There is so much to look forward to in this year’s lighting trends. From glittery gold, bronze, and coppers to glowing furniture – the diverse range of lighting designs will excite your eyes with sophistication, art, and fun. Here’s a roundup of the tem best lighting trends for 2014.
Trend #1: Copper and brass lamps
Lamps in copper and brass finish are so popular because of how easily they blend into any interior design. Add charm to any room with a copper or brass lamp that gives off that subtle, warm glow during the day when sunlight enters the room and shines on this metallic structure. Its silhouette at night has a quiet, subdued elegance.
Trend # 2: Gold everywhere
Gold can never go out of fashion. It spells elegance, sophistication, and impeccable taste. From traditional to modern interior décor, gold always has a place in any home that wishes to flaunt its class. So for this year, gold will continue to be part of most homes not only in lighting fixtures but also in furnishings, such as tables, ottomans, beds, and sofas.
Trend # 3: LED lighting as the new standard
LED, despite its relatively higher cost to purchase compared to incandescent and CFL light bulbs, is continuously winning the hearts of consumers. Its energy efficiency leading to lower electricity bills as well as its longer life span make it the better lighting option for most buyers and homeowners.
Trend # 4: Environment-friendly lighting
Lamps and other lighting fixtures that are made from recycled materials are popular with individuals that support campaigns to save mother earth. From products made of 70% recycled metal or glass to being 100% made of recycled materials, eco-friendly light fixtures are not only beautiful and interesting but are sustainable as well.
Trend # 5: Smart outdoor light fixtures
Outdoor lighting is made more efficient with the use of sensors. Wireless lighting sensors helps save on energy as these turn off your lighting automatically when no one is around in a specific area. Another benefit of these sensors is avoiding over-lighting a space. These are also very easy to install and do not require so much time and money that are usually associated with running wires behind your walls and ceilings.
Trend # 6: Ceiling pendants
Traditional chandeliers, despite their glamour and sophistication, are taking a back seat this year as preference strengthens towards minimal styles with clean and modern designs. Ceiling pendants will be gaining popularity this year, especially black pendant lights. Relaxed, understated, and classic – this will be the basic feel that we are looking forward to this year, and pendant lights in timber, metal, and concrete will help create this.
Trend # 7: Non-uniform light clusters
Playful and striking – these words best describe this constellation of lights that will be giving life and color to many homes this year. There will be a more creative, more daring approach to combining light fixtures. You will be seeing combinations of ceiling pendants of different colors and shapes, forming clusters of illumination in varying forms and lengths.
Trend # 8: Sculptural minimalism
This is the ultimate display of artistic illumination, with light fixtures in various creative forms and materials. Lighting goes beyond its primary purpose of illuminating your home, transforming an ordinary room into a gallery with functional art.
Trend # 9: Do-it-yourself lamps
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One way to add a personal touch into your home is to create something from things that you are fond of, such as a lovely vase or a teddy bear that you can use as the base for a lamp. This is also a great way to showcase or draw attention to your favorite things and will also make a good conversation piece. There are no limits as to the type of items you can use, you can go whatever direction your creativity takes you and the process of creating it can be a way to de-stress yourself and even enjoy this project with someone.
Trend # 10: Glowing furniture
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These fun, witty eye candies will transport you to a dreamy, futuristic place at night as pieces of furniture seemingly float within the dark room, illuminating your space. Great for both indoor and outdoor lighting, these illuminated furniture are very versatile and are great for a kid’s room, living area, bar, patio, garden, and backyard. LED lights confined in glass, perspex, stone, and timber is a wonderful way to incorporate multi-functional items for your home.
Author Bio:
Joan Silver is a known lighting expert from Capitol Lighting and a fan of all things “lighting”. She currently provides customers and designers with robust information on their lighting needs.