From furniture designer to founder of one of the world's most influential design studios, Ilse Crawford has long been one of the industry's most respected names. With projects ranging from luxury hotels to iconic members' clubs – including the interiors of Soho House New York – her work has become synonymous with warm, human-centered design that never goes out of style.

So, when Crawford collaborates with IKEA, the design world pays attention. Her first collection, SINNERLIG, gave us cork stools and woven rattan lighting that have remained cult favorites for more than a decade. Now, she's back with a brand-new collaboration, and it might just be her most exciting IKEA collection yet.

HALGATT, Ilse Crawford's new collection of table lamps for IKEA, is exactly what you'd expect from the celebrated designer: timeless, understated, and made to live with for years rather than seasons. From a sleek cylindrical lamp in rich chocolate brown to an angular cream ceramic design, each piece has the quiet sophistication of lighting you'd expect to find in one of Crawford's beautifully designed hotels or hospitality projects.

The difference? These designer-looking lamps all cost less than $50 and are available at IKEA, making them one of the most accessible ways to bring Ilse Crawford's signature aesthetic into your home.

'When I design lamps, I want them to bring warmth and life to a room,' Ilse says. 'The challenge is to capture a classic's qualities – the right proportions, choice of materials and shade, and a timelessness that makes the lamp always feel relevant. My inspiration for HALGATT comes from how we live our lives. They have a versatility that supports the decor rather than dominating it – and are just as suitable in the living room as in a dining room, a bedroom or a work area.'

Each feels tactile to touch, with a woven linen shade and a smooth glazed ceramic base, featuring intentional imperfections designed to feel luxurious yet lived-in. Neutral yet still interesting, both styles feel unique in design. With a round base and shade, the brown ceramic lamp is perfect for spaces in need of a little richness or drama. Alternatively, the white ceramic lamp is perfect for tighter spots or schemes with a more pared-back palette.

Chiara Ripalti, Lighting Product Developer at IKEA of Sweden, says, 'We wanted to offer two expressions of the same idea, with classic materials and earthy tones. One took a more distinctive shape, balanced with a tone-on-tone palette. The other a more traditional cylinder, given depth through its rich, dark glaze. Both unmistakably carry the signature of Ilse, at a price that puts it within reach.'

And with a brass dimmer fitted on both, that makes tailoring and layering your lighting more than achievable, it's hard not to love the HALGATT lamps. They feel elevated, practical, and timeless, and unbelievably retail for less than fifty dollars.

'In my view, good interiors are well-lived-in spaces because they reflect and support the people who live there,' says Ilse. 'But without them being lit, the lamps will continue to be equally aesthetically appealing because they are designed so beautifully.'

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Every home has its floor lamps, its table lamps, its flush mounts, and its pendants – key details that both illuminate rooms and establish moods. But there's another player in the mix – one that is essential to a layered lighting scheme: the wall light.

Whether mounted, plugged-in, or rechargeable by design, wall lights are small but impactful lighting ideas that act as the finishing touch in a home's lighting layout. We were recently reminded of their usefulness in our tour of Cornerstone Design & Build's Toronto remodel. Room after room, wall lights are put to use in this project – in bedrooms as bedside lights, bathrooms as vanity lighting, and the kitchen as task lighting – demonstrating just how beneficial these details can be in every room around the home.

But here's the thing about wall lights – their appeal spans beyond just their practicality. Of course, they make sense for small bedrooms with no space for table lamps or bathrooms with no overhead lighting. However, they also play a role in creating layered lighting schemes, since their mid-level glow adds both depth and dimension to rooms. Wall lights can even double as wall decor, too, acting as illuminated embellishments for bare spaces. And since they conveniently mount on walls, they keep tables and floors free of excess clutter.

Think of wall lights as the quiet icons of home design – bringing light, style, and practical functionality to interiors without overwhelming a space. If you don't have one, consider this your sign to get one for your home. Trust us, your walls will be happy that you did. Shop our curated assortment of wall lights, below.

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Outdoor lighting takes center stage on your home’s facade. Whether it’s flanking the front door, illuminating the path that leads guests in, or casting a glow over the garden at night, the right fixtures do more than add safety and convenience. They enhance your home’s exterior in a way that feels polished, warm, and welcoming.

When you’re choosing your outdoor lighting, as such a visible and important design element, starting with the right retailer makes all the difference. Here, we've narrowed down our go-to brands and stores, broken down by price point and specialty, to set you down the right, well-lit path.

Luxury Outdoor Lighting

From period-inspired sconces to statement-making outdoor chandeliers, these retailers promise high-end, high-style lighting that's worth the investment.

Rejuvenation

Rejuvenation is a go-to source for exterior lighting that looks like it’s always been there; in other words, high-quality pieces that take reference from classic fixtures and historic architecture. You’ll find industrial-inspired gooseneck sconces, lantern lighting with a French Provincial feel, and colonial-era pendants reimagined for today.

Many pieces are customizable in size and finish, which is rare at this price point and makes it a strong choice for buyers who want something that feels considered rather than off-the-shelf.

Best for: Customized outdoor lighting, classic and midcentury styles

Price positioning: $$-$$$

Delivery details: In-stock items arrive in 5-7 business days, custom orders take 2-4 weeks

Restoration Hardware

For modern statement lighting that can hold its own against intricate architecture or a substantial facade, it’s hard to beat RH. Think oversized lanterns, iron-and-crystal outdoor chandeliers, and sleek, contemporary sconces that enhance the overall design of your home’s exterior.

The collection also includes lighting collaborations with creatives like master glass artist Alison Berger and interior designers Timothy Oulton and Jonathan Browning, which gives many of the pieces a more distinctive, high-design feel.

Best for: Statement lighting that feels special

Price positioning: $$$

Delivery details: In-stock items arrive in 7-10 business days, custom orders take 12-24 weeks

Frontgate

If you're after timeless, well-made outdoor lighting but don't want to scroll through pages of options, Frontgate is a smart place to shop. The collection of outdoor wall sconces, pendants, and path lighting is relatively small, but it's thoughtfully curated, with classic silhouettes and polished finishes that feel traditional in the best way.

Best for: Classic fixtures and finishes, reliable quality

Price positioning: $$-$$$

Delivery details: In-stock items arrive in 3-7 business days

Ferguson Home

Ferguson is less of a brand and more of a destination. The site carries an exceptionally wide selection from some of the most recognized names in lighting, like Currey & Co., Hinkley, and Visual Comfort. If you’re lucky enough to live near one of their 250+ showrooms nationwide, seeing the lighting in person can streamline decision-making, especially if you’re trying to coordinate existing fixtures or finishes.

Best for: High-end brand selection

Price positioning: $-$$$

Delivery details: In-stock items ship in 1-3 business days

Design-Forward Lighting Specialists

These retailers focus specifically on lighting, so you’ll typically find a wider range of styles, along with more specialized fixtures and landscape lighting options.

Pooky Lighting

Exterior lighting can often feel a little limited, style-wise, but Pooky breaks the mold with an outdoor collection that prioritizes design personality over predictable basics. You’ll find sage green lantern pendants, Art Deco-inspired lights with laser-cut details, and cast-brass downlights inspired by ships' funnels. It’s an especially good option if you're after outdoor lighting that feels distinctive and a little more design-forward than the norm.

Best for: Lighting that feels timeless but original

Price positioning: $$

Delivery details: Most orders arrive in 7-10 business days

Shades of Light

The outdoor collection at Shades of Light includes more than 600 styles from leading brands, along with exclusive pieces designed and produced in the company’s Virginia workshop. The assortment is mostly made up of traditional styles, but you'll find bohemian and modern fixtures mixed in.

Best for: Coordinated lighting sets

Price positioning: $$

Delivery details: Most items ship in 1-3 days

Lamps Plus

If you’re looking for variety, you’ll find it at Lamps Plus. The assortment is broad in terms of style, application, and price point, but there’s heavy emphasis on accessibility and value. The outdoor line is anchored by the brand’s own John Timberland label, which covers wall sconces, post lights, path lighting, and garden accents, but you’ll also find well-regarded lines like Kathy Ireland, Troy, and Savoy House.

Best for: A huge selection, from low-to high-end

Price positioning: $-$$$

Delivery details: In-stock items arrive in 4-8 business days

Volt Lighting

Volt specializes in landscape and outdoor lighting, making it a strong source for everything from uplighting trees to illuminating a pool area or lining a front walkway after dark. Because the company designs, manufactures, and sells its products directly, prices are notably competitive, and its landscape lighting kits make it easy to get everything you need to light your yard in one go.

Best for: Speciality landscape lighting that looks stylish

Price positioning: $-$$

Delivery details: In-stock items ship in 1-3 days

Affordable Outdoor Lighting

If budget and convenience are a priority, it's hard to beat these mass-market lighting sources.

Target

Target's outdoor lighting sweet spot is patio and garden accent lighting – solar string lights, rechargeable lanterns, and decorative path lighting – particularly from its in-house brands like Threshold and Hearth & Hand. The selection isn't comprehensive, but it's trend-focused and stylish, especially for the price. For a quick refresh or a tight budget where looks still matter, it's a reliable first stop.

Best for: Accent and decorative lighting

Price positioning: $

Delivery details: In-stock items arrive in 1-3 days

Wayfair

Like its other categories, Wayfair's outdoor lighting selection is enormous, making it an easy starting point for buyers who want maximum variety in style and price point. Its assortment of matching collections also makes it a convenient option for buyers who need a complete, coordinated exterior lighting scheme at a reasonable price point.

Best for: A large selection of affordable and coordinated lighting

Price positioning: $-$$

Delivery details: In-stock items arrive in 2-5 days

Home Depot

Home Depot's exterior lighting selection is, in a word, large. With more than 12,000 fixtures in inventory – from basic security and solar path lighting, to stylish wall sconces and string lights in almost any configuration you can think of – it’s an easy one-stop shop for almost any outdoor lighting need. Quality and price point tend to be middle of the road, with a mix of Home Depot’s in-house brands (Hampton Bay and Home Decorator’s Collection) and reliable mass-market brands like Jonathan Y and Kichler.

Best for: Landscape and security lighting, string lights

Price positioning: $-$$

Delivery details: In-stock items arrive in 2-5 days, Same-day delivery from local stores

Lowe's

Lowe’s fills a similar role to Home Depot, with a broad, practical assortment and the advantage of easy in-store access. If you’re in search of utilitarian lighting options or you’re prioritizing convenience and value over design variety, it’s a reliable option.

Best for: Coordinated lighting at an affordable price point

Price positioning: $-$$

Delivery details: In-stock items arrive in 2-5 days, Same-day delivery from local stores

Vintage, One-of-a-Kind and Specialty Makers

Looking for lighting that feels unique, vintage, or made to your specifications? Start with these go-to sources for more distinctive pieces.

Etsy

Etsy is the right call when you want something that no one else on the block will have – handmade copper sconces, vintage pendants from the year your home was built, mushroom-shaped garden lights, or custom-fabricated fixtures from independent makers and artisans around the world.

Best for: Custom lighting, pieces that suit any architectural style

Price positioning: $$-$$$

Delivery details: Lead times vary by vendor

Chairish

Chairish carries a range of vintage, new, and pre-owned lighting, and if you know what you're looking for and are willing to get creative, there are plenty of stylish possibilities. For outdoor lighting specifically, the inventory leans toward vintage gas lanterns, modern re-editions of antique designs, and mid-century and Art Deco pieces that can add real character to an exterior.

Best for: Vintage lighting

Price positioning: $$-$$$

Delivery details: Lead times vary by vendor

1st Dibs

1stDibs is a top bet for buyers with a specific aesthetic or piece in mind (and, generally speaking, an ample budget). Like Chairish and Etsy, 1stDibs is a goldmine for vintage outdoor lighting, but what sets it apart is its community of renowned and avant-garde contemporary designers who sell directly on the platform. Whether it's concrete sconces made in Paris or a Brutalist aluminum wall light crafted in Sao Paolo, 1stDibs connects buyers directly to niche lighting designers around the globe.

Best for: High-end, one of a kind lighting that looks like art

Price positioning: $$$

Delivery details: Lead times vary by vendor

Our Favorite Outdoor Lighting to Shop Now

Outdoor Lighting FAQs

What Makes Outdoor Lighting Different Than Indoor Lighting?

Outdoor lighting may look similar to indoor styles, but the difference is in the durability. Outdoor lights are designed to withstand rain and wind, and are usually "damp-rated," or safe to use in wet locations. Outdoor lights are given an IP (Ingress Protection) safety rating, which "grades the resistance of an enclosure against the intrusion of dust or liquids," according to the International Electrotechnical Commission.

Can You Use Indoor Lighting Outside?

It is generally not advised to use indoor lighting outdoors, with the exception of indoor/outdoor string lights, or portable fixtures and table lamps that can be brought inside when not in use.

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As much as I enjoy spending time outside, I've never been a camping enthusiast. In fact, I tried camping in my backyard once (if that even counts), and it only took me an hour in that tent before I snuck back inside to my bedroom. So, when I saw that IKEA had released SOLUPPGÅNG, an outdoor collection brimming with camping essentials, I didn't think anything would be worthy of my attention. But I have very quickly been proven wrong.

Sure, the products from IKEA's SOLUPPGÅNG range are intended for outdoor recreation activities, but they're definitely not limited to such. The LED Lantern, for instance, though made for illuminating a campsite, is an outdoor lighting idea that I'm convinced belongs on every patio this summer. Just look at its industrial chic design aesthetic – it's a stylish choice for patio decor and it serves the practical purpose of lighting up your outdoor space.

At less than $25, this lantern is practically a steal. It can hang anywhere you need it to – from a tree branch in your backyard, a hook against your exterior walls, or even from your pergola. Plus, it's small enough to act as an outdoor table lamp, bringing ample light to any corner without taking up too much space.

In my opinion, there are few portable lamp designs that are as convenient as this IKEA lantern. Since it's made for outdoor activities, you can trust that it's sturdy and well-built. Its caged exterior adds an extra layer of durability that keeps it safe from any accidents. Not only that, but its handle makes it particularly convenient to move from place to place or hang up to create a makeshift pendant.

As for its light output, this LED lantern emits a warm, radiant glow. It's the perfect outdoor dining table feature – illuminating evening dinners with effortless elegance. And if you plan on enjoying any late night walks this summer, this lantern is the best light source to carry with you. Forget using your phone's flashlight, carrying this LED lantern will make your evening stroll feel like a 'main character moment'.

Like I mentioned before, this lantern comes from IKEA's SOLUPPGÅNG series, which is a range of products designed specifically for outdoor activities like camping. But if you're not one to trek out into the woods for an overnight stay, the SOLUPPGÅNG series is still useful – for park picnics, backyard lounging, or even beach days. Lucky for us, the rest of products are just as stylish as the LED lantern, and since they're made for outdoor activities, you can trust that their durability is top notch, too.

