Trend Watch: What’s New In Lighting

Lighting isn’t always first priority when you’re designing or redesigning a space. You want enough light to function, and you want it to be well-placed, but most of us don’t worry too much about sconces versus pendants versus lamps. The truth is, lighting can really make or break your overall decor and design theme. In fact, some might say you should start with your lighting!  

We’ve compiled the top lighting trends and upcoming trends for the next year, from lamps to chandeliers and finishes to smart lighting. Your space will shine with a few on-trend lighting updates!

Lighting Trend: Sustainability Shines With Natural Materials

The new lighting trend toward the use of sustainable and natural materials continues into 2022 and lighting is no exception.  

Natural materials such as wood, glass, bamboo, fabric, seagrass, leather, and even paper have been seen previously. In 2022, we’ll see even more use of twine, rope, burlap, and wood beads. Picture chandeliers made of beading and pendants formed of rope and natural stone.  

Natural materials aren’t the only way to express this new lighting trend. Fixtures will take the vague shape of trees, pendants will be accented by graceful leaves, chandeliers will have glass in the form of water droplets.

Lighting Trend: A Smarter, Warmer, Hi-Tech Home

New lighting trends have gotten smarter as well, allowing homeowners to use it in more environmentally friendly ways for 2022 and beyond.   

Smart bulbs are gaining more popularity each year, and with good reason. Smart bulbs are arguably the easiest entry point into smart home technology. For example, the ability to adjust the actual color temperature of your bulb can be life changing and do wonders for one’s circadian rhythms. These can be bright and cool white during the day lighting to help keep occupants alert and focused. The same bulb can be dim and warm later for a more relaxed feel. They can be warmed even further to mimic a “sunset sky” helping to wind down at night.  

These features are in addition to the obvious advantage of being able to schedule remote on/off functionality using a smart phone app. This is both energy-saving and money saving for homeowners. Look for more smart home features in 2022.

Lighting Trend: Lighting Is The Design Focal Point

Lighting will become a design focus of rooms for 2022 rather than being merely functional.

Chandeliers

Ceilings have long been ignored and under-decorated. This year, they’ll begin to be seen as the big, blank canvasses that they are! High ceilings and open floor plans have driven the lighting trend toward larger ceiling fixtures, and chandeliers are no exception. The perfect eye-catching detail for a ceiling is a bold, designer chandelier. Think “theatrically large” in scale.

Linear Pendants

Not to be outdone, linear pendants and linear chandeliers spread out to create a statement over kitchen islands, dining tables, entry ways, and more. 

Hanging pendants flanking the bedside has also become a popular way to illuminate a bedroom space. And we love this unique lighting trend for the stylish possibilities it opens up.

Bubble Hanging Spheres

This interior lighting trend has been around for a while and continues into 2022 in multiple designer collections. Ball luminaires can be made of many different materials, from hand-blown glass to stainless steel and recycled cardboard to etched metal. They are transparent, translucent, opaque, and can be used in so many spaces. From chandeliers to cascading lights, to large groupings, these spheres always make a statement.

Lighting Trend: Mix and Match with Black & Brass Finishes

Black continues to hold its own as a finish mainstay. Matte black has been trending in lighting for a few years (and isn’t going anywhere for 2022) but now black is available in a few new slightly different iterations: black stainless steel, satin black, flat black, oil-rubbed bronze, and black iron to name a few.

We love black in lighting because it is so striking. For example, floor lamps and sconces in shades of black look perfect in monochrome interiors. A black chandelier stands out as an accent piece in a room full of fixtures in white or cream shades. This provides a lovely, even classic look. 

But, if you’re looking for something a little more bold, look to shades of brass — and even consider mixing the two.

Let’s face it, rose gold is on its way out for 2022, and brass seems to be the natural evolution of the brushed gold craze that is currently happening. And just like black, brass comes in many new tones as well: Antique Brass, Polished Brass, Satin Brass, and Weathered Brass are just some of the types we’ve seen. Shiny or matte, brass provides a modern, warmer take on metal. This lighting trend will look great in everything from the Victorian style to the Scandinavian design. Try it as a lamp shade tone as well. It’s like a new piece of jewelry for your living room! 

Mixing brass and black tones provides an elegant juxtaposition of rich depth and metallic shine. This contrasting lighting style will continue to trend upward in interior lighting design for 2022.

 Lighting Trend: Get Creative With Bold Lamps

Colorful, shapely lamps are making their mark as a key trend, and that will continue into 2022. The great thing about having a lamp that is also artful and bold is that it makes a statement — even when it’s turned off.   

Light a forgotten corner of a hallway with a floor lamp or place a table lamp next to an armchair to create a cozy reading nook. Lighting can breathe new life into a space.  

The empire shade (the cone shape you remember from the 80s) is having another moment in 2022 with its dynamic myriad of angles from tall to squat. Try it out in black, paired with a brass base for a temperate glow. Very glam.  

The mushroom lamp has been everywhere for the last year or so. This new lighting trend can be sleek or cute, depending on the color and style, and it doesn’t appear to be going anywhere for 2022.  

No matter what you choose for your lamp lighting, we recommend fixtures in eye-popping colors to freshen up a space. Leave traditional metal lamp bases behind and explore a fresh selection of luminous colored ones, keeping in mind that these new bright hues are lovely against warm woods. Flanking a couch with colorful floor lamps or lighting can kick a neutral space into high gear and is very on-trend.

Light It Up!

With so many shapes, materials, and colors, one thing is very clear with upcoming lighting trends: Go BIG and BOLD! Don’t be afraid to allow your lamps and lighting to take up space, a lot of space. Let them command attention. Don’t miss an opportunity to allow your lighting to make a statement.

To be sure, small task lighting, recessed lighting, and the like have their place — but look to your table, island, entry, or high ceiling to go big and bold! For an easy update, swapping out a lamp, pendant, or chandelier and you’ll immediately see a dramatic difference! It’s also a great opportunity to follow a lighting trend without committing to a huge lighting overhaul.