'It’s a Small Decision That Quietly Sets the Tone of a Room' – Why Vintage Lighting Still Endures in Modern Homes
In this month’s Better Vintage series, we focus on lighting and why it continues to resonate in modern design, adding charm, warmth, and atmosphere
Vintage lighting brightens up a room with a softness that newer pieces often struggle to replicate. It glows rather than glares, casting light that feels atmospheric instead of utilitarian. Whether it’s the shimmer of Murano glass or the sculptural weight of a mid-century floor lamp, these pieces do more than illuminate – they bring history, texture, and intention into a space.
In an era of mass production and disposable fittings, decorating with vintage lighting reminds us that light was once a marvel – a scientific breakthrough as much as a decorative one – carefully engineered, materially ambitious, and designed to shine for generations.
Lighting has always been a reflection of how we live. Early domestic lighting was shaped by necessity – oil lamps, candles, and gas fixtures designed to make interiors usable after dark. With the arrival of electricity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, lighting became a site of design experimentation. Early electric fixtures often echoed gaslight forms, using opaline glass and carefully calibrated shades to tame what was, at the time, a startling new technology. Art Deco embraced glamor and geometry; mid-century modernism favored clarity of form and new materials; postwar European designers pushed lighting toward sculpture.
Today, these histories aren’t confined to museums. Los Angeles-based design studio Ome Dezin, for example, have built a small but intentional archive of vintage lighting – from sculptural mid-century steel sconces to delicately colored Louis Poulsen pendants – pieces that founders Joelle Kutner and Jesse Rudolph return to again and again, allowing the ideas of earlier eras to continue shaping contemporary interiors.
Interior designer Sasha Adler often sources vintage lighting for her projects, and is drawn to pieces from the 1930s through the 1970s, citing French iron sconces from the 1940s, Austrian crystal chandeliers, and Murano glass as enduring standouts. These eras treated lighting as architecture in miniature – fixtures were engineered, not styled, and often made by hand or in small workshops. The result is lighting that feels purposeful and materially authentic, shaped by the technological optimism and aesthetic confidence of its time.
Why is Lighting Better Vintage?
What sets vintage lighting apart is presence. ‘Vintage lighting has character,’ says Sasha. ‘You feel the hand of the maker, the weight of the materials, the subtle irregularities – the craftsmanship that’s hard to replicate today.’ Unlike contemporary fittings designed around efficiency and price point, older fixtures were built to last. Metals are thicker, glass is heavier, proportions more deliberate.
Sophie Salata, Head of Brand at vintage specialist Vinterior, notes that vintage lighting often feels more considered. ‘The proportions, the materials, the detailing – there’s a level of intention that gives vintage lighting real presence. It’s one of those smaller decisions that quietly sets the tone of a room.’ Vintage pieces also age gracefully. Patina develops on brass and bronze; glass softens and catches light unevenly; wear becomes part of the object’s story rather than a flaw.
There’s also longevity to consider. As designer Susannah Holmberg points out, lighting holds its value in a way many furnishings don’t. ‘Unlike a sofa that gets spilled on and weathered, a light fixture holds its value,’ she says. Vintage lighting isn’t just decorative – it’s an investment in both atmosphere and durability.
What to Look For and Where to Buy Vintage Lighting
Buying vintage lighting requires a mix of romance and practicality, but safety shouldn’t be an afterthought. Older wiring should always be checked, tested, and often rewired by a qualified electrician. Beyond that, scale and proportion are critical. ‘The right scale is everything,’ says Sasha. A lamp that’s too small will feel misplaced; whereas one with that’s well proportioned can anchor an entire room.
Material quality is another marker. Look for substantial metals, well-made glass, and evidence of thoughtful construction. Sophie recommends going bigger than you think, especially with table lamps: ‘If the space can take it, a larger lamp can make much more of an impact.’ Signs of age – light wear, patina, gentle irregularities – are desirable, but structural damage or unstable fittings are not.
Designers source vintage lighting widely. Sasha Adler shops globally, from Paris flea markets to long-standing European and US dealers. Ome Dezin often buys pieces before they have a project in mind, holding onto fixtures that ‘truly speak’ to them until the right moment arises.
‘There’s nothing quite like stumbling upon a vintage light you’ve never encountered before,’ Joelle Kutner and Jesse Rudolph note, ‘and feeling like you’ve discovered something meant just for you.’ The duo is drawn to lighting with architectural references, playful contrasts between materials, and a clear intention behind how light reflects and moves within a space. They rely on trusted dealers such as Two Enlighten, DEN, Re-Wired, and Amsterdam Modern, while embracing the thrill of the hunt at auctions like Billings or online platforms including 1stDibs, Etsy, and Chairish.
How To Style Vintage Lighting Today
Vintage lighting works best when it’s allowed to shine – literally and figuratively. Layering lighting is key. Sophie Salata advocates for multiple light sources in every room: table lamps, floor lamps, and wall lights working together to create warmth. ‘Overhead lighting should rarely be doing the heavy lifting,’ she says. Warm white bulbs and dimmers help preserve the softness that vintage fixtures naturally lend.
Mixing eras keeps spaces from feeling staged. Sasha regularly pairs pieces from different decades, letting contrast do the work. A Murano glass chandelier might sit alongside plaster sconces and a 1970s floor lamp, each contributing its own character. Ome Dezin suggest finding crossover in material or form when mixing vintage with contemporary lighting, but also embrace moments of deliberate contrast – especially in clean-lined, modern spaces.
Shades matter too. Original fabric shades often don’t age well, so many designers opt for bespoke replacements in linen, silk, or natural fibres. This allows vintage bases to feel fresh while maintaining their integrity. As Susannah Holmberg notes, wear can be a virtue in the right context: a gently aged fixture can add soul to an otherwise pared-back interior.
Shop Vintage Lighting
Whether sourced online or discovered at a flea market, vintage lighting reflects a different way of thinking about illumination. Engineered with intention, rich in material presence, and valued for longevity, these pieces continue to shine in modern interiors – not by being brighter, but by being better considered.