So, if you're interested in getting some high-quality outdoor decor, shop three more picks from IKEA's SOLUPPGÅNG range, below.

More From IKEA's SOLUPPGÅNG Range

IKEA's SOLUPPGÅNG series is brimming with things to bring to a picnic, things to bring camping, or things to keep in your backyard – including some practical pieces like the enameled steel mugs and handy sporks, and even some decor like this soft throw blanket and this washable throw pillow cover. With these pieces in your outdoor collection, you'll be prepared to participate in any summertime activity.

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If you've ever wondered why you sleep so incredibly well when you are on vacation by the sea, it's not a coincidence. In fact, some coastal populations are among the healthiest in the world, especially in the Mediterranean, which is known as a blue zone for its natural lighting and wellbeing benefits.

While your body's internal body clock works to regulate your sleep-wake cycle, it's heavily influenced by exposure to natural light, with cortisol hormones released in the morning to facilitate easier waking.

That increased alertness, especially around natural light, is exactly why, as the resident Sleep Editor here at Homes & Gardens, I recommend using the Govee Smart Light Bulbs, available at Amazon, in your bedroom space, to cleverly mimic the most beneficial morning sunshine, and help you to wake naturally without grogginess.

What Is the Circadian Rhythm Lighting Tip?

It's a simple and budget-friendly switch to help you sleep better and ensure you wake refreshed, rather than lethargic.

Blue zones was first coined by demographer Michel Poulain and physician Giovanni Mario Pes, who were investigating why some populations live longer than others in Sardinia.

Journalist Dan Buettner went on to collaborate with them in his own worldwide explorations on longevity and authored The Blue Zones: 9 Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest, available at Amazon.

While there is no 'magic bullet', as noted in the paper published in the National Library of Medicine, those living in coastal areas often enjoy increased time in natural sunlight.

This, of course, helps to naturally regulate our circadian rhythms and, therefore, sleep cycles. Melatonin is released in the body towards bedtime (and as it gets dark) to help you drift off. As morning nears, the cortisol hormone is released to aid in easier waking. That's why having more natural light aids waking.

To easily achieve this cortisol-regulating benefit in your sleep environment, regardless of your location, you can switch your normal bedside lamp bulbs for smart ones and alter the hue to something more beneficial. Combined with the smart tech that allows you to program it to turn on automatically, you will be able to enjoy reduced grogginess every morning.

Smart bulbs, such as the Govee Smart Light Bulbs, available at Amazon, come complete with a sunrise setting timer. Filling your room with gradually brightening light in the morning is a scientifically proven way to wake up slowly and naturally, leaving you feeling more refreshed.

What the Sleep Experts Say

Dr. Andrew Gall is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Hope College and a Neuroscientist who studies the neural mechanisms and functions of sleep, including how light affects circadian rhythms.

He explains, 'Smart bulbs can be a useful tool to improve sleep because they act as a "zeitgeber," (a time cue) to help you wake up naturally with the sunlight. This is especially important because our sleep-wake patterns need to be aligned with the sun and darkness to have maximal benefits for us.'

Restorative sleep is vital to long-term wellbeing as it allows the body to do important healing work overnight, removing or fixing damaged cells, reducing inflammation, processing memories, and much more.

Dr Gall advises that using other forms of traditional alarm clocks that wake us up at a specific, allotted time do so without regard for the sleep state we are in.

'We experience the most benefits of sleep when we wake up directly from rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, because our brain activity during REM sleep is more similar to our brain activity during wakefulness,' continues Dr. Gall. 'You may have noticed that sometimes when your alarm clock goes off, you immediately hit snooze and feel very groggy.

'This is likely because your traditional alarm clock woke you up during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, which is a time when our brain activity mismatches that during wakefulness.'

This is where using a smart bulb comes in handy: The technology can be used to wake you gently, by providing a less jarring cue that cleverly aligns with and reflects the rising sun.

'We will then wake up naturally and refreshed, rather than artificially and groggy,' adds Dr. Gall, harnessing all the proven benefits of the Dutch Method for sleep, but without having to actually leave your curtains and blinds open.

How to Try the Circadian Lighting Hack

With the Govee Smart Light Bulbs, available at Amazon, trying the Circadian Lighting Hack for yourself is easy, as it comes with a Sunrise & Sunset mode, so you can set your bulbs to brighten when you wake up, and gradually dim in the evening to help you to fall asleep fast.

'It is important that the smart bulb is closely aligned with the time the sun comes up,' advises Dr. Gall. 'It is also important to go to bed sufficiently early, and at the same time each night, to meet your sleep need, and to align your internal clock – set by your body's circadian rhythms – with the sun.

'Our bodies will get maximal benefit if we go to bed at the same time each night, get enough sleep to meet our own body's sleep need, and wake up naturally when the sun rises.'

Additionally, he says, it's critical to get outside in the morning, to soak in some of the natural light's rays, help you to become a morning person, and provide you with benefits for your day ahead.

'Even better, if you go for a morning walk, you will get the benefit of exercise, natural light, and add a good, healthy breakfast, and you're making some important changes to benefit your health in the long run!'

More to Shop

Using a smart lightbulb isn't the only way to mimic the morning sunlight or make the most of it naturally. Shop my edit of sleep essentials to ensure you wake feeling refreshed, whatever the weather and time of year.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Expert

You may now know how to harness natural light in the mornings, but do you know how to design your bedroom for sensational sleep?

In 2026, it seems like everyone wants a statement something in their home – from a striking, statement couch in the living room to a bold, statement wallpaper in the bathroom. While decorating with statement pieces is a must-do this year, it can also feel like a big commitment, but in terms of money and style.

If you like the idea of decorating a room with statement pieces but you don't want to commit to something major like a bold floral sofa or a vibrantly striped wallpaper, then allow me to introduce you to a more suitable, equally as stylish alternative: a design-oriented floor lamp.

Floor lamps have been making a slow but steady comeback in the world of lighting trends, and the designs are only getting more playful, experimenting with shapes, colors, and materials. These are the picks our style editors have on their radar for adding a low-commitment, high-impact focal point to any room.

The Cut is all about Homes & Gardens helping you invest in pieces that feel current now, but won’t date as trends shift. Finds that elevate a room today and still feel right years from now. Whether it’s a sculptural accent chair or a chic pendant light, our editors will curate an edit that balances style, longevity, and quality. Consider this your shortcut to smart, beautiful shopping.

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Since its debut collaboration with Dutch designer Sabine Marcelis three years ago, IKEA’s donut-shaped VARMBLIXT lamp has been the retailer’s worst-kept secret – and easily its most popular lighting design to date. Now, the curvaceous silhouette remains the same, but for the first time, it’s upped its IQ, introducing color-shifting and dimmable capabilities that push the atmosphere at home well beyond the original amber glow.

The VARMBLIXT 2.0 works straight out of the box via a pre-paired remote control. Like IKEA’s other smart lighting products, it also connects to the DIRIGERA hub and the IKEA Home Smart app (as well as Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and the like), unlocking far more nuanced control. Users can match lighting to the rhythm of the day, control multiple lamps at once, and explore a surprisingly expansive palette of more than 40 shades, drawn from a broader spectrum of over 12,000 color presets.

The update arrives hot on the heels of 2026's atmospheric lighting trend, which sees color-changing light as one of the easiest ways to shift the mood of a room – often out-ambiencing even the furniture itself. The original amber glow lent itself nicely to relaxed rituals like listening to vinyl records, but the expanded palette now opens the door to far more calibrated experience: turquoise for winding down in the evening, warm reds that won’t disrupt melatonin before sleep, lively yellows for morning, soft pinks for dinner parties, and plenty more in between.

Importantly, these shifts happen seamlessly. Considerable attention was paid to the transitions between colors – from standard white light to the glowing amber the original VARMBLIXT became famous for, and onward through the broader palette – allowing the atmosphere of a room to evolve gradually.

‘We spent a lot of time fine-tuning the transitions between the curated colors,’ notes VARMBLIXT designer Sabine Marcelis. ‘What makes this lamp unique is that switching between colors is not a sudden change, but a very smooth journey through all the hues to get to the next color. The light slowly moves through color to, in turn, transform the color of a space.’

IKEA’s VARMBLIXT is one of the rare affordable lighting designs to win over everyday decorators and serious design snobs alike. If the first version went viral, expect the 2.0 to go even bigger.

More IKEA Smart Lighting

IKEA VARMBLIXT Alternatives

Rumor has it Sabine Marcelis’s ongoing lighting collaboration with IKEA may continue expanding at the intersection of design and technology in 2027 – so stay tuned for future updates.

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Nothing seals a scene quite like a portable lamp. Without one, an outdoor sofa is just… furniture on a patio. Add a warm glow on the side table, and suddenly, it’s a room.

Still, not all that long ago, 'chic portable lamp' sounded slightly oxymoronic. Portable meant plastic; outdoor meant industrial. Did such a thing even exist? Fortunately, now they do, with designers like Venice-born Federico De Majo crafting sleek, color-soaked lighting ideas for Zafferano America, and retailers like Serena & Lily turning out weather-friendly wicker versions you’d never suspect could withstand damp air.

Home may be where the heart is, but the living room is wherever the glow goes. Ahead, Homes & Gardens' 15 favorite portable lamps to lounge with, light up, and love – indoors and out.

The Cut is all about Homes & Gardens helping you invest in pieces that feel current now, but won’t date as trends shift. Finds that elevate a room today and still feel right years from now. Whether it’s a sculptural accent chair or a chic pendant light, our editors will curate an edit that balances style, longevity, and quality. Consider this your shortcut to smart, beautiful shopping.

Mosaic-style Art Nouveau lamps by Tiffany Studios cost roughly the same as a Birkin on a good day – and well over a million at auction on a bad one. You might recognize them from the American Wing at the Met, or from the New-York Historical Society’s formidable collection. Created around 1895 by stained-glass obsessive Louis Comfort Tiffany, this vintage lighting style feels strangely salient again in 2026 – a reflex, perhaps, against a snooze-worthy decade of colorless minimalism.

This new (old?) vintage trend and fixture-fixation crystallized for me recently at the Winter Show, the long-running American art and antiques fair held each year at the Park Avenue Armory.

I attended the Young Collectors Night – a dizzying social swirl of philanthropists and design obsessives debating early Victorian multi-gem brooches and 19th-century Sinhalese wooden center tables. Between the 75-plus internationally recognized dealers and a generous illustrator who sketched my off-kilter organza gown (the evening’s theme was ‘Deconstructed Beauty’), I saw more original Tiffany lighting – glowing in all its glory – than I had ever seen in one place.

They were presented by Lillian Nassau LLC, the storied New York gallery founded in 1945 and widely credited with reviving serious interest in Tiffany Studios’ work, from lamps to Favrile glass and pottery.

‘The revival of interest in the work of Tiffany Studios has been a work in progress for several decades and is now in full force,’ notes Lillian Nassau LLC owner Arlie Sulka. ‘We think that as some parts of society are turning towards automation, AI, screens, etc., there are those who yearn for objects made meticulously by hand that showcase the human eye/touch, pieces whose creation required skilled craftsmanship that took years to develop, and investment of time and energy to produce.’

The most famous – and famously labor-intensive – example is Tiffany Studios’ Wisteria Lamp. Produced between 1902 and 1932, the design comprises more than 1,000 pieces of mottled opalescent glass arranged into cascading clusters of wisteria blossoms, complete with deliberately irregular edges meant to mimic the plant’s trailing petals. The base, richly patinated in bronze, resembles a tree trunk. One example sold for $1.5 million at Sotheby’s.

Originally designed in 1900 by Clara Driscoll, head of the Women’s Glass Cutting Department (the so-called ‘Tiffany Girls’), the lamp has been copied, referenced, and riffed on endlessly. Not simply as a shortcut to the illusion of wealth or heritage, but because its unabashed use of color, ornament, and chaos feels equally, if not more, resonant in 2026. After years of mistaking ‘good taste’ for restraint – and restraint for some sort of twisted aesthetic virtue – this kind of maximal, handcrafted exuberance reads as a reminder that beauty can be loud, irregular, and, at its best, alive.

‘They are all objectively beautiful and very well made, which alone makes them collectible, but we find their commitment to the natural world incredibly soothing, so we would like to imagine that others feel the same way when choosing to incorporate them in their interiors,’ continues Arlie – a sentiment that may even have tangible benefits. ‘There are scientific studies that spending time in nature relaxes the nervous system, which I believe 100%, so I think in a way Tiffany’s designs are a way to bring that energy into the home year-round.’

For Colorado-based interior designer Nadia Watts, the pull toward Tiffany lamps isn’t just about nature, or even our collective desire to look up from our screens – it’s generational. She is the great-great-granddaughter of Louis Comfort Tiffany himself.

‘I think the renewed interest in Tiffany Studios lighting comes from a desire for depth and sensory richness in our interiors,’ Nadia agrees. Like Arlie Sulka, she points to the natural world as a guiding force, noting how the hues of the Wisteria Lamp mirror the vines at Laurelton Hall, Tiffany’s former country estate. ‘That direct connection to the natural world makes the work feel alive, relevant, and deeply human, even or perhaps, more importantly, in 2026,’ she explains.

For her, ‘Tiffany will always be its own category.’ Whether or not one buys into the revival as an interior design trend, simply encountering the work is a reminder of real cultural and material presence. ‘While the revival coincides with a broader return to craft, nature, and ornament, Tiffany occupies a singular space where art, innovation, and material mastery intersect… a moment when art, industry, and craftsmanship were in real conversation.’

That sensibility carries through to how Tiffany lamps – or, at least, lamps that muse them – are styled today. ‘These lamps are expressive and layered, so I like to pair them with calm, neutral architecture,’ Nadia says. ‘Think clean lines, warm plaster, natural stone, or soft textures so the glass can glow on its own. One exceptional lamp can anchor a room and let other lighting remain subtle.’

Though Tiffany lamps are often photographed in very proper, old-world interiors – probably par for the course, when the price tag clears seven figures – Nadia insists that reverence isn’t required. ‘You don’t need a period interior at all!’ she says. ‘Tiffany feels most alive when juxtaposed with modern furnishings. Pulling color gently from the glass into the palette, rather than matching it literally, keeps the look contemporary while honoring the artistry. In this way, Tiffany lighting feels timeless, soulful, and incredibly current.’

If I ever win the lottery, there will be signs. Tiffany signs. Until then, discover a few mosaic lighting ideas that nod to the legacy, the natural world, and remind us that good lighting, as ever, should make you feel something.

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Part of the je ne sais quoi of a Tiffany lamp is its sense of feeling – an aesthetic effervescence we’re newly attuned to in 2026. Lean into that energy by brushing up on the whimsical decor trend, and meet your new lights where they are, with equal enchantment.

Tonight marks the start of the Lunar New Year and the beginning of the Year of the Horse. 2026 is specifically the Year of the Fire Horse, a rare combination that occurs once every 60 years, symbolizing energy, passion, and new beginnings. It is also a time for a centuries-old tradition that's easy to practice in many households: lighting up the home with lamps, candles, and lanterns.

Like many Lunar New Year rituals, this practice has its roots in ancient Chinese beliefs about the power of light to bring fortune and protect against misfortune. For centuries, people kept lights burning in their homes to ward off darkness and evil spirits and to invite positive energy, happiness, and good luck. The glow of lanterns and lamps was thought to create a welcoming environment for blessings in the year ahead, and it's just as powerful today.

Today, electricity has replaced oil lamps, but the symbolism remains. Turning on every light honors this age-old superstition and serves as a simple yet meaningful way to welcome prosperity and promote good Feng Shui in your home.

It may be too late to shop for new lamps and candles ahead of midnight. However, I've rounded up some accessories (including these candlesticks from Amazon) that are said to promote good luck around the home, regardless of the time of year.

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In some spiritual interpretations, turning on the lights is believed to ward off negative energy and is considered by some to be a way to invite good fortune at the start of the new year.

Philosophical experts explain more about the general power of light in some spiritual beliefs.

'Physical darkness is the absence of physical light. The darkness itself is not real. It is merely an absence of something that is real,' comments Owen Waters on the symbolic power of light. 'Likewise, spiritual darkness is the absence of spiritual light. Spiritual darkness itself is not real. It is merely an absence of something that is real.'

Ultimately, lighting itself carries protective power. Just as spiritually light dispels negativity, keeping lamps or lights on in the home symbolically pushes out misfortune and darkness as we begin a new Lunar chapter. I'll be practicing this tonight, won't you join me?

Mixing vintage and modern lighting can feel intimidating. Lighting is highly visible, often sculptural, and closely tied to a home’s architecture – which means mismatched pieces can quickly feel jarring. But when done well, blending old and new lighting adds depth, warmth, and a sense of evolution that purely period-correct schemes often lack.

Lighting is also one of the most forgiving places to experiment with mixing eras. Fixtures are relatively easy to change, highly expressive, and often collectible, making them ideal for introducing contrast without committing to a full redesign. Here, interior designers share five expert-led ways to mix modern and vintage lighting, so it feels intentional, cohesive, and timeless.

1. Balance Silhouettes and Let Shape Create Cohesion

When mixing vintage and modern lighting, designers often look beyond age and focus instead on shape. Strong, considered silhouettes help create cohesion, even when fixtures come from very different eras. A sculptural vintage lamp base might echo the curve of a modern table or pendant, while rounded sconces can soften sharper architectural lines elsewhere in the room.

New York–based interior designer Lauren Stern explains that this approach mirrors how she thinks about rooms as a whole. ‘Every room we design has a balance of materials – metal, stone, wood, upholstery – and a harmonious combination of color, dark and light,’ she says. ‘Vintage pieces echo this philosophy. They should feel cohesive in a room and bring balance and harmony.’

By repeating shapes and visual weight rather than styles, vintage lighting stops feeling like an outlier and instead becomes part of the room’s rhythm. The result is a space that feels calm and composed, where old and new sit comfortably together.

2. Assign Different Roles to Vintage and Modern Lighting

One of the most effective ways to mix eras is to think about lighting in terms of function. Vintage fixtures often excel as decorative or focal pieces – chandeliers, statement pendants, or characterful table lamps – while modern lighting is typically better suited to task and ambient roles.

George Kypreos and Shana Sherwood, the husband-wife team behind Los Angeles-based design studio, Sherwood Kypreos, describe lighting as a cast of characters rather than a collection of showpieces. ‘Not every light can steal the show,’ they explain. ‘Too much feature lighting can cheapen a space. Some must be supporting characters, but they’re still as important to the overall story.’ By allowing vintage lighting to provide atmosphere and personality, and modern fixtures to support everyday living, rooms feel both beautiful and practical.

3. Customize the Component

Designers rarely treat lighting as a fixed, finished object. Instead, they often see it as a collection of parts that can be mixed, matched, and tailored to suit a space. This approach is especially useful when decorating with vintage lighting, which can be adapted to feel more contemporary without losing their charm.

‘You can tailor lighting to suit your needs,’ say Sherwood Kypreos. ‘Change cord colors, change fitters, fabricate different shades – buy vintage globes from one place and chains from somewhere else to achieve the outcome you want.’

Breaking lighting down into components gives greater control over proportion, finish, and material, allowing vintage pieces to sit more naturally within modern interiors. Visually, this creates a collected, custom feel – lighting that looks designed specifically for the room rather than sourced in one go.

4. Play with Scale to Create Intentional Contrast

Scale is one of the most powerful tools for making mixed-era lighting feel deliberate. Contrasting proportions help prevent a room from feeling flat, while also ensuring that no single piece overwhelms the space.

Chicago-based interior designer Claire Staszak, founder of Centered by Design, notes, ‘Scale really makes all the difference in lighting. Varying the size of your lighting is one of the most effective ways to mix old and new.’

Playing with scale within each lighting role adds depth without disrupting function. A generously scaled modern fixture can provide even, anchoring light, while smaller vintage pieces introduce moments of softness and detail. The contrast in proportion creates visual tension that energises the room, without asking decorative or ambient lighting to do the wrong job.

5. Update the Shade and Let Contrast Do the Heavy Lifting

Sometimes, the simplest way to mix vintage and modern lighting is by rethinking the lampshade. Swapping an outdated or utilitarian shade for something more refined can instantly transform a vintage base – or soften a modern one.

Ellie and Hermione Gee, co-founders of Hum London, say this idea is central to their brand. ‘Making lampshades to pair with vintage lamps is actually where we began. Antique pieces can bring so much to a space, and we’re very much in favor of mixing old and new,’ the sisters explain. ‘A great way to make a vintage lamp sing is by pairing it with a more elevated lampshade.’

They point out that many vintage lamps come with plastic-lined shades that cast harsh light, whereas thoughtfully made shades can dramatically change the mood of a room. Their perforated designs are intended to soften light and add atmosphere, proving that even subtle updates can have a significant impact. Visually, this approach makes heritage pieces feel intentional rather than inherited, while creating warmer, more inviting light

Mixing vintage and modern lighting is less about strict rules and more about balance, contrast, and repetition. When shapes relate, finishes complement one another, and each fixture has a clear role, rooms feel layered and personal rather than chaotic.

Experiment slowly, mix in pieces with vintage character alongside true antiques, and don’t be afraid to customize. When done well, mixed-era lighting brings warmth, depth, and a sense of history – creating interiors that feel genuinely lived-in.

70-some years after Isamu Noguchi made his formative visit to Gifu, Japan – where he fell in love with, and ultimately riffed upon, the town’s mulberry bark paper and bamboo lanterns – it’s hard not to imagine him cringing post mortem at the flood of flimsy, dorm-room knockoffs that hit the market in the late 2010s. Akari, they were not.

Fortunately, the current paper lighting trend revival is treating the medium with a little more reverence. This new wave feels truer to the spirit of the original 16th-century forms (and a clear step up from first-apartment fare).

As Joelle Kutner and Jesse Rudolph, co-founders of Los Angeles–based Ome Dezin, observe, these designers ‘treat paper lighting with the same respect they would give stone or wood’ – a mindset that pushes the lighting idea forward, but keeps Noguchi’s reference point very much alive.

‘We see a lot of our clients wanting their home to feel softer and more cozy,’ explain the co-founders, who used one of these paper lights to crown the office area of their Cerro Gordo project in Echo Park. 'These pieces are being placed in more considered spaces, alongside richer materials, which allows their simplicity to feel intentional rather than temporary,’ they continue – a sentiment that extends beyond this single project and into the broader interior design shift toward raw, spectacle-averse materials.

‘Paper lanterns are great because there is also a big range in size, price, and shape, so really anyone is able to have one in their space,' add Joelle and Jesse, pointing to this design trend's refreshingly democratic appeal.

And since the duo mentioned size, it's worth noting that paper lights placed on the floor – especially grouped in a multi-height cluster – allow for a loose rein on styling. But once you take things overhead, proportion matters.

‘When choosing a paper lantern, scale is key,’ explains Megan Schlabaugh of Megan Lynn Interiors. ‘A helpful rule of thumb is to add the length and width of the room in feet – that total becomes the fixture’s diameter in inches (for example, a 10-by-12-foot room calls for a 22-inch lantern).'

'If you’ll be walking beneath it,' Megan continues, 'make sure the fixture hangs at least seven feet above the floor. Over a dining table or island, aim for one-half to two-thirds the width of the surface below,' she advises.

Still, don’t stress the logistics. According to Michelle Accetta, founder and principal designer of Michelle Accetta Home, the impulse to micromanage runs counter to the spirit of this revival. Softly diffused, non-centralized light has a calming effect on the nervous system, ideal for unwinding at the end of the day and supporting circadian rhythms. ‘These paper lights are a great option to support wellness in this sense,’ she says.

Indeed, lighting in recent years has gotten more gorgeous, but often unforgiving. ‘Paper lanterns offer a softness that many interiors have been missing,’ say Joelle Kutner and Jesse Rudolph of Ome Dezin, noting their gentler relationship to light, texture, and atmosphere. At its most romantic, the effect muses an era of mid-century and modernist interiors, 'where light was treated as part of an experience, not just a utility.’

Isamu Noguchi once wrote, ‘All that you require to start a home are a room, a tatami [traditional Japanese flooring mat], and Akari.’ At long last, this new class of paper lights delivers the kind of soothing, scene-completing sensibility he dreamt of.

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The paper light renaissance proves that the best lighting ideas tend to arrive with some history attached. In 2026, that conversation naturally extends to the candle sconce, too.

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 19^th and early 20^th 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.

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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.

Portable lighting has become a modern essential for flexible living. A cordless lamp lets you move light exactly where you need it, whether you are hosting a relaxed dinner party, curling up with a book, or softening a dark corner in the evening. Without cables or fixed positions, portable lamps allow for easy shaping of the room's mood and create a calm, welcoming glow.

For anyone drawn to minimalism, portable lighting fits seamlessly with minimalist decor ideas by reducing visual clutter and keeping surfaces clean and intentional. A single beautifully designed lamp can replace multiple fixed light sources, helping a space feel lighter and more considered. When it comes to where to shop, The White Company portable lighting collection has some designs that feel simple, timeless, and quietly luxurious.

Portable lamps also support a more mindful way of living. They adapt to your routine rather than dictating it, adding warmth for entertaining, focus for reading, or a gentle ambiance at the end of the day. When chosen with care, a portable lamp becomes both a practical tool and a refined design detail, perfectly aligned with a pared-back, elegant home.

Beautiful Portable Lighting I am Loving

Portable lighting can also help shape cozy living room ideas that feel thoughtful rather than styled. A small lamp placed low on a shelf or side table adds warmth and encourages you to layer lighting naturally, combining soft pools of light instead of relying on a single overhead source.

The same flexibility works just as well for kitchen lighting and bedroom lighting, where atmosphere is often as important as function. In kitchens, portable lamps can soften dining areas or open shelving, while in bedrooms, they create a calmer, more restful feel than a central light alone. Used this way, portable lighting becomes part of a considered interiors scheme, supporting simplicity, balance, and a more relaxed way of living.

My pre-war New York apartment has plenty of unphotogenic quirks, but the bathroom is the real offender. It’s so small that even I – at 5’5” – have to choreograph my movements. The tub crowds the toilet, the toilet blocks the sink, and overhead looms the worst offense of all: a ceiling light, installed lord knows when, casting a harsh, interrogation-style glow.

Or rather, it was. Because I eventually stumbled upon a workaround with potential to make my bathroom lighting not only update the space, but totally change it: the Gem by Tulip.

I’d been seeing Tulip’s wire-free, renter-friendly, anti–‘boob light’ shades everywhere online. My fixture doesn’t technically protrude, but I figured it was ugly enough to qualify. Still, I hesitated. Would the adhesive actually hold up in a damp bathroom? Would the sculptural designs overwhelm a space this cramped? And were the ‘easy’ installs truly easy, or just influencer-easy?

I went back and forth until I saw Tulip’s collaboration with LA-based textile atelier Studio Ford. The Gem Tuberose – a floral block print in soft pink with contrast piping – ultimately sealed my fate.

So, renter or not, should you buy one too? Ahead, my experience installing the very viral Tulip lighting idea and living with it for nearly two months to help you decide.

Setting Up

Fresh out of the box, my first thought was: wow, what a lovely fabric. I’d happily take it as a throw pillow or a drape, should Tulip ever pivot. I’d also been bracing for something far flimsier, but the shade felt surprisingly durable. Alongside it came a circular ceiling mount, screws, alcohol wipes, and 3M strips – all part of the included Tulip installation kit.

As an Aquarius, I’m famously opposed to chores, instructions, and anything remotely tedious. I was relieved to discover that Tulip’s ‘How To’ section is a one-minute-and-43-second video, which I watched instead of reading anything. Perfect.

The screws gave me a brief jump scare, but a quick glance at the instructions confirmed that because my ceiling is smooth, I could skip them entirely and use the adhesive strips instead. (The drywall screws are meant for popcorn ceilings or more permanent installs.)

I cleaned the six intended contact points on the plastic ceiling mount (the areas without magnets – those are what the shade eventually snaps onto, and what makes future shade swaps possible), waited for them to dry, then paired up the Velcro strips and pressed them firmly into place. After that, I cleaned the area around my ceiling light, peeled the remaining adhesive backing, and pressed the mount onto the ceiling – holding each section down for a full 30 seconds, per instructions.

Then came the fun part: attaching the shade. The magnets snapped it into place instantly. Immediate gratification. For about 14 minutes.

Then the whole thing fell down.

I’m fairly confident this was due to the state of my pre-war bathroom ceiling, which – if I’m being honest – had never been cleaned by me or, I suspect, anyone before me. I ran out, bought rubbing alcohol, gave the area a real clean, repeated the process, and reinstalled everything. The second attempt took minutes and has held perfectly ever since.

So, if you live in a similarly old city apartment, consider this a warning that you may need a little extra cleaning power beyond what’s included.

Once it was finally up for good, I stepped back and admired it. The scale felt a touch excessive in my small bathroom, which I actually loved. It looked like the cool-girl bathroom chandelier I was never supposed to have. Am I... an electrician? Unclear, but I was pleased.

Living With My Gem Light

My one hesitation going in was that my ceiling light also functions as a fan – essential in a bathroom this small – and I worried the shade might interfere. Thankfully, the design accounts for this: the bottom of the Gem is open, so airflow continues uninterrupted. Moisture control remains intact.

The lighting itself was the bigger upgrade. What had been harsh and unforgiving is now softly diffused into something warmer and more flattering. I can still see well enough to do my makeup and move around comfortably, but the room feels calmer – almost elegant, words I truly never thought I’d use to describe this bathroom.

Beyond that, there’s very little to report. I turn the light on and off as usual, and nearly two months in, I haven’t adjusted, fussed with, or thought about it once.

Final Thoughts

Despite the slightly rocky start of having to reinstall the Gem Tuberose a second time, it was more than worth the trouble. In one reasonably priced $169 move, I solved my ugly bathroom light problem and added a piece of Studio Ford’s textile work to my ceiling. No Taskrabbit required. (If I can do it, you absolutely can.)

Of course, this is an especially good solution for renters, but the thing about the Gem Tuberose – and Tulip’s shades more broadly – is that they don’t read like a band-aid. Even if you could swap out a fixture entirely, these look good enough that you might not want to.

I also like knowing it’s not permanent. When I eventually tire of it (hasn’t happened yet), the ceiling mount stays put, and I can simply snap on a new magnetized shade for a quick refresh.

I’ve already started eyeing other lights in my apartment that could use the same treatment – and after this experience, I’d suggest you do the same.

Living in a rental, I am all about the no-reno design hacks, and this has been one of the easiest and most transformative yet. The Tulip Shade gets the seal of approval from me.

Shelf styling, in my opinion, is an art form. Between positioning books and arranging decorative objects, it's as if you're creating your very own masterpiece in the heart of your home – a masterpiece that deserves to be lit.

That said, finding the right lighting ideas for bookshelves is no easy feat. Most table lamps are either too tall or their shades are too wide for shelves, and while mini rechargeable lamps have been a game changer for lighting bookshelves, Joanna Gaines just created something better.

As part of her new spring collection at Target, the Wood Mid Tone Bookshelf Lamp doesn't sit next to your books; it can subtly sit within them.

Because of the curvature of its body, this lamp can comfortably fit on shelves, and since its metal base is wider than its wooden stand, it's sturdy enough to stand upright on its own. And did you notice how it resembles a bookend? This lamp was designed that way so it won't look out of place on your shelves – in fact, it'll fit right in, supporting books and providing ample light for the bookshelf in its entirety. It's the perfect bookshelf styling component.

This bookshelf lamp is a hot commodity for good reason. Not only is it a practical choice, but it's a chic one, too. Its simple yet elegant style leans into the modern farmhouse aesthetic that Joanna Gaines is known for, and its design can certainly elevate any shelf on which you place it.

Aside from my praise of this lamp, it has great reviews. 'This lamp was exactly what my built-in shelves were missing,' one reviewer wrote. 'It adds the perfect amount of light, and it’s so cute. Recommend!' Lots of reviewers have even added photos of the lamp in their spaces, further proving how beneficial this lamp is for shelves in reading nooks or home libraries.

Of course, the obvious styling choice for this lamp is on a bookshelf. However, there are loads of other places in which it can be styled. You can position it on the desk in your home office, next to a cocktail-making book on your bar cart, or even on an open shelf in your kitchen. As long as it's positioned within 5' from an outlet, the styling possibilities are endless for this clever little lamp.

Joanna Gaines designed and released a similar version of this lamp a few collections back, and it sold out almost immediately after it dropped – I kept such a close eye on it for months after, but I never saw it reappear at Target. And sure enough, that lamp is now being sold on resale sites like Mercari and Poshmark for significantly more than its initial price. Needless to say, people love this bookshelf lamp. So while this variation is in stock (and less than $50, might I add), pick it up ASAP.

As for the rest of your bookshelf, I've pulled together a few decor choices from the rest of Joanna's new collection that can help stylize the scene. Shop them, below.

Shop Shelf Styling Decor from Hearth & Hand With Magnolia

A well-styled bookshelf is like a work of art that deserves to be lit. With the Wood Mid Tone Bookshelf Lamp from Joanna Gaines' Target collection, your bookshelf will become the standout feature whatever room in which it exists. Plus, it'll contribute to the bookshelf wealth display that you've already set up on your shelves.

Lighting has moved beyond pure function to become a form of sculpture in its own right. A statement pendant or an expressive table lamp can anchor a room just as powerfully as a piece of art. These designs shape the atmosphere even when switched off, adding rhythm, texture, and personality to an interior.

Right now, some of the most compelling lighting ideas treat form as the hero. Think sculptural silhouettes, considered materials, and designs that feel intentional from every angle. It is this art-led approach that makes The Heal's Sale so compelling, offering a chance to invest in pieces that blur the line between illumination and object.

From softly glowing glass to architectural metal forms, sculptural lighting has the power to transform a space instantly. Choosing a design with presence brings depth and character to both modern and classic rooms. With carefully selected pieces now easier to access, it is the perfect moment to let lighting take centre stage.

Sculptural lighting is one of the most exciting lighting trends right now because it does more than illuminate. It inhabits space like art. We love it for the same reason we love sculpture, its presence, its form, and the way it changes how we see a room. Paired with furniture trends that favor clean lines and natural materials, these lights act as both statement and companion, drawing the eye while shaping the atmosphere.

The magic of lighting as sculpture is its ability to surprise. Shadows fall differently, angles feel unexpected, and a simple fixture can redefine a corner or anchor a room. It is functional, yes, but it is also a daily encounter with beauty, a way to make every space feel intentional, curated, and alive.

Lighting That Doubles as Art

Sculptural lighting invites a new way to think about how to choose art for your home. Unlike a painting or a vase that sits passively, these lights occupy space and interact with it, creating movement and changing perspectives as you move through a room. When selecting pieces, consider not just the fixture itself but how it relates to the scale, color, and texture of your surroundings. A single sculptural pendant can feel like a gallery installation, while a cluster of smaller lights can become a dynamic composition that transforms an ordinary corner into a point of interest.

Sculptural lighting can feel strikingly modern, with clean lines and bold shapes that turn a fixture into a moment of art. It looks incredible in minimalist spaces where it can really take centre stage, but it’s the mix with older architectural details that makes it really sing. A contemporary pendant above a fireplace with intricate moulding, or a sculptural floor lamp beside a bay window, brings together the new and the old in a way that feels effortless. The contrast adds texture, rhythm, and a subtle sense of drama, letting both the light and the room’s character shine.

This blend of modern and heritage means a room can feel layered and lived-in rather than staged. In a high-ceilinged Victorian hall, a sleek chandelier draws the eye upwards, while in a cosy terrace, a bold lamp can highlight panelling or a built-in bookcase. By pairing sculptural lighting with the architecture around it, you create spaces that feel thoughtful and dynamic, where every corner has its own story and light becomes part of it.

When choosing sculptural lighting, think beyond just how it looks and consider how it changes the way you use a space. A carefully placed fixture can create intimate corners for reading, frame a view of your garden, or draw attention to a favourite piece of furniture. Experiment with scale, layering, and unexpected angles to see how light can transform both mood and perception.

Pleated lampshades are no longer just a classic choice – they are making a bold comeback in British interiors. From living rooms to bedrooms, designers are embracing pleats for the texture, elegance, and visual interest they bring. This season, pleated shades are being used to add subtle sophistication or a striking focal point – proving that old-school charm can feel completely modern.

Out of all the lighting trends out there, pleated lampshades offer perhaps the most aesthetic versatility. They work on table lamps, floor lamps, and even pendant fixtures – adding softness and dimension while complementing a wide range of interiors. Layering pleated shades with different textures and finishes can turn simple lighting into an intentional design feature – bringing warmth and personality to every corner of your home.

From muted neutrals to bold colours and metallic finishes, these are the pleated lampshades worth shopping now to update your interiors with the trend everyone is talking about.

If, like me, you adore decorating with vintage, but don't want your whole home to feel like an ancient relic, embracing a more transitional design is key. The challenge here lies in blending old and new. Pleated lampshades are a simple yet transformative detail in this context. Now, pleated lampshades come in all manner of patterns, colours and shapes, so they look just as at home on an ultra modern sideboard as they do on a Georgian writing desk.

It is the bridging between past and present that the British do so very well, and if there's one (albeit small) item in a home that represents this perfectly, it's the humble pleated lampshade.

'The most wonderful thing about pleated lampshades is that they don’t date, ever, and will slot into all interior styles', explains Oxfordshire-based interior designer Caroline Borgman.

'Pleated lampshades are deceptively simple but endlessly versatile. I love them suspended on a brightly coloured flex cable in a cosy reading nook for a playful, contemporary note, yet they also sit beautifully on stone lamp bases atop an antique console. They are one of those small details that can effortlessly tie together modern and traditional interiors' she explains.

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Ultimately, pleated lampshades endure because they offer something many lighting ideas do not: character without excess. They soften a room, add depth, and introduce a decorative note that feels considered rather than contrived. While they work comfortably across almost any interior design style, from contemporary townhouses to relaxed modern homes, they feel especially at ease in classic interiors, where texture, proportion, and craftsmanship matter most.

In interiors inspired by English country style, pleated lampshades add a sense of warmth and refinement, proving that the most successful lighting choices are often those that feel timeless, lived-in, and effortlessly harmonious.

I’ve been on a mission lately to fix one of my biggest pet peeves: bright glare. I love a cozy, layered lighting scheme, but harsh bulbs instantly kill the mood for me.

So when I came across an Instagram video with an inexpensive solution found on Amazon – simple light diffuser discs – promising instant, softer light without me having to switch up my bulbs or fixtures, I was suitably intrigued. As someone who’s recently researched all the lighting basics you need to know to find a solution, and tried every warm white bulb under the sun, I was skeptical it could be solved with such an easy hack.

But after seeing how dramatically these little discs transformed her big light, I added them straight to my Black Friday basket. If you’re also glare-sensitive or just sick of staring at your bulbs, this trick might be the fix you’ve been waiting for.

In her video above, the creator, Diana Elizabeth, says, 'I love turning on all the lights in my house, but I don't love the glare, and seeing an exposed bulb can really hurt my eyes.' Thankfully (for Diana and for us), she found the solution.

What really convinced me to give this lighting idea a try was how simple yet genuinely clever it is. They’re literally just little lightweight plastic circles, but once placed between your bulb and your shade, they help to soften glare and harshness so the light feels warmer, gentler, and instantly more ambient.

With diffusers available in multiple sizes for different lighting – from chandeliers, spotlights, table lamps, pendants, and sconces – they’re one of the most affordable fixes I’ve found for bright or exposed bulbs.

To make them work for different fixtures, she shows how she preps the discs using basic tools to suit her dining room light. 'I use these drill bits – the WORKPRO 13-Piece Spade Drill Bit Set from Amazon – and create a template so I know where the middle is. I then make a little mark,' she explains, demonstrating how she quickly drills a neat hole in the centre when needed.

If your lamp doesn’t require a central hole to fix it to the bulb holder, you can skip this step entirely, but Diana proves how easily it can be customized for different lighting styles.

From there, installation is super straightforward. She removes the shade and bulb, places the diffuser on the top of the fixture, and screws the bulb back in so it rests lightly on the disc.

When ordering, you want to be sure to select a disc that is smaller than your shade, for example, a 12" shade with an 11" diffuser for safety. 'Just so you know, it can wiggle, so there’s not going to be any melted plastic!' Diana adds. With her shade added back on, the lamp suddenly casts a softer glow rather than a harsh beam. 'Now I can put the lights at full power and not feel like my eyeballs are burning.'

With plenty of options available at under $20 for a pack, this is the kind of Black Friday add-on that feels like a no-brainer: budget-friendly, renter-safe, and genuinely transformative. If you’ve been battling bright bulbs, these discreet little light diffusers might be the upgrade your home has been missing.

Shop Amazon Light Diffusers

Looking for some gorgeous lighting to complete your Amazon Black Friday basket? Here are 3 I've got my eye on in the sale:

It’s rare to find a fix that’s this easy, this affordable, and this instantly transformative – especially when it comes to lighting, which usually requires either a pricey new fixture or a complete rethink. If you’re searching for a quick, renter-friendly way to make your lighting warmer and easier on the eyes, this might just be the simplest solution out there.

I love my nighttime routine, the hour or so before sleep that I can truly relax. And my bedside setup is a key player, it's where I house everything I need within easy reach – skincare, books, phone, drinks. I have my bedside tablescaping down to an art.

But I have never managed to perfect the bedroom lighting. I want something right there next to me so I can read and scroll and sip my tea, but it needs to be soft and compact. My bedside light just wasn't cutting it, and the visible wire wasn’t adding anything aesthetically.

Of course, I toyed with the idea of a portable lamp (I just added the viral Addison Ross Bobbin Lamp to my bathroom and it’s totally changed the vibe in there), but during my shopping research, I found something even better: wireless, battery-powered sconces. Specifically, these Rattan Battery Operated Wall Sconces from Wayfair. Beautiful, hotel-worthy wall lights that could flank either side of my headboard, adding a soft, symmetrical glow. And the best part? No electrician needed.

I say not having to pay someone to hardwire these sconces is the best part, but the price of some of these easy-to-install designs is almost unbelievable. I would have thought having wall lights installed in my bedroom would have cost nothing shy of $500. But thanks to the Black Friday sales happening right now, there are tons of options that make this look easy to achieve for under $100, such as these dimmable rustic wall sconces, also from Wayfair, in a set of two.

I love the hotel feel these sconces give my bedroom; there's something about symmetrical wall lights that feels very luxurious. But these easy-to-install designs could work anywhere – either side of a vanity mirror, to add soft lighting to a kitchen, or make more of a focal point of a console in an entryway.

Shop Battery Operated Wall Sconces

During my hunt, I came across hundreds of options for cheap battery-powered wall sconces. Wayfair, in particular, had some gems, and I was so shocked at how cheaply you could find them on Amazon(these black vintage-style lights are only $35 for two!). If you’re after something a bit more luxe, West Elm had a couple of beautiful designs, and of course, I have to mention the queens of portable lighting, Pooky, who have a rechargeable Genesis cell that you can use to turn so many of their gorgeous designs wireless.

I can't think of a purchase I’ve made recently that's changed a room more drastically (apart from the portable lamp I just bought for my bathroom). Lighting can totally change the feel of a room, especially at this time of year when we are all about the soft pools of cozy light. If I had known I could achieve such a luxurious effect without spending much or calling an electrician, I would have done this so much sooner.

Moving to a new house has made me rethink lighting completely. My new kitchen is beautiful, but the kitchen island sits in a pool of shadow, and the sockets are in all the wrong places. I have been resisting portable lighting for years, convinced it was unnecessary, but I have reached the point where I cannot ignore how awkward the layout really is. I want the room to feel moody, low lit and comfortable, not full of trailing cables and badly placed lamps.

For the longest time, I assumed portable lighting was more of a lighting trend than a solution. I admired it in magazines and showrooms, but never believed it belonged in a traditional kitchen like mine. Then I started looking more closely at lighting trends and saw how designers use small, warm pools of light to bring atmosphere to darker corners and to make an island feel intentional rather than stranded in the middle of the room. Clearly, I had been holding on to an old idea for far too long.

So I am finally giving in and buying two of the Soho Home Emmie Portable Lampfor the island. They suit the mood I want to create and bring that gentle, focused light that a classic interior needs. I have realised that portable lighting is not a fad at all. It is simply a clever way to make a room feel finished, especially when the wiring refuses to cooperate.

You have probably noticed the skyrocketing popularity of rechargeable and portable lighting. It was once the case that small rechargeable, wireless table lamps were dotted on the streetside tables of chic restaurants and bars, and rechargeable lighting within the home just wasn’t feasible. Those attempts at portable or rechargeable lighting were lacklustre, with a short-lived, pitiful attempt to cast light. Invariably, the light that it did produce was a bright, unflattering white light. Now, though, the tide has most definitely turned.

Those inventive minds that conjure up the latest outdoor lighting ideas have remedied these issues. Now, homeowners are able to implement lighting without the need to go to the costly and disruptive length of summoning an electrician to track electrical cable through walls.

This unleashes a whole world of possibilities for many of us. Renters can implement beautiful lighting without the need for permission, particularly true of the peel-and-stick wall sconces, which are exceedingly popular.

What drew me to this particular lamp was the design. The antiqued brass plating gives it a softness and depth that suits a classic interior, so it never feels out of place or too contemporary. It has that quiet, collected look that works with older furniture and natural materials, almost as if it were designed for a room with history. The proportions are balanced, the finish has a gentle patina, and the light it casts feels warm and intentional. It behaves like a considered design object rather than a piece of convenience lighting, which is exactly what I want for this space.

As with everything that swiftly gains popularity, we have seen an enormous increase in the amount of portable lighting available online, and so, as ever with vast quantities, quality is not always a given. That doesn’t necessarily mean the more affordable options are inferior, but like with anything, there won’t be consistent quality across the board, so ensure you check for these key things before investing in any portable lighting.

Firstly, and most importantly, ensure you check the battery life. Hannah Walter, Creative Manager of British lighting brand Heathfield & Co, thinks ‘a well-designed portable lamp should last several hours without recharging. It should provide between 8 to 12 hours of light on a full charge, ensuring it can comfortably last for an evening gathering or provide reliable light throughout the day. Some designs also include discreetly integrated dimming options, allowing you to adjust brightness to suit the mood and conserve battery life when softer lighting is needed.’

That said, as this technology improves, you will find some portable lamps that can last several evenings without being charged. On the other end of the spectrum, some have very short battery lives, rendering them close to useless, so be sure to check the battery life before buying online.

What I like most is the freedom this kind of lighting gives me. I can shape the mood of the room without relying on fixed wiring or compromising the look of the traditional kitchen. A pair of well-chosen portable lamps will let the island feel grounded and inviting, with a soft glow that suits the traditional style of the space. It feels like a small change, but it will make the whole room work in a way it never has before

They say there’s a lid for every pot, but table lamps are freer spirits – serial monogamists, really. A single base can find chemistry with any number of shades, each one rewiring the ambience entirely. A neutral, sleek-lined empire shade communicates rustic restraint; a fringed bordeaux checkerboard screams moody, fun, and maybe a side hustle in art direction. Same lamp, different story.

‘Changing a lampshade might seem small, but it can completely shift the mood of a space,’ says Lauren Lerner, founder and principal designer of Living with Lolo. On a practical level, the material dictates how a lighting idea behaves – softer fabrics diffuse and glow; darker or textured ones sharpen and dramatize.

‘It’s one of those effortless updates that can make everything around it feel more intentional and elevated without redecorating the entire room,’ Lauren notes of the low-lift, low-cost change. She tends to favor timeless shade shapes (us too), but even she can’t deny the lighting trend shift toward scalloped edges, unexpected silhouettes, and exaggerated proportions.

Play it safe, or don’t. ‘One of my favorite tricks is using a statement shade on a simple base to turn lighting into art,’ she says.

Because truthfully, there’s no such thing as a boring lamp – only a boring shade. And none of the nine ahead are guilty of that. They're the perfect simple swap for your fall decorating ideas.

If you thought your shades stopped at the living room or bedroom, you’re only skimming the surface. Have you ‘lampscaped’ your kitchen? Here’s why this kitchen countertop lighting trend might just be the most delicious upgrade to your culinary routine.

In stark contrast to when the clocks spring forward and we benefit from all that extra light at home, the clocks falling back makes everything feel a little gray and glum.

While we all know when Daylight Saving Time ends, the shift in light comes at us pretty fast. The days are suddenly shorter, the air is cooler, and corners that once glowed now feel shadowed, so it’s no wonder this time of year calls for a little extra warmth. But don't worry, designers – who have all the lighting basics you need to know – have some bright ideas to fix your home's seasonal affective disorder.

It seems rather obvious, but alongside some pretty fall decor and a pumpkin spice candle, some lighting ideas can make all the difference to how your home looks, feels, and performs in winter. And according to the experts, it just takes 2 simple shifts.

The 2 Lighting Shifts Designers Make When the Days Get Darker

Good lighting design is all about creating comfort and atmosphere – as well as practicality. While natural light does a lot of the heavy lifting in spring and summer, in the later months, we need to up the ante.

Plus, we're spending so much more time at home. From holiday hosting to quiet nights in, this is the season of staying home. So, I asked interior designers for the key adjustments they make every fall to keep homes feeling warm and inviting. These are the 2 swaps they make in every home they design.

1. Layering in Low-Level Lighting

Layered lighting is key to any good room, no matter the time of year or day. But it really comes into its own during the fall, when you can't simply rely on the harshness of the big light to brighten your space.

'The key to a well-considered lighting scheme that supports you throughout the year lies in layered illumination, and importantly, in planning it from the very beginning of a project,' advises Caroline Milns, head of interior design at Zulufish. 'As daylight fades and the need for artificial light increases, having a variety of sources at your fingertips ensures flexibility.'

A variety of light sources is crucial – and combining lamps, wall lights, and picture lights will help to create warmth and rhythm. Designer Lauren Gilberthorpe agrees: 'As evenings draw in, I always introduce more low-level lighting. Table and wall lamps as well as picture lights create a cocooning atmosphere that overhead lighting alone cannot achieve.'

As well as adding more layers, Christina Cruz of Christina Cruz Interiors suggests making the switch to more heavy-duty lighting designs.

'I swap my lightweight task lamps for more substantial bases and larger, heavier patterned lampshades for fall. In the winter, table lamps become the primary source of light over recessed fixtures, so a grounded lamp with presence creates a warmer, more intimate glow.'

For Jeanne Barber, founder of Camden Grace Interiors, portable lamps work double time in the fall. 'We love adding in additional accent lighting like cordless table lamps to create a cozy environment as daylight fades earlier.' They’re perfect for shelves, side tables, or the entryway – spaces that might not have an outlet nearby to add little pockets of warmth.

'In this cold, dark season, when the sun sets as early as 4 pm, I always make a point to up the ante on indoor illumination,' adds designer Kathy Kuo. 'I recommend adding an extra table lamp (or two!) to the most-used rooms in your home, particularly the spaces you tend to frequent in the evening hours. After all, your cozy family room or restful bedroom can truly never have too many lamps.'

2. Warming Up Your Bulb Temperature

Beyond adding more light, you want to ensure that the lighting you do have works well throughout the darker months. Designers suggest a few clever ways to ensure this.

'The second daylight starts to fade earlier, I lean into lamp light. Table and floor lamps become the new hearth, warm, low, and ambient,' says Kailee Blalock from House of Hive Design Co. 'We swap cooler bulbs for ones closer to 2700K and add timers or smart plugs so the house feels lit from within before you walk in the door. I personally use Kasa plugs that I can control from my phone,' she recommends.

Speaking of timing, Lucy Harris, founder of Lucy Harris Studio, sets her lamps to come on automatically before dusk: 'In the fall, I set my floor lamps and table lamps to come on about half an hour before sunset. I live in New York State, and it starts getting dark in the late afternoon in the fall, and my house, which is set in a forest, can start to feel gloomy after such long summer days,' she explains. 'I find turning on table and floor lamps, with a very warm bulb, at least 2700k, warms up a room and makes it feel inviting.'

'I also switch to warmer bulb tones where possible,' Lauren adds. 'They soften the room and complement natural materials such as timber and stone. This subtle shift ensures the home feels intimate, inviting, and reflective of the season.'

'As the days shorten, I lean into mood lighting by swapping brighter bulbs for warmer ones, and bring in more low-level lighting like table and floor lamps,' agrees Michelle Murphy of DEMI RYAN. 'It’s all about embracing that golden, cocoon-like glow that feels comforting during darker months. In fall and winter, I truly believe there are never too many lamps in a room,' she adds.

And sometimes, it’s not about adding more light at all – but instead making the most of what’s already there. Allison Lind of Allison Lind Interiors likes to incorporate mirrors into her lighting plan.

'When it makes sense within the confines of the design, I love to add a mirror as part of the lighting plan,' she suggests. 'Mirrors bounce light, whether adding to the effect of the natural light entering the room or reflecting the glow of mood lighting.'

While they might sound easy, each of these small lighting shifts carries more impact than you might expect – and is a great place to start before looking at this year's lighting trends. Together, they reintroduce warmth, depth, and dimension just when your home needs it most.

A large part of your home's atmosphere lies in how well you nail your lighting. We all want our rooms to feel cocooning and calm, not stark or austere, and yet getting that balance right takes much more than a few scented candles and a well-placed lamp.

And in the fall, lighting really comes into its own. The shift in daylight exposes a multitude of sins – corners that sit in shadow, bulbs that suddenly feel too blue. Thankfully, interior designers know everything there is to know about lighting – and exactly what missteps to avoid.

According to the experts, there are three subtle but significant lighting mistakes that many of us make in fall – choices that can unintentionally drain a room of its warmth. And, unsurprisingly, it comes down to the small details.

3 Lighting Mistakes to Avoid in Fall

Before you reach for another lamp or new shade, it’s worth looking at how your lighting ideas are working for you. From missing dimmers to choosing the wrong bulb tone, a few simple oversights can leave your home feeling stark instead of soothing.

According to the designers I spoke to, these are the three most common lighting mistakes to avoid in the fall.

1. Skipping Dimmers

If there’s one lighting feature designers urge you not to overlook, it’s the humble dimmer. Without the ability to adjust brightness, spaces can feel flat and unwelcoming in the darker, cooler months, and as designer Nina Lichtenstein says, 'a dimmer allows light to ebb and flow like natural daylight, easing the transition from the bright energy of morning to the calm of evening.'

'Dimmers are the unsung heroes of good lighting,' says Kit Kemp, creative director of Kit Kemp Design Studio. 'They let you set the mood, shift the atmosphere, and bring a sense of theatre to even the smallest spaces. Every room should have them; they’re like volume control for your interiors.'

'They offer the flexibility to adapt a space throughout the day, allowing you to shift from task lighting to a softer, more ambient glow as evening falls,' adds Caroline Milns, head of interior design at Zulufish. 'It’s this control that transforms a room from simply functional to beautifully atmospheric.'

2. Relying on a single light source

For years, I assumed that a single statement pendant was enough to light a room. It wasn’t until the darker months rolled in that I noticed how flat and cold my spaces started to feel. Relying on one central light creates a stark, overhead glare that can drain the warmth out of even the most thoughtfully decorated room.

As Hollie Moreland, creative director at David Hunt Lighting, explains: 'Many people rely too heavily on a single light source, such as a single overhead pendant, for areas such as bedrooms, the entryway, and living rooms, which can create a bright and stark feeling.'

'Instead, introduce a layered lighting scheme which incorporates a combination of table and floor lamps, wall lights, and task lighting such as picture lights, to create a beautifully cocooning atmosphere,' Hollie suggests.

Designer Jeanne Barber, founder of Camden Grace Interiors, agrees that layering is key. 'The biggest fall lighting mistake is relying solely on overhead lighting,' she says. 'As the days get shorter, harsh ceiling lights can feel cold and flat. Layer in lamps and sconces on dimmers to create that soft, cozy glow we all crave this time of year.'

3. Choosing the wrong bulbs

If you’ve ever turned on a light and wondered why your room suddenly feels more like an office than a cozy retreat, the culprit is probably your bulb temperature.

The color of your bulbs – known as Kelvin – can make or break a room’s atmosphere. No matter how stylish your fixtures are, if your bulbs are too cool, everything from your paint color to your upholstery can feel lifeless.

'Don’t ignore Kelvin,' warns Allison Lind, design director of Allison Lind Interiors. 'The temperature of the bulbs you use is so incredibly important – gorgeous light fixtures or perfectly placed architectural lighting are useless if they don’t have the right temp.'

She advises saving brighter, cooler bulbs for working spaces like kitchens or bathrooms, where you need good getting-ready light – although she says never above 4000K – and opting for dimmable versions. Anything higher, she explains, starts to look blue and harsh.

Jo Plant, chief creative director at Pooky, adds: 'Be careful when you are choosing your bulbs. Make sure you are choosing 2700-2400K for beautiful ambient lighting that is welcoming and comfortable to sit in,' she advises. 'Even with a dimmer, if you choose the wrong color temperature for your bulbs or LEDs, your room will feel cold and you won't get the super cozy feeling we all love at this time of year.'

The smallest tweaks to your lighting scheme, like adding a dimmer or swapping out a bulb, can completely transform how a room looks and feels. It's one of the first and easiest steps to take before you even begin decorating every room for fall.

While often overlooked, lighting ideas dictate the mood, function, and the very character of a room. Get it right, and every surface, texture, and color comes to life; get it wrong, and even the most beautiful interiors can fall flat.

So if you're planning a major makeover, remodel, or home renovation, before you start poring over the latest lighting trends, there are some basics you need to nail from the outset. In The Library this month, we explore the foundations of great lighting design – from layering and placement to color temperature, output, and control.

With priceless and practical tips from interior designers and professional lighting experts, plus easy-to-digest rules to remember, consider this your blueprint for lighting a home that works beautifully from morning to night, and summer to fall – no matter your interior design style. This is Lighting 101.

The Essentials

Before you even start looking at beautiful fixtures, you need to sort out the Where, What, When, and How.

Where do you need lights? What do they need to light? And at what time of day? How many lights do you need in that space? And what wiring or ratings do they require? These are just the tip of the iceberg of questions that designers and lighting experts ask before working out how to practically and stylishly light a home.

But don't panic, here, we break it all down for you. Consider this your ultimate guide to everything you must consider for your home renovation – before you get to your electrical walk-through.

1. Layers of Light

How to layer lighting is one of the biggest tricks you can learn from the experts. Unfortunately, it's not as simple as picking a beautiful overhead light and being done. In fact, designers are leaning more and more away from the 'big light' in favor of a more layered and cozy approach.

'Lighting is far too often a design element that is overlooked – not the fixtures themselves, but the functionality and mood behind them,' explains Allison Lind, Design Director of Allisson Lind Interiors. And there are three key types that designers implement in almost every space.

'Just like textures and materials, one layer won't suffice when it comes to lighting. Every beautiful room needs its full function (brighter overheads), mood (sconces or decorative floor lamps), cozy task (table or reading lamps), and even sexy evening light (toekick or decorative uplighting),' she suggests.

These three layers are often referred to as:

• Ambient Lighting provides overall illumination. This often comes from ceiling fixtures or recessed downlights.
• Task Lighting targets specific activities like under-cabinet lights in a kitchen, a reading lamp beside a chair, or vanity sconces flanking a bathroom mirror. These lights are focused and purposeful.
• Accent Lighting adds mood and character and can be used to highlight certain features within a room, like picture lights to draw the eye to artwork.

Charlie Bowles, Director at Original BTC, recommends 'combining task, ambient, and accent lighting to ensure both functionality and atmosphere.'

'Lighting for the home has three distinct purposes. Task lighting helps you perform specific jobs, ambient or mood lighting creates atmosphere, while accent lighting highlights areas of interest,' Charlie explains. 'Effective, efficient lighting should be built up in layers, using a mixture of all three lighting types to achieve the perfect balance. If possible, consider at the planning stages to maximize opportunities,' he advises.

Similarly, Mark Holloway, Director at Holloways of Ludlow, also believes that good lighting design is all about balance. 'Start with a practical foundation, like your ceiling or wall lights, then build up with task lighting for function, and finish with decorative pieces that bring personality and warmth,' he suggests.

2. Placement and Spacing

Good lighting is as much about practicality as it is about looking pretty, and even the smallest shifts in position can change how a room feels and functions. Once you know what layers you need, you then want to work out placement – a.k.a. where light falls, and how evenly it is distributed.

This can vary between lighting types and from room to room. For kitchen lighting ideas, designers recommend following the three kitchen lighting rule that suggest using ambient, task, and accent lighting as follows: pendant or overhead lighting for the main cooking area or over an island, task lighting over the counters with sconces or under-cabinet lighting, and then finishing with some accent lighting with a kitchen countertop light.

Alternatively, for living room lighting, Charlie Bowles suggests: 'Pendants will throw down a large pool of light, while carefully placed table, floor, and wall lights will provide task and accent lighting for reading, watching TV, or highlighting your favorite piece of art. Having lots of options also means you can pare back your lighting later in the evening for a more intimate, cozy feeling.'

Sarah Magness, founder of Studio Magness, advises, however, that 'When lighting specific decorative features or elements, it's important to consult with an art or lighting specialist. The intensity of the light could be damaging to specific artworks or textiles. Always steer on less is more.'

Once you've worked out locations for your lights, there are a few reliable measurements to keep in your back pocket.

'For recessed fixtures, start with 4–6 feet of spacing between downlights, adjusting based on beam spread,' advises designer Nina Lichtenstein. This helps prevent harsh “hot spots” in the center of the room and creates a more flattering ambiance.

Olga Malyev, cofounder of Malyev Schafer, shares her top placement tip for recessed lighting: 'Follow the furniture lines,' she advises. 'Align your lights with the furniture below to create balance, symmetry, and a sense of flow throughout the room.'

'As a general rule, I place recessed lights around the perimeter of the room to avoid dark corners,' she continues. 'They should not be closer than 20–24 inches from the wall to prevent unwanted reflections. In larger rooms, perimeter lighting alone may not suffice, so I add extra fixtures above seating areas, never along main circulation.'

Pendant placement is also key. 'Placement and proportion matter,' Mark Holloway continues. 'For pendants, aim to hang them around 30–35 inches above a dining table or kitchen island, and allow roughly 20 inches between multiple fittings.'

At the bedside, sconces should sit roughly 20–24 inches above the top of the mattress, with the shade at eye level when seated for bedtime reading (or scrolling). For bathroom vanities, flank the mirror with sconces set around 4–6 inches from the mirror edge to provide balanced, shadow-free light and combine with some ceiling downlights on a separate switch circuit.

3. Color Temperature

While it might sound all rather technical, understanding lighting temperature is essential. To put it simply, the color temperature of your bulbs and lighting fixtures will determine how the paint on your walls reads (warm or muddy), how the slab of marble in the kitchen looks (crisp or stark), and how your own skin tone appears in the bathroom mirror (flattering or flat).

'Color temperature is the difference between a cool white or blue light – approximately ~3000 Kelvin, which is often referred to as daylight – and the warm soft light, ~2,700 Kelvin, you would get from traditional bulbs,' Charlie explains. 'Daylight bulbs are good for creating a bright room, but aren’t the best for relaxing in – throughout my home, I prefer to use warm light.'

Measured in Kelvins (K), as Charlie points out above, color temperature runs on a scale from warm to cool. Designers typically lean towards 2700K, or warm white, bulbs for living spaces and bedrooms, as it feels softer, more inviting, and is the closest to candlelight.

3000k, on the other hand, works better in kitchens and bathrooms where it offers a slightly cooler, more neutral tone that keeps these functional spaces looking fresh.

One of the most common lighting mistakes made is mixing multiple color temperatures in a single space. A combination of warm and cool light sources can create an uneven and unsettled effect, so instead, choose one consistent baseline for each room to create a sense of harmony.

'CRI (or Color Rendering Index) is just as important,' adds Lauren Gilberthorpe. 'Aim for 90 or above to ensure colors appear true and materials retain their richness under artificial light.'

Additionally, Olga suggests you should prioritize light quality and 'look for a high CRI (90+) for colors that pop naturally, and make sure your lights are flicker-free. A quick phone video can reveal hidden flaws: if the light dances or flickers, it’s not up to standard.'

4. Output and Dimming

The brightness level, otherwise known as the output, of lighting is an often misunderstood aspect of lighting. We often think the brighter the better, but too much, and a room feels harsh – while too little, and it becomes flat or impractical rather than cozy.

The idea is to balance output with dimming, which is an approach that allows you to fine-tune the atmosphere in the room as the light and your tasks change throughout the day.

'For output, aim for flexibility,' Nina suggests. 'Overhead ambient lighting should deliver around 20 lumens per square foot, task lighting around 50, and accent lighting can be lower but more focused.'

Beyond brightness, dimming lets you transition from crisp morning light to an intimate evening glow with a simple adjustment. 'Always ensure you can dim – it’s the simplest way to shift mood and function without changing the fitting itself,' says Mark.

'When it comes to choice of bulb, ideally, all your lights should be controlled separately and on dimmers, so you can switch off your bright task lighting when it’s time to sit down and relax,' adds Charlie.

'If possible, make sure your lights are controlled separately so you can create different moods at the flick of a switch. Asking your electrician to install several circuits means you’ll be able to introduce texture and depth.'

5. Bathrooms and Safety Ratings

While there are no hard and fast rules to lighting areas like your kitchen, bedroom, dining, or living spaces, bathroom lighting is a totally different game.

When it comes to lighting a bathroom, be that the master bathroom or a small powder room, they demand a mix of practical precision lighting and moody, atmospheric lighting for relaxing moments. They also come with strict safety requirements, since water and electricity don't mix well.

A well-planned bathroom scheme strikes the balance between function, feeling, and compliance. Start with the right ratings. Fixtures in bathrooms and wet rooms should be designed to withstand moisture, so you must be sure to use damp-rated fittings for general bathroom zones, and wet-rated fixtures inside showers or anywhere exposed to direct spray.

'Lighting should be factored in at the initial design stage to allow for the wiring and the creation of two or more lighting zones within the space,' Charlie suggests. 'Remember to ensure the lights you are planning to install have the relevant rating for where they are being placed. You don’t have to use damp-rated lights in a bathroom if they are outside the zones, for example, more the 60cm (23.6") away from the tap of a bathroom sink,' he notes.

In terms of layout, wall sconces flanking the bathroom vanity remain a designer favorite. 'One major mistake is relying solely on overhead lighting, which can cast unflattering shadows and create a flat, uninviting space,' he continues. 'Instead, incorporating wall lights at eye level provides even, flattering illumination.'

Layer this with ambient lighting from a ceiling light, and, if space allows, add a dimmable accent or decorative element for a spa-like finish.

'It’s also important to consider how lighting needs change throughout the day – brighter task lighting for mornings, softer ambient lighting for winding down in the evening,' says Charlie. 'Dimmable fixtures offer flexibility, while well-placed wall lights help reduce shadows for grooming tasks.'

Rules to Remember

To sum it all up, here are a few quick-fire tips and tricks to help you light your home with confidence and clarity.

1. Remember you're lighting THINGS, not the floor

It is worth remembering that you're looking to light surfaces and focal points, not creating a puddle of light on the floor in the middle of a room. Layering is your best key to achieving this.

Christina Cruz, of Christina Cruz Interiors, recommends: 'Layer in task lighting, like unique table lamps and art lights that display artwork on the wall. Incorporate cordless reading lamps that can move around the room freely. Sconces are always a nice touch if you want to create a mood.'

2. Three is the magic number

Designers urge you to consider three light sources in every room. Jeanne Barber, founder of Camden Grace Interiors, reiterates: 'Three is the magic number of light sources you need per room! You know that feeling when you walk into a boutique hotel or restaurant and it feels so cozy?! It’s the lighting!'

She says each room needs to have: 'Ambient background lighting like sconces, table lamps, recessed lights, or a beautiful sculptural overhead fixture. Accent lighting to add drama: think picture lights and strip lighting in bookcases. and task lighting like cozy reading lamps and floor lamps.'

3. Dimmers on everything

One of the biggest tips designers and lighting experts agree on is ensuring everything is dimmable. 'I love dimmers,' says Michelle Murphy of DEMI RYAN. 'They’re not just functional – they’re emotional. They let you shift the energy of a space throughout the day. I believe all lighting should be on a dimmer, whether it be task lighting or mood.'

'My golden rules are simple,' agrees Nina. 'Every room deserves at least three light sources, dimmers on every circuit, and color temperature consistent throughout the home. When light is right, everything and everyone feels better.'

4. Stick to one temperature per room

The color temperature of your bulbs is another small detail that designers urge you not to overlook. For an easy guide, Christina Cruz recommends:

'Kitchen: We recommend 2700-3000K for recessed lighting, but prefer a dimmer to provide control.

Undercabinet Lighting: 2700-3000K, align the temperature to the same lights in the space.

Sconces & Decorative Fixtures: 2700–3000K to create a calming atmosphere when the overheads are off.'

5. Mix up your lighting STYLES as well as TYPES

As well as creating layers of ambient, task, and accent lighting, Olga Malyev advises: 'To avoid making the space feel overloaded – like a lighting showroom – I suggest mixing fixtures of different designs and scales: sculptural and minimal, vintage and contemporary, with shades and without. As always, it’s all about contrast.'

'When choosing fixtures, don’t be afraid to combine different finishes, metal tones, and shapes – they shouldn’t look like they were all bought in one shop,' she adds. 'What matters is that the fixtures are connected stylistically and by the warmth of their light. I prefer a consistent, warm tone close to that of traditional incandescent bulbs (around 2700 K).'

6. Have different lights on different switch circuits

As well as ensuring your lighting is dimmable, you want to be able to switch off these different layers depending on the time of day or task. For example, in the bathroom, overhead lights and sconces will help you with getting ready, while switching off the overheads leaves lower light for relaxed bathing.

'If there are many decorative fixtures, I like to divide them into several groups on separate switches,' says Olga. 'This allows you to create different lighting scenarios and adjust the atmosphere depending on the mood or occasion. Brighter, more functional lights can then be on dimmers.'

7. Placement is crucial, too

Don't underestimate the power of the placement and spacing of your lighting in each space.

Designer Lauren Gilberthorpe shares her easy tips: 'For ceiling fittings, I typically place recessed lights around 4-5 feet apart, depending on ceiling height and the size of the space. Over a dining table or kitchen island, pendants should hang around 30–35 inches above the surface for balance and proportion. Wall lights are ideally positioned at eye level, approximately 5 feet from the floor, while table and floor lamps should be scaled to the furniture and surrounding space.'

8. Don't ignore bathroom safety ratings

Lighting in bathrooms requires a little extra attention due to moisture and electrical safety standards, and it is important to ensure you're being code-compliant.

Christina Cruz breaks it down, saying you need to look for the "Damp Location" on the spec sheet, as this means 'the fixtures are suitable for areas with humidity but without direct water contact (e.g., above mirrors, general ceiling lights). Most bathroom sconces and ceiling lights fall into this category,' she says.

'A wet-rating is required anywhere a fixture may come into direct contact with water (e.g., inside a shower or above a freestanding tub if within the splash zone),' she adds. 'These fixtures are sealed to prevent moisture damage and electrical hazards. Look for “Wet Location” or “IP65” or higher ratings.'

FAQs

When done well, good lighting disappears – or rather, it becomes something you feel rather than notice. It shapes mood, flatters color schemes, and turns a room from purely functional into deeply inviting. Whether you’re mapping circuits or choosing shades, it always pays to start with expert guidance and remember to light things, not floors, layer for warmth and clarity, and plan for all moments of the day.

The Homes & Gardens Library is your definitive guide to timeless design wisdom. From choosing the perfect sofa to mastering the fundamentals of layout, each piece in the series draws on expert insight to guide you through the key principles of interior design. Thoughtfully curated yet easy to digest, it’s the essential reference for anyone looking to create a home that is beautiful, practical, and enduring.

As the season begins to transition into deeper winter weather, and dark evenings continue to get longer, optimizing Feng Shui lighting tips is one of the best ways to make your home feel instantly cozy this November.

Our Feng Shui expert practitioners explain that as the rooms that felt bright, light, and airy in summer suddenly feel heavy and dark in the colder months, a stagnant Qi, or Chi, can be created. This can bring fatigue, poor health, and leave us uninspired.

For that reason, it's more important than ever to set the mood with layered lighting, to bring comforting rest and reflection energy, and it will instantly become a fall Feng Shui essential for a cozier home.

How to Use Feng Shui Lighting

Lighting is often used in Feng Shui to create good energy in your home.

Suzanne Roynon, Feng Shui consultant and Interiors Therapist, explains, 'Layering is used in a multitude of ways to add depth, and support the Feng Shui energy required in any particular part of the home, so taking advantage of light to add a more inviting ambiance for a positive flow of chi – or lifeforce – energy makes total sense.

'Ensure the shades of lighting are mutually supportive, and avoid crossing cool tones with warm ones as this creates a clash, which can be difficult to relax in.'

To use Feng Shui lighting in your home:

1. Think About How a Room is Used

First things first, says Suzanne, avoid any Feng Shui design mistakes by thinking about how the room is most often used before getting started on additional lighting ideas.

'If the room is occupied during the day, you’ll need to amplify or simulate natural daylight wherever possible to support mood-regulating hormones,' she explains. 'Feng Shui is all about making the best use of positive energy, so consider daylight bulbs, such as the TJOY LED Light Bulbs available at Amazon for task lighting, and to offset SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and the winter blues.

'Some SAD lamps, like the Light Therapy Lamp from Amazon, can switch from daylight level lumens to warm white at the flick of a switch, making them the perfect choice for rooms which double as work from home spaces during the day, to sitting rooms at night.'

Task lighting, adds Ivana Nady, Feng Shui consultant and the founder of Zen-Interiors, is purposeful, adding directional light for specific tasks, such as reading lamps.

'Depending on the lightbulb used, it can bring in yin or yang Qi,' she explains. This is something to consider when it comes to your home office lighting ideas, for example.

2. Use Accent Lighting

Next, layer lighting with accent lights to make your home cozy in November and beyond.

'The easiest way to activate the Qi and bring back the warmth to our home is to layer the lighting,' says Ivana. 'As our homes are multi-dimensional, we have to design the lighting with this in mind.

'Ambient lighting is usually the main source of the lighting in the room: a ceiling fixture, suspended lighting, or wall-mounted lighting. This type of lighting carries yang Qi, and encourages action and clarity, but can feel too harsh and clinical for cozy autumn evenings.

'Accent lights are the real mood setter. They bring depth and character to the room. They are soft and diffused, and carry calming and restorative Qi. A little lamp that you bought on your last trip to Egypt can be placed in dark corners to wake up the sluggish Qi.

'Or, add a sparkle of fairy lights playfully spread over the walls. These touches will turn a house into a home – without them, a room can feel impersonal. With layers, the rooms will feel textured and alive.

Importantly, adds Suzanne, accent lighting will define without being overpowering, which is why it's preferable to the downward puddle of brightness from central light fittings or a sea of ceiling LED spots.

'Choose dimmable options wherever possible to fine-tune the room to your own requirements.' For example, Suzanne recommends the LDOPTO Under Cabinet Lights available in a pack of four at Amazon for this.

3. Illuminate Dark Corners

Finally, says Suzanne, speaking of dark corners with sluggish Qi, 'Illuminate the dark corners where stagnant Chi might skulk,' which is essential for Feng Shui energy mapping.

'Unused or cluttered spaces will not support your Feng Shui in any way, and this is as relevant to a multitude of light sources as to a pile of unsorted stuff. Think of the space in 3D and pool light in layers from floor to mid-height.

'Lift a low ceiling with uplighting to manage any suggestion of downward pressure, and lower a high one for a cozy feel in a double-height great room or lobby. Be creative with your options to bring the room alive.'

What to Shop

Meet the Experts

'Layered lighting brings harmony, and the essence of Feng Shui to your room, allowing you to adjust the yin and yang Qi as you need it,' concludes Ivana.

As you focus on your lighting, don't forget to consider these Feng Shui living room mistakes, too.

Obviously, I’d heard the buzz about Pooky's cult-favorite cordless table lamps. As an interiors editor, I’d tracked the beloved UK brand’s arrival stateside back in February – and its meteoric rise since. In just over a year, its playful, mix-and-match shades and sculptural bases have gone from insider secret to ubiquitous obsession.

I’d tested them before in stores but never actually taken one home – until recently, when I got my hands on the Smaller Marmaron Table Lamp. I picked out the classic combination of a gray marble base and a gloriously punchy black-and-white ikat shade.

I hailed a cab instead of my usual train simply because I couldn’t wait to get home and see the lighting idea in action. Where would it go? Would the legends be true? Would I finally retire my clunky plug-in lamps in favor of something sleeker, smarter, and cordless?

After living with this portable lamp in situ for a few months now, here are my honest thoughts on whether Pooky’s Smaller Marmaron Table Lamp is really worth the hype.

First Impressions

I have zero patience for complicated tech. I don’t read manuals, I refuse to download extra apps, and if something requires more than two cords, I’m out. So the fact that the Marmaron fit so seamlessly into my life speaks volumes.

If you’re new to Pooky, the cordless magic comes down to the brand’s Genesis Rechargeable Cell: a sleek, removable capsule with a clear on-off button and a discreet USB port. I popped the cell into the base, pressed the button (it lit up immediately), and placed the shade on top. The entire encounter took maybe 90 seconds.

You can tap the cell directly to turn it on or off, but the real thrill is the tiny gold remote. From across the room, you can adjust the brightness (lower settings stretch the charge to 17 hours) or even set a timer for 15, 30, or 60 minutes, which means you never have to remember to switch it off yourself.

After a few test runs – and the slightly humbling realization that I was lusting after a remote control – the real question was: where to put my new obsession?

Living With the Marmaron

Sure, I could have put my Marmaron on a desk or bookshelf – and, to be fair, it’s had brief stints on both in the month or so since entering my life – but I wanted to test the full promise of its cordless freedom. So I chose somewhere more unorthodox and maybe even a little precarious: my shoe rack. Necessary? Probably not. But I like to think my children deserve a little ambience, too.

And I think they enjoyed it. Most nights, as I gestured from my laptop toward the lamp with its gold remote, the soft, linen-diffused glow washed over rows of mostly black leather, transforming a purely functional storage zone into something approaching a vignette. I’ve mostly kept it on the lowest brightness, which might explain why I’ve only charged it twice in a month – impressive for what I’d call pretty heavy use.

For now, the shoe rack seems to be its spiritual home. But after my bathroom vanity light mysteriously gave out last week (no, not the bulbs), the Marmaron has been pulling double duty there. It’s been the perfect stand-in – casting a warm, moody glow that somehow makes my small bathroom feel elevated and serene.

Final Thoughts

My marble-and-ikat combo comes in at a cool $265 – not nothing, but fair given the materials, craftsmanship, and that glorious gold remote, which, in my opinion, is priceless. It has the weight – both visual and literal – of something substantial and enduring, not a placeholder piece (which, frankly, too many cordless lamps end up feeling like). Yet it still delivers all the flexibility I didn’t know I needed.

My apartment is small and always in flux – constantly rearranged depending on my mood, my guests, or my inability to commit to one layout. The Marmaron rolls with all of it, somehow making every configuration feel intentional, even when I’m phoning it in. (If future me can’t be bothered to get up after watching my nightly shows, the built-in timer has become my unofficial bedtime reminder – a rare act of technology I actually appreciate.)

Aesthetically, I’m convinced I’ve landed on my perfect pairing in the marble base and ikat shade. Still, the beauty of this lamp is that it doesn’t demand monogamy – there are hundreds of shades to mix, match, and swap like accessories. I’m already eyeing a few backups for future mood shifts – or, more likely, wardrobe changes. My Marmaron gets it.

Alternative Pooky Shades

I landed on the living-room/closet/shoe-rack junction (in NYC, those zones tend to merge), but again, the real magic of this lamp is its portability. Believe me – it’s already making guest appearances all over the place.

And speaking of wandering light, have you ‘lampscaped’ your kitchen yet? Dive into the kitchen countertop lighting trend, cozying up our culinary endeavors.

For decades, many of our bathrooms suffered from the most basic – and disastrous – of lighting choices. The dreaded overhead spotlights were once the go-to default, a decision many interior designers bitterly disapprove of and one most homeowners are now coming to profoundly regret.

The spotlight’s first sin is just how nauseatingly unflattering the bright, overhead light is, casting harsh shadows that emphasize every flaw. Its second sin is the glaring lack of control: there is nothing more frustrating than trying to wind down for a hot, relaxing soak in the bath when your only options are total darkness or full-throttle, dazzling, bright-white floodlights. The crucial, corrective key lies in layering lighting – using multiple sources to achieve the perfect middle ground between task functionality and tranquil atmosphere.

If you are currently setting out on a bathroom remodel and wondering where to find truly inspired bathroom lighting ideas and where to buy bathroom lighting UK that will transform your daily routine and truly elevate your design, the time to ditch the spotlights is now. Forget the single source and embrace sconces, vanity strips, and dimmable warmth.

The places to shop for beautiful, timeless bathroom lighting

Here is our exclusive edit of the most esteemed bathroom lighting brands in the UK, everything you need to understand about their unique aesthetic, and the specific designs we recommend for achieving that perfect, flattering glow.

C.P. Hart

C.P. Hart has long been celebrated for redefining luxury bathroom design – and its approach to lighting is no exception. With over 80 years of expertise, the brand understands that lighting is the quiet architect of atmosphere, transforming practical spaces into serene sanctuaries.

From precision-engineered task lighting to sculptural wall sconces and ambient ceiling pieces, every C.P. Hart lighting design is meticulously curated to balance beauty with function. The brand collaborates with the world’s most innovative manufacturers – including AXOR, Dornbracht, Gessi, and TOTO – to offer collections that reflect both technical excellence and timeless style.

Across its award-winning showrooms, C.P. Hart presents immersive lighting displays that showcase how layered illumination can elevate form, texture, and mood. Whether you’re seeking to enhance a contemporary scheme or highlight classic detailing, C.P. Hart’s expert designers are on hand to craft lighting plans that bring your vision beautifully to life.

Drummonds

Every Drummonds bathroom is known for its delectably elegant and deeply sophisticated aesthetic, and their lighting offering is an equally sublime continuation of that ethos.

While Drummonds’ bathroom lighting collection is deliberately modest, it functions like the perfect capsule wardrobe for your interiors: comprising a few select pieces of truly timeless, classic, and always-in-style fundamentals. The overarching aesthetic is a clear nod to bygone, luxurious eras, defined by a refined sensibility of expert craftsmanship.

Each fixture is a sophisticated investment, featuring beautifully detailed metalwork and a protective, moisture-proof glass casing over the bulb, making them perfectly suited for the challenging, steam-filled environment of a bathroom. These are lifelong, inherently elegant additions that instantly elevate your home above the ordinary.

Best for: Vintage luxe style

Price: From £430

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Heathfield & Co

If your style gravitates toward luxurious, art deco-inspired, and genuinely striking designs, the Kent-based brand Heathfield & Co. is essential to know.

Their highly curated edit of bathroom lighting, engineered to meet rigorous safety standards for installation near water sources, features several distinct and wonderfully unconventional styles. Their selection of sconces, in particular, delivers a concentrated, flattering glow to a bathroom, and crucially, many styles are dimmable – which, in our opinion, is an absolute necessity, transforming the room from a utilitarian space to a true spa retreat.

What makes their collection truly fascinating is their unique and artful approach to lighting design. They specialize in uncommon fixtures that elevate the functionality of lighting to an expressive, decorative art form, ensuring your bathroom illumination is as stylish as it is atmospheric.

Best for: Sculptural lighting

Price: From £240

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The Soho Lighting Company

The bathroom lighting collection from The Soho Lighting Company is a fantastic example of a hard-to-achieve blend: seamlessly marrying traditional elegance with a sharp contemporary edge.

There is a distinct, appealingly nautical theme woven through their designs, notably in the liberal use of brass. This brass, which develops a unique, rich patina over time – known as a 'living finish' – means the fixtures age beautifully, in fact looking better and more customized the longer they remain in your home. Nearly all of their lighting features elegant fluted glass, the perfect companion to the developing brass finish. The two materials combined achieve a wonderfully retro-luxe look, making them the ideal, character-filled antidote to mundane, unflattering spotlights.

While The Soho Lighting Company offers a selection of handsome sconce lights, it’s their pendant lights that truly pack a punch. Pendants are seldom seen in bathrooms, but they can be extraordinarily stylish and serve a crucial function: softening the overall look of the space. Given that bathrooms are often dominated by hard, shiny surfaces, these fixtures introduce interesting textures and shapes. Although their pendant lights aren't IP rated, for those with a larger bathroom, they are worth considering, as they are safe to hang as long as they are placed 2.4 meters away from any water source.

Best for: Art Deco-inspired lighting

Price: From £120

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Original BTC

Original BTC, a truly exceptional British company, stands out in a world of mass mechanical production. They use centuries-old techniques to painstakingly handcraft every one of their beautiful lights, all locally in Oxfordshire – with the exception of their beautiful bone china lights, which are still made in Stone on Trent, the heart of the British ceramics industry.

This commitment to local, handcrafted design details is absolutely crucial to so many homeowners today. The bathroom lights on offer at Original BTC are distinctly edgy and cool, which look perfectly at home in modern and contemporary interior design schemes.

However, they also do a wonderful job of providing a sophisticated, industrial cut against more traditional or maximalist looks, serving as a wonderful juxtaposition that adds immediate interest and a genuine point of difference. If you want to get a foothold on what lighting styles are absolutely bang on trend and exceedingly stylish right now, their site offers inspiration in abundance.

Best for: Contemporary lighting

Price: From £199

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Pooky

If you feel an uncontrollable urge to buy everything in sight when you browse the Pooky website, rest assured – you are not alone.

This brand is a genuine design force, with so many of us adorning our houses with their fixtures, yet their collection manages to deliver perfectly judged designs every single time. Despite being one of the industry's go-to brands, Pooky’s almost infinite variety of shades and fixtures means it is highly improbable you will ever see your specific choice in somebody else's home.

The clinical nature of bathrooms can often leave them feeling cold and soulless, but Pooky lights are always unerringly characterful, injecting large quantities of personality into the space. For their ability to reliably warm up a room and add genuine charm, they are an absolute must-have.

Best for: Trend-led lighting

Price: From £45

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Rothschild and Bickers

Interior trends are, by their very nature, ephemeral. However, when investing in items that sit at the luxury end of the spectrum, the trick is to spot those that deliver far more than immediate allure – those special items that can genuinely be cherished over a lifetime. Rothschild and Bickers produce truly swoonworthy bathroom lights that achieve exactly that, and it is this commitment to enduring quality that places them firmly in the pantheon of design greats.

Every light in their bathroom collection is meticulously crafted from mouth-blown glass. This artisanal process is what gives each piece its distinctive coloring and unique shape, ensuring that no two fixtures are identical. While every light in their collection possesses a powerful, timeless appeal, they are far from understated or muted. This stands in direct contrast to the popular belief that only simple design can be enduring.

Instead, these fixtures are opulent decorative flourishes with recognizable, formative influences: think the decadent, glamorous maximalism of Victorian boudoirs blended with the voluptuous, organic shapes and trims of Art Nouveau. They are an investment in expressive, sophisticated style that will never fade.

Best for: One-of-a-kind pieces

Price: From £494

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Jim Lawrence

Jim Lawrence boasts one of the most impressive and expansive collections of bathroom lighting we’ve encountered. They offer an expertly curated edit that includes an unusually large variety of traditional yet strikingly refined pieces that will instantly prettify any bathroom, looking perfectly at home in town, country, traditional, or contemporary schemes alike.

Their collection features a vast selection of bathroom wall lights in a plethora of styles, alongside a thoughtful selection of bathroom ceiling lights. The ceiling fixtures, in particular, showcase an attractive waterproof cable and are crafted from solid natural brass. Crucially, Jim Lawrence treats this brass with a specialized antiquing solution to intentionally speed up the natural tarnishing process. This technique achieves that desirable mottled patina, resulting in wonderfully soft and unique organic patterns on the surface – a testament to quality craftsmanship and enduring style.

Best for: Large selection of classic designs

Price: From £190

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Holloways of Ludlow

The necessity of strict bathroom lighting regulations often forces lighting brands to offer a limited, frustratingly small collection of fixtures. However, this scarcity absolutely does not ring true for Holloways of Ludlow, which provides an abundant, ample choice with its bountiful collection designed specifically for bathrooms.

The overarching aesthetic expertly recalls yesteryear, lending an inherently welcoming and familiar feel – a look that is classic, yet effortlessly style-forward. Crucially, their sheer variety caters to every taste, with several striking contemporary pieces dotted throughout the collection for those who prefer modern decorating.

So substantial is their collection that there is very little chance of not finding the perfect fixture – they even offer specialized sauna lights, ideal if the concept of Hygge and a spa-like retreat is your goal. Their website is information-dense, making it a highly reliable resource for making a stylish and sensible choice if your bathroom is in dire need of a sophisticated style injection.

Best for: Affordable luxury

Price: From £75

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Corston Architectural Detail

Corston Architectural Detail is a brand that may have flown under your radar, but it is one well worth getting acquainted with immediately. They have perfected a range of clean, unfussy, and ultra-chic lighting designs that instantly convey a sense of quiet elegance and restraint.

Their bathroom lighting collection is specifically designed for use in zones two and three of the bathroom, ensuring essential safety compliance. Each piece features a pared-back, exceedingly sophisticated silhouette with enduring appeal.

For a brand with such a forward-thinking, design-led aesthetic, you would be forgiven for expecting steep prices. However, their lighting is remarkably reasonable price-wise, offering genuine value for high style. As a final bonus, each of their styles is refreshingly customizable, available in your choice of bronze, brass, or nickel finish to perfectly complement your hardware.

Best for: Simple, timeless, and beautifully made lighting

Price: From £90

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West One Bathrooms Ltd

Celebrated for its visionary approach to luxury bathroom design, West One Bathrooms Ltd has become synonymous with craftsmanship, innovation, and a uniquely British sense of elegance. Since its founding in London in 1978, the family-run brand has mastered the art of transforming the everyday ritual into something extraordinary. Now, its approach to bathroom lighting reflects that same philosophy – creating ambience as much as illumination.

From sculptural wall sconces that frame a mirror in soft, flattering light to statement pendants that bring architectural presence, each design in West One Bathrooms’ curated collection unites form and function with effortless precision. Every fixture is selected for its ability to enhance mood, texture, and reflection – the essential ingredients of a beautifully lit space. With decades of expertise and an unwavering dedication to bespoke design, West One Bathrooms continues to define what elegant, atmospheric bathroom lighting looks like today.

What is IP Rating and why do you need to pay attention to it?

Lee offers some insight in terms of lighting regulations; a bathroom is considered a special location for electrical installation. You just need to ensure your bathroom lights meet the IP regulations required, wall lights should carry a minimum rating of IP44, and a higher IP65 rating when closer to water.'

Charlie Bowles, Director of Original BTC, adds, 'IP stands for ‘Ingress Protection’ and is used to define the degree of protection provided against water to its electrical connections. You don’t have to use IP-rated lights in a bathroom if they are outside the zones, for example, more the 60cm away from the tap of a bathroom sink.'

Luckily, any good manufacturer of bathroom lighting should make it quite explicit on their site or in their showroom which lighting within this collection is suitable for bathrooms.

What bulbs work best for bathroom lighting?

Lee advises we first decide precisely how we want our bathroom to feel: 'Do you want your bathroom to feel warm and cosy or bright and light? Allow this to lead the way in choosing the colour temperature to ensure you create the appropriate ambience for the room.'

'Equally, for applying makeup, you need your bulbs to have a high CRI (Colour Render Index). CRI is the degree to which your artificial light represents true daylight, with 100 CRI being the truest form. The average UK bulb is level 82 CRI, and ours are the highest available 95-97 CR, so you will not leave the bathroom with unseen toothpaste on your cheek or needless shaving cuts!'

How and why to layer bathroom lighting?

Layering lighting essentially means giving yourself more choice and is the key to well-thought-out and well-executed lighting ideas.

Where 'task lighting' is required, bright, even harsh light is a necessity - maybe in areas where we apply makeup or inspect that relentless chin hair that won't get the message. But on the whole, the bathroom is a place to soothe, relax, and unwind, so setting the tone with warmer, softer, ambient lighting is ideal.

A candle sconce is a wonderful addition to any bathroom, so too are rechargeable and portable lamps, which require no electrical feed and allow you to read a book in the tub without squinting. They also help to make the bathroom feel more relaxed and in keeping with the rest of the house. Bathrooms needn't feel clinical and lifeless.

Charlie notes that we should 'treat lighting in the bathroom as you would any living area: bathrooms are now as much relaxation spaces as practical spaces, so consider your lighting at the planning stage to create a bathroom you’ll enjoy for years to come. What’s more, materials are just as important as style when choosing lighting for your bathroom. Choose materials that bring natural, relaxed softness, such as bone china. Layering hand-crafted, natural textures and finishes brings warmth to your scheme, all while being timeless and characterful.'

As the nights grow longer in early fall, I am always very conscious of how much more I rely on indoor lighting. Those extra hours of brightness can quietly drive up energy bills, especially when lights are left on in empty rooms.

One of the best fixes I’ve found? Motion sensor lights. Not only do they prevent wasted energy, but they have made my home safer, too.

If you’re looking for a simple way to cut energy bills and boost efficiency, here’s where to put motion sensor lights inside your home.

Where to put motion sensor lights to reduce your energy bills

Although lighting ideas were not really on my radar for saving money at home in fall and winter, James Harrison at electrician firm Fusion Electrical, pointed out that small adjustments can make a surprising difference over the course of a year, and that includes lighting.

'Some of these cost very little to set up, but could save you money every single month,' he says. 'Installing a motion sensor means your lights will only come on when someone is in the room.

'It avoids wasted energy when a switch has been left on and removes the need to remember to turn them off.'

Locating motion sensor light bulbs in the high-traffic areas of a home, which are the areas you go in and out of constantly, can help to cut energy costs.

This is especially true if you are like me. I am particularly prone to forgetting to hit a switch on the way out of a room, or I often have my hands full, refusing to take two trips in or out of a room.

Head of Solved, Punteha van Terheyden adds, 'I often go upstairs and find that my daughter has left the hallway, bathroom, or her bedroom light on for hours, despite not using any of those spaces. Motion sensor lighting would be a great and easy fix for this.'

As a result, lights are left on when they are not rigged up to a timer system like my prized Phillips Hue smart bulbs starter kit, from Amazon, making my lights one of the vampire appliances secretly costing me money.

In my period home, where several rooms lack natural light, motion sensor bulbs also have the added benefit of not just improving functionality, but helping me to stay safe, too.

The motion light on my stairway, for example, has stopped me from tumbling down the staircase at any given opportunity (usually because I have put something on the stairs to be put away, and forgotten about it).

Similarly, my motion-sensor entryway lighting ideas help me lock up the house each night without jamming the key in the wrong way round again (yes, this did happen once, and my landlord was less than thrilled).

What to shop

When shopping for motion sensor lightbulbs specifically to save money, James advises, 'Always choose products in the top efficiency classes and make sure your electrical installations are in safe working order.

'If you suspect an issue, have an electrician check it. Saving money should never come at the cost of safety.'

FAQs

Can you put a motion sensor bulb in a regular socket?

Motion sensor light bulbs are designed to slot into your usual light fitting sockets, with no electrical adjustments needed. Simply replace the bulb and switch it on at the wall (leaving it switched on).

It isn't just your light bulbs that are draining your funds. There is one common appliance mistake that could be adding $100s to your energy bills each year that needs addressing ASAP.

With fall officially here and nights drawing in, you'll be relying on your home lighting more than ever. But, with more dependence on artificial light sources comes more electricity used and higher energy bills.

For that reason, we recommend swapping your bulbs over to these EcoSmart Dimmable LED Light Bulbs, available at Home Depot, as soon as possible.

Here's why they're an essential if you're looking to cut energy bills this fall and winter.

Why we recommend switching to these Home Depot EcoSmart bulbs

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

It's no secret that energy bills are higher in winter, attributed to common heating system mistakes and common things making your heating system work harder. What you might not have realized, though, is that your increased lighting use can have a profound effect on your monthly spending, too.

That's why we suggest replacing your bulbs with the EcoSmart Dimmable LED Light Bulbs, available at Home Depot, which will improve your home's EPC rating and keep energy bill costs down.

In fact, they boast a $0.67 saving per year, amounting to an estimated $57 total over each bulb's 15,000-hour lifetime – meaning one pack of four bulbs could save you $228, making them a worthy eco-home improvement.

What's more, the bulbs are compatible with most dimmer switches and are soft and warm, ideal for swapping out any flickering lights and making a living room cozy with lighting.

With customers saying they're 'Good light bulbs at an affordable price,' 'nice and bright,' and have been 'running over five years strong,' we're as 'sold on these' as they are.

Just remember, if you are looking to keep energy bills down, you do need to turn the lights off when you leave a room.

What to shop

FAQs

Are LED lightbulbs bad for you?

No, LED lightbulbs, luckily, are perfectly safe for humans and for your eyes. Where you may have seen information on the contrary refers, in the majority, to the negative impact of blue light from LEDs, primarily from screens like your mobile phone, tablet, or laptop, which can suppress melatonin, interfere with circadian rhythms, cause visual fatigue, and difficulty sleeping.

While this blue light is present in home lighting, the effects tend to be negligible.

Do you know about the most economical way to run heating? According to our panel of HVAC pros, smart thermostats are the star of the show.

As the saying goes, one day you’re in and the next day you’re out. That applies as much to jelly shoes and camo pants as it does to lighting trends, a category designers see at both its best and its most regrettable every day.

Most of us don’t buy lighting to be ironic – we’re hoping it adds atmosphere, maybe even a little magic. But even the most flattering glow can fall out of step with the culture, the mood, or the moment.

So you don’t end up with the lighting idea equivalent of a padded-shoulder power suit, Homes & Gardens tapped designers to weigh in on the fixtures that have lingered a little too long. Ahead, seven outdated lighting trends for 2026, you may want to dim.

1. Exposed Edison bulbs

Exposed Edison bulb fixtures had their heyday in the late 2000s and early 2010s, but you still see evidence of this dated lighting trend around now, and designers say it's time to leave it behind. ‘Once charming, these now feel more like nostalgic cliches,’ says Lumens CMO Dana Gers.

What began as a wink to history now reads as novelty. We’re not in the late 1800s, after all. ‘Exposed Edison bulbs and industrial pipe fixtures once carried the spirit of authenticity, but they’ve become reductive,’ Dana continues, ‘and like one-note gestures rather than meaningful design.’ Nostalgia has its place – design thrives on it – but this look has been done to death.

For Edison loyalists, there’s still a way forward. Dana points to Louis Poulsen’s Aged Brass Collection, developed in the 1920s by Poul Henningsen, which offers a similarly diffused, heritage-inspired glow.

2. Mid-century Sputnik pendants

Think of the mid-century Sputnik pendant as the more polished, design-forward sister to the Edison bulb – both built on the same exposed principle, both now past their prime. Andrea Goldman, founder and principal of Illinois-based Andrea Goldman Design, says even this icon has lost its luster.

‘Lighting trends like the mid-century Sputnik pendants have had their moment!’ insists Andrea. ‘While the original design is a beautiful blend of both retro and futuristic style, it has been an easy lighting design to imitate at lower price points. Unfortunately, the commercial appeal has caused replicas to show up everywhere.’ And once everyone has one – and they do – it may be time to move on.

3. Brass overload

Brass is the costume jewelry of lighting right now – everywhere, shiny, and arguably a little too obvious. Designers aren’t canceling it altogether, but in 2026 they’re urging you to break the habit of reaching for brass as the default.

‘Brass will always be a timeless, beautiful material, but we think its use might be a bit too omnipresent right now,’ say Joshua Evan Goldfarb and Michael Edward Moriano, the founders of Evan Edward, a New York and Miami-based interior design and architecture studio. ‘We think it’s time to mix things up and explore some different metal tones for a fresh look. If your heart is set brass, try burnished brass, antiqued brass, etc.!’

If you don’t banish the brass, tread carefully: the wrong finish will cheapen a room instantly. ‘We’d rather see a beautiful polished nickel than a bad (green or orange) brass,’ note Mallory Robins and Elizabeth Bennett of Kobel + Co. Los Angeles-based designer Jessica Nicastro echoes the sentiment: faux distressing reads fake. ‘I’d much rather see materials that patina naturally over time.’

4. Harsh industrial fixtures

If you’re noticing a theme, you’re not wrong – a few of the looks on this list lean industrial, and that whole aesthetic is fading fast. Lumens CMO Dana Gers calls out the culprits as ‘utilitarian pipes and raw metals,’ which she says ‘lack nuance.’

‘Industrial fixtures were once bold design elements, but have now become dated and heavy,’ adds JoAnnah Kornak, SVP & Executive Creative Director at Holly Hunt. ‘I could personally do without overