fixtures, including chandeliers, wall lights, pendants, floor lamps, and flush mounts, all sharing a consistent design aesthetic. This approach brings continuity and cohesion to open-concept living spaces, simplifying design decisions and ensuring a unified look without being overly matchy. Multiplicity also supports sustainability by encouraging the reuse of materials and components across collections. Mixed materials are also gaining prominence, with designers combining diverse elements like stone composites, metal mesh, leather tassels, and faux shagreen. This trend reflects a desire for warmth and tactility, making light fixtures feel like curated art objects. Brands like Contardi, Crudo Designs, Apparatus Studio, and Arteriors are leading this movement, creating pieces that offer rich textures and visual interest, often with subtle contrasts that enhance the overall design. Color dosing is another key trend, with lighting fixtures becoming a primary source of color accents through boldly tinted glass, enamel, and resin. This provides an immediate burst of personality and elevates the mood of a room. Esther Patterson, founder of Curiousa, notes that colorful lighting can transform a space's ambiance, allowing for vibrant accents or even serving as the central color element in a room. Craftsmanship is being celebrated, with an emphasis on artisanal, hand-finished light fittings that bring authenticity and tactile luxury. Designers like Lee Broom, Tom Raffield, and Inglis Hall are creating pieces that are not only functional but also works of art, using materials such as Carrara marble, steam-bent wood, and brass. This trend reflects an appreciation for personal, enduring designs that can become future heirlooms. Supersize style is making a bold statement, featuring elongated chandeliers, dramatic pendant clusters, and sculptural floor lamps that act as focal points. Rachel Morrison, principal designer at Morrison Interiors, explains that these generous fittings add drama and unexpectedness, commanding attention without overwhelming the space. Their transparency often keeps rooms feeling open and airy, while their scale anchors the design. Sculptural installations are transforming lighting into an art form, moving beyond traditional placements. Interior designers are suspending lights at unexpected angles, clustering them asymmetrically, or scattering them across ceilings to create dynamic and personalized spaces. Benjamin Johnston's use of Wren globe lights is cited as an example of how creative placement can infuse whimsy and shift the mood of a room. Conscious illumination emphasizes sustainability, with designers focusing on provenance, purpose, and storytelling in their creations. Studio Gräfling and Felix Kultau, for instance, transform granite offcuts into luminous sculptures, giving discarded materials a second life. Will Earl of J. Adams & Co. highlights the importance of preserving traditional craftsmanship and creating timeless pieces with a meaningful narrative. Fluid forms are replacing rigid geometry, introducing curves, waves, and organic silhouettes that are inviting and sensual. This shift is driven by a desire for softness, tactility, and emotional resonance in interiors. Jo Annah Kornak, Creative Lead at Holly Hunt, notes that advancements in lighting technology enable more sculptural and expressive forms, exemplified by the Dune Hanging Light, which captures movement in solid alabaster. Finally, quiet lighting, inspired by the quiet luxury trend, focuses on subtle, diffused illumination that creates a cocooning and calm atmosphere without glare. This involves using materials like frosted glass, alabaster, and linen shades, along with hidden LEDs that wash walls and surfaces with warmth. Susie Pfeiffer, founder of Pfeiffer Design, emphasizes the shift towards enhancing a room through discreet, layered lighting that brings calm and balance. #LightingTrends #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #FlexibleLighting #MultiplicityLighting #MixedMaterials #ColorDosing #Craftsmanship #SupersizeLighting #SculpturalInstallations #ConsciousIllumination #FluidForms #QuietLighting

The article explores the emerging interior design trend known as "strategic neon," a concept introduced by interior designer Taylor Simon, who previously popularized the "unexpected red theory." This trend suggests incorporating vibrant neon colors into home interiors in a deliberate and understated manner, moving away from the dominance of neutral palettes. Simon observes a shift in consumer preferences towards more color and patterns, attributing this to a desire for energizing and character-filled spaces. "Strategic neon" is characterized by the careful placement of one or two neon elements, such as a piece of decor, artwork, or even a flower arrangement, rather than overwhelming a room with the color. This approach aims to draw the eye with an unexpected pop of color, adding luminosity and personality without creating an overstimulating effect. Simon explicitly advises against color-drenching an entire room in neon, though she acknowledges that muted lime or pale yellow can be successfully applied in this manner. The core idea is to use neon as an accent that enhances the existing decor, providing a fresh and playful dimension. One effective strategy for integrating neon is to contrast it with natural materials like wood, stone, or linen. This juxtaposition helps to temper the intensity of the neon hues, allowing them to blend more harmoniously into the overall design. The article highlights how this contrast creates an interesting "conflict" that makes the design more captivating. Interior designer Lauren Sweet-Schuler supports this, suggesting that neon works well within a monochromatic scheme, where a neon version of the dominant color can introduce subtle interest and dimension. She also recommends using neon in small doses, such as in books, lighting fixtures, or small shelf accessories, as artwork is an accessible way to introduce the color. The trend aligns with a broader movement towards "Playfulism" in home decor, where designers and homeowners are embracing new ways to infuse personality and fun into their living spaces. The article showcases examples, such as a maximalist kitchen featuring a neon yellow range hood against a black and white checkerboard tile backsplash and peach cabinets, illustrating how vibrant colors can energize classic elements. This bold yet calculated use of color is seen as a daring and stylish approach to interior design, encouraging homeowners to experiment with unexpected elements to curate a unique and expressive environment. The article concludes by encouraging readers to consider if they are bold enough to adopt this "strategic neon" trend in their homes. #StrategicNeon #InteriorDesignTrends #ColorTheory #HomeDecor #AccentColors #Playfulism #DesignInspiration #2025Trends #UnexpectedColor

The article explores the top lighting trends for 2024, emphasizing how proper lighting significantly influences a home's aesthetic and mood. It highlights several key trends, beginning with the fusion of modern and traditional designs. This trend features lights that combine classic styles with contemporary elements, often incorporating brass or black finishes to create a statement piece, particularly in hallways or over dining tables. The Eamon 6 light pendant is cited as an example, seamlessly blending old and new aesthetics. Marble continues to be a prominent design element, aligning with the ongoing deco/luxe aesthetic. Its application in lighting, whether as a base, a component of a pendant, or an accent, helps to integrate the room's design, especially when marble is used for other surfaces. The article suggests pairing marble lighting with velvet lounges to enhance an opulent feel. Natural textures maintain their popularity, especially in coastal settings where a relaxed, beachy interior is desired. Rattan and raffia are favored materials, along with woven basket-style shades. These organic lighting fixtures complement simple, white interiors and can be coordinated with other natural baskets within the room. Handwoven pendants from brands like Her Hands are noted for their appeal in this category. Lighting as art is presented as a trend for making bold statements. Large architectural lights, particularly chandeliers, are suggested for new builds or modern extensions, serving as a crucial element in completing the space's design. Examples from Ronnie and Georgia's work illustrate how statement lighting can elevate a room's overall impact. The resurgence of circular lighting, referred to as "bubbles and bulbs," is discussed. Unlike its earlier iterations, the current trend favors a more subtle application, whether grouped, used as singular sconces, or as dainty side-table lights, offering versatility. Made By Pen's cordless floor lamp, 'Sway,' is highlighted as an innovative and architecturally inspired product within this trend. Metallic finishes, particularly brushed copper, remain a significant trend, adding a sense of luxury. Metallic floor lights are ideal for warehouse-style interiors, while metallic lamp bases can unify formal, elegant spaces. The article showcases a metallic light in a theater room setting, emphasizing its warm metallic finish and luxurious appeal. Alabaster detail is another emerging trend, providing a soft, translucent glow to rooms. This natural stone material, historically popular, is now seeing renewed interest, particularly for accent lighting in bedrooms or hallways to create a romantic atmosphere. The Blockheads from 2021 are mentioned for their early adoption of alabaster lighting. Finally, glass bases are recognized for their enduring presence in home decor. These neutral elements contribute a sense of luxury without being overly ostentatious, working effectively in luxurious, coastal-themed spaces by harmonizing with natural textures. Black Mango's Glass Lamp is presented as a stunning example of this simple yet impactful trend. Pretty patterned bases and shades are also making a comeback, offering a vibrant pop of color and a focal point, especially when contrasted with plain white interiors or combined with clashing prints for a maximalist look, particularly within Hamptons and coastal design styles. #LightingTrends #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #ModernTraditional #MarbleLighting #OrganicTextures #StatementLighting #MetallicFinishes #AlabasterDetail #GlassBases

Lighting plays a crucial role in transforming the mood and ambiance of a space, making the selection of light fixtures and their design an essential aspect of room decor and styling. As 2025 approaches, several key lighting trends are emerging, moving away from past minimalism towards more individualized and ‘feel-good’ spaces. Experts note a significant shift from the stark, monochrome designs prevalent in previous years, with a growing emphasis on creating unique environments that reflect personal style and enhance comfort. One prominent trend for 2025 is the resurgence of retro styles. Vintage-inspired lighting, characterized by subtle details like ribbed glass, is expected to gain widespread popularity. This trend offers a blend of timeless charm and historical craftsmanship, incorporating intricate detailing and warmer finishes compared to contemporary alternatives. The increasing embrace of eclectic design styles positions vintage lighting as both a functional element and an artistic focal point, drawing from rich design heritage and valuing quality and originality. Another significant trend is the continuation and amplification of 'dopamine decor' and maximalism. This means a move towards bold, vibrant, and playful lamp designs, often featuring eclectic prints, diverse textures, and clashing colors. The goal is to create eye-catching statements and inject a sense of fun and vibrancy into living spaces. Statement floor and table lamps, with their unique designs and bright color palettes, are particularly favored for living rooms and bedrooms, balancing style with functionality. Layered lighting, which involves using multiple light sources to create a cozy ambiance, will remain a popular technique. This approach, facilitated by advancements in portable lighting options, combines ambient, task, and accent lighting from various fixtures such as ceiling lights, pendants, and table lamps to add depth and warmth to different rooms. This method allows for greater control over a room's atmosphere, catering to different needs and moods. The demand for natural materials in lighting fixtures is also on the rise, aligning with the enduring biophilic design trend. Incorporating organic elements like rattan, wood, bamboo, and recycled glass helps to connect indoor spaces with nature, promoting well-being and reducing stress. These natural finishes introduce warmth and texture, contributing to a calmer and cozier atmosphere within the home. Stripey designs, particularly vertical stripes, are making a strong comeback in lamps and lampshades. This motif offers a timeless way to introduce pattern and a hint of fun into a home without being overwhelming. Vertical stripes also have the added benefit of creating the illusion of a bigger space. The trend involves bold color combinations and eye-catching designs that stand out while complementing other decor elements. Furthermore, color drenching, a decorating technique where a room is immersed in a single color or similar shades, continues to be influential. Integrating lighting fixtures into these monochromatic schemes enhances cohesion and adds depth to the space. This approach allows lamps to become an integral part of the overall color narrative of a room. Finally, sculptural lighting is evolving into an art form, with artistic and sculptural designs taking center stage. High street brands are increasingly offering elevated designs with fun, fluid shapes that serve as decorative pieces as much as light sources. This trend allows lighting to be a key element of artistic expression within the home, providing unique visual interest. Concurrently, a preference for warm and cozy lighting styles is emerging, moving away from harsh industrial lighting towards inviting designs that use warm-toned metals like copper and shades of yellow and burnt orange to create a comfortable and relaxing living environment. #LightingTrends #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #RetroStyle #DopamineDecor #LayeredLighting #NaturalMaterials #StripedDesigns #ColorDrenching #SculpturalLighting #CozyLighting