The Top 10 Lighting Trends for 2020
Great lighting is always in style, but every year there are new trends worth exploring. Here are our picks for the top ten lighting trends of 2020.
The world of lighting, much like the world of home furnishings, is ever-changing. There are classics, of course – lighting staples that transcend trends, like your favorite mid-century modern floor lamp, or a vintage table lamp that adds an eclectic touch to your transitional interior. And there are yearly trends, some with longevity.
We hesitate to jump on fads, but each year, there are a handful of trends worth knowing. These are our top 10 lighting trends for 2020.
Architectural Floor Lamps
Floor lamps are excellent for providing subtle accent light or extra illumination to a dim room. Architectural floor lamps with tripod legs, or an unexpected angle, grew in popularity this year, and we expect demand to increase in 2020. Architectural floor lamps command attention and enhance the style of every room, and since lighting is becoming more decorative, architectural fixtures and lamps can be the statement pieces in your room’s overall design.
Natural Materials
Natural materials like grasses, wood, burlap, glass, and metal are already common in lighting and interior design, and we predict that the popularity is going to grow next year. Lamps made with natural materials that include straight lines or geometric forms signify a return to nature, and work well with different design styles, from contemporary to traditional (for a surprising contrast).
Geometric Designs
Geometric shapes give your lighting a casual and architectural feel, making these fixtures a great candidate for any room – especially the kitchen. You’re going to see more and more geometric shapes in the form of pendants and chandeliers throughout 2020. Mark our words.
Brass or Gold Fixtures
Brass and gold fixtures are another 2020 lighting and design trend. Experts predict that brass and gold are the color of choice for accessories and lighting next year, and we’d have to agree. The trend picked up steam this year, and there are no signs that the design world’s gold fixation is going to end any time soon. Unlacquered brass and gold fixtures that age and patina over time are going to be particularly popular next year.
Matte Black
Black is a favorite neutral for interior designers. It’s edgy, chic, and works with nearly every palette. It is for this reason that we think black, specifically matte black, is going to have a moment in 2020. Matte black lighting is luxurious, natural, and bold, and blends seamlessly with modern color schemes, or gives a dramatic contrast with white and grey Scandinavian-inspired interiors.
Clear Glass Pendants
Clear glass pendant lamps are a beautiful mash-up of industrial and rustic design— perfect for eclectic and mountain-inspired Colorado homes. We predict that next year, you’ll see a trend of clear glass pendants hung in clusters, and at different heights, with clean silhouettes and exposed Edison-style bulbs for a sophisticated look.
Refined Industrial
We’ve noticed the influence of urban loft-inspired industrial lighting grow over the last decade. And while we still enjoy classic industrial lighting, tastes are shifting to a more refined industrial style. Lighting with industrial materials and shapes, but finished in brass (remember brass and gold are having a moment in 2020), matte black (another 2020 trend), or polished chrome are steadily gaining popularity, particularly in kitchen and dining room lighting fixtures.
Wall Sconces
Wall sconces are an excellent choice for accent lighting. We hesitate to call them trendy, but the popularity of this fixture type is going to increase next year. Why? Because wall sconces can be hung to draw attention to artwork or to provide light for reading in bed, and, in an era where small fixtures and minimalist spaces are the trends, moving fixtures to the wall frees floor space for sleek furnishings and accent pieces.
Wood Bead Fixtures
Bohemian-inspired and versatile, wood bead lighting is a unique way to add texture and natural materials (on-trend for 2020) to your room. Flush mount styles for the living room and chandelier or pendant styles for the dining room and kitchen are favorites of ours.
LED Lighting
Lighting trends for 2020 aren’t limited to fixtures. Next year’s trends also apply to bulb types. LED lighting is already popular, but it’s going to gain steam in 2020. Why? Because LEDs are long-lasting, energy-efficient, free from harmful toxic materials, are excellent for smart homes and come in many shapes and sizes.
There’s no shortage of inspiration for your 2020 lighting design projects in each of our two metro Denver showrooms. Add style and functionality to your home next year. Visit us!
10 Bathroom Lighting Ideas to Brighten Your Space
Are you suffering from a dim bathroom? We’ve got ten bathroom lighting ideas to help.
Relaxing in the tub surrounded by candles and soft lighting sounds excellent, but aside from this scenario, a dim bathroom isn’t pleasant - nor is it functional. Inefficient bathroom lighting makes an ample space feel small and turns everyday tasks into a flirtation with danger (don’t shave or apply mascara in the dark).
People spend hours selecting their living room lighting, dining and kitchen light fixtures, and bedroom lighting, but often overlook the importance of efficient (and attractive) bathroom lighting.
Don’t neglect your bathroom lighting; after all, it’s where you start and end the day.
And, compared with most bathroom renovations, lighting upgrades are a simple and budget-friendly way to revamp an outdated (or dark) space. Regardless of the style or size of your bathroom, there’s no shortage of sconces, flush-mounts, pendants, and even chandeliers from which you can choose.
Make the most of your space (and stay safe and looking your best) with the ten bathroom lighting ideas below.
1. Get in the zone.
You can solve common design problems by first analyzing the space. What are its properties? How is it used? Split your bathroom into zones: bath, vanity, and shower. Use task lighting around the vanity where bright light is needed and consider installing LEDs or spots in vertical rows alongside mirrors as opposed to above. This gives you flattering light and minimizes shadows. In small areas, mirrored cabinets with integrated lighting is a simple and easy solution.
2. Maximize natural light.
An all-white bathroom sets a tone that’s bright, fresh, and clean. White paint allows you to harness natural light to lessen the pressure on light fixtures; small flush-mount lights provide ample illumination because of the way natural light brightens your white walls, tub, and ceiling.
3. Double-down with small pendants.
In a small and dark bathroom with natural textures and earthy decor, double down on lighting in front of your mirror to ensure the perfect level of brightness. Smaller pendants are an excellent option for bathrooms where wall space is at a premium.
4. Read and relax.
If you’re curling up with a good book in the bathtub, your reading light is as essential in the bathroom as it is on a bedside table. A swing-arm sconce provides ample light and style—it’s the perfect way to create a cozy bathtub nook for self-care.
5. Replace your lightbulbs.
Replacing light bulbs is a simple and easy way to brighten up your bath. We like to use cool white, bright white, or daylight bulbs in bathroom lighting schemes to minimize shadows and provide the maximum output around a vanity. Consider ambient light in bathing spaces, like baths and showers.
6. Layer your light.
Like everywhere else in your home, great lighting in your bathroom is essential, and layering your sources light provides the best results. Try using a combination of overhead light from a chandelier (if you have the room), natural light from windows, and light from above mirror fixtures to cover all of your bathroom lighting needs.
7. Mix shapes, styles, and textures.
Use color, texture, style, and shape to achieve balance and rhythm in your bathroom lighting scheme. Contrasting (but complimentary) finishes in light fixtures enhance texture, and lights of varied shapes, styles, and sizes achieve balance and rhythm.
8. Use functional lighting.
Try using a pair of wall sconces to illuminate a freestanding bathroom vanity. In some cases, mounting sconces directly to the wall mirror maximizes their visual impact and offers shadow-free grooming.
9. Illuminate bathroom art.
If you have art in your bathroom, accent lighting shows it off. Recessed directional light fixtures give focused light for each piece of wall art or illuminate an architectural feature like an alcove used to display pottery or sculptures.
10. Up your style quotient with pendants.
Pendants, in pairs or as a standalone fixture, give your bathroom a custom look. Drop them on either side of your mirror or vanity, or use a single pendant over your bathtub in place of a chandelier (assuming ceiling height allows) for extra function and style.
If your bathroom is functional but uninspired, or worse, if it’s uninspired and missing functionality, it’s time for an update.
A well-considered bathroom lighting scheme is a simple way to update an older space or to ramp-up the style in a new home. Make a statement in your bathroom with smart task lighting, pendants or a chandelier, and even an elegant table or floor lamp. Like the other rooms in your home, mixing textures, styles, and shapes adds interest and personality to a bathroom.
Do you need help creating a beautiful and inspired bathroom lighting scheme? We’re here to help! Visit one of our two metro Denver showrooms for a consultation with a bathroom lighting specialist.