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An absolutely crucial element that can make or break the ambiance of a design, lights and lighting design transform a space from mundane to magnificent. In 2023, more than ever before, innovations in this realm continue to push the frontier, bringing to us a dynamic fusion of contemporary sensibilities, cutting-edge technology, sustainable marvels, and timeless elegance. The trends dominating the fascinating world of light design spotlight boundless creativity. The possibilities are endless. But we have curated a collection of the top ten trending light design ideas you can check out to add a touch of luxe to your modern home interiors.
1. Going Green: Sustainable Lighting
We are living in an era marked by pressing environmental concerns, and this growing awareness of conscious living reflects in our design choices. Sustainable lighting design has emerged as a pivotal player when it comes to maximizing aesthetic value while minimizing the ecological footprint of designs. Energy-efficient lighting, consumer awareness, and longevity in lights are just some of the ways light design strives to be sustainable—but most intriguing of all is the sustainable manufacturing of lights.
The Eperara Siapidara Set of Three PET Lamps is one such example. Colourful and conscientious, these lamps repurpose PET plastic waste, such as bottles, that would otherwise accumulate in landfills. These captivating lamps—made of 50% recycled PET bottles and 50% palm tree fibres—are sure to win you over with their cheerful designs. Closer home, Oorjaa is leading the charge of crafting artistic lights through natural, biodegradable waste materials. The ethereal light quality that filters through banana fibre paper in the Lumina Pendant Lamp is quite characteristic of their work.
2. Crystalline Charm: Glass Lighting
A versatile and captivating material, glass has long been used for the creation of stunning and functional luminaries—courtesy of its diffusing and refracting prowess as well as transparency. These inherent material properties allow light to be manipulated in a spectrum of ways while preserving a distinctly clean, sleek appearance that aligns with modern minimalist designs. When paired with metal, an effortless industrial vibe takes centre stage. Its resistance and durability also enable outdoor usage.
Perfected by Angelo Barovier since 1295, the one-of-a-kind creations of Barovier&Toso in Venetian mouth blown crystal are handcrafted by master artisans in Murano. One such piece of art, the Exagon, is sure to create an enchanting atmosphere as transparent lotus leaf–inspired glass petals cascade from the sky. On a smaller scale, the stunning 767 Lunar collection by Bicycle Glass features a riveting single-seeded glass globe with bubbles added by hand for its signature effervescent quality, reminiscent of the surface of the moon.
3. Modular Magic: Customizable Lights
Flexibility, adaptability and customisation has been a rising trend across all aspects of design, and lighting is no different. With modular lights, individual modules can be combined and rearranged for endless preferences as well as specific needs, encouraging both unique creative expressions as well as a number of practical solutions. These designs are often also scalable, expanding to fit larger spaces when necessary, such as the Tri Light by Tokio.
Milled and anodised aluminium triangles come together in a range of configurations for an infinitely expandable design system with the ingenious Tri Light by Tokio. Resembling a honeycomb, this sculptural light can be remotely programmed to emit different temperatures and strengths of light. Illuminating timeless geometry as well as user comfort, this isn’t a mere light, it’s an expression of art. Fiercely contemporary, the Segmento by Olev is another innovative modular light that deserves a mention. Supremely flexible, the metal bends to even accommodate this light around corners.
4. Envisioning Vibes: Mood Lighting
How often have you wanted to create a specific atmosphere or ambiance within a space? Mood lighting is key, especially when it comes to crafting cosy and intimate settings. The nuanced and deliberate use of light, illumination and shadows can evoke emotions, while increasing the aesthetic appeal of a particular place. You can also go for a statement piece that transforms your purely functional space into an enchantingly atmospheric experience.
Take the exquisite Atmosquare from Mathieu Lustrerie for instance. A play of solids and voids, this rock crystal form can be used in a multitude of ways, as a chandelier, pendant or standalone floor lamp. But in each, it commands attention, framing a view while stressing sensitivity to architectural forms. The lamp Umbra from Sogani Design brings a more organic play of light and shadows to the table. Walls come alive with a whirlpool of dancing patterns, while the lamp becomes the focal point.
5. Sculptural Sights: Statement Pendants
The essence of statement lighting is to be able to command attention and place emphasis on a single installation. This becomes a bold focal point, going well beyond mere functionality. Sculptural pendants are all about leaving a lasting visual impact and such a light can uniquely elevate the design’s sophistication, serving as a piece of functional art.
Swarovski Lighting’s Amaca is one such example. Up to 400 Swarovski crystals sprinkled across as intriguing and graceful arched form form this elegant, featherlight installation, sure to accentuate the home’s exquisite design. Bridging modularity and material innovation into the mix, the MeLamp Aurora lighting system by Caino Design employs thin, engraved metal discs of steel or brass that can be hand-moulded into glamorous lampshades, with each one being unique to you.
6. Vintage Extravaganza: Chandeliers
Having graced interiors for centuries, chandeliers are exquisite and ornate light fixtures have stood the test of time. They are associated with luxury, grandeur, and an elegance that is iconic. Particularly defining are the multiple tiers of a chandelier. However, contemporary interpretations of the classic lighting form abound.
For a more old-school charm, you can explore options like the Lladró’s Seasons Chandelier – Fall. Inspired by both nature and seasons as well as the Art Deco style, this chandelier conveys a wealth of colours and forms through sparkling glass and porcelain elements, emulating the changing, muted hues of nature. Gabriel Scott presents a more contemporary option with the sleek Welles Glass Long Chandelier. Inspired by jewellery, each Welles module of soft frosted glass comes in options of textures and colours.
7. An Ode To Technology: Smart Lighting
Revolutionising the lighting industry, smart lighting systems leverage cutting-edge technologies to offer user convenience, enhanced comfort, energy efficiency and of course, customisation options at the click of a button. With automation and wireless communication, these lights are transforming the way we interact with as well as perceive light in our surroundings.
The Lighting Pad Lounge by Nimbus Lighting is a brilliant example of smart lighting systems. An unassuming and deceptively simple disc, this motion sensor-controlled light incorporates illumination colour, brightness and temperature options with acoustic control as well. And smart lighting cannot be spoken off without mentioning the renowned Breath of Light installation by Preciosa Lighting, which debuted at the Milan Design Week in 2018. Bringing a playful and personal touch to lighting, the unique system magically lights up as a response to breathing in the receiver.
8. Off The Ceilings: Floor Lighting and Wall Sconces
With innovative new designs for floor lights, wall sconces and table lamps, you can create a layered ambiance in any room apart from using only traditional ceiling lamps. Flexible and equipped for task and ambient lighting, these lights afford options for personalisation. They can also be included easily in your decor since they do not need complicated installations and alterations.
The iconic Arco K designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni exemplifies minimalist and contemporary appeal. With an adjustable height, the swivelling telescopic stem of this floor lamp adds industrial charm to your space. Similarly, the Glifo Cable Wall Sconce from Penta Lighting Design by Sommella & Anonima Luci minimises design to two lines, stripping it down to its bare essentials.
9. Marvellous Metal: Metallic Lighting
A long-favoured material in lighting, metal is durable, flexible and versatile. It affords the ability to craft a range of finished and aesthetic effects, and designers are constantly pushing the boundaries of what this material is capable of achieving. From laser-cut patterns to working with alloys, lights with metallic bodies are trending across the globe.
Hamanishi Design Studio is pioneering one such method, creating sophisticated home decor with burnt metal that radiates iridescent sheens. Their Burning Metal Project brings an intriguing collection of titanium alloys burnt to craft permanent and enticing (dis)colouration. More straightforward, the turned aluminium Gong Suspension Lamp by Light and You serves as a striking statement fixture.
10. Light As Art
Light has now transcended its merely utilitarian role in the world of design. It evokes emotions, engages the senses, crafts experiential spaces and can be a transformative medium of artistic expressions—innumerable installations around the world prove as much.
Take the modular Saint-Louis Clear Wood Sconce system for instance. The system can be employed across the wall, from the ceiling, and can grow endlessly. When used as wall sconces, it takes over the blank canvas, spreading across it like a constellation of gleaming glass. Equally dream-like is Design Studio Sunriu’s evocative Air-Shape pendant. The delicate light captures the whimsy of a soap bubble, refracting light in the most beautiful way.
With rapid changes in the ever-evolving field of design, 2023 has proved to be an exciting year for lighting trends so far. A radiant convergence of aesthetics and functionality, sustainability and technology, these trends illuminate our paths to a more personalised and eco-conscious future, complemented by the timeless elegance and cutting-edge developments of light designs.
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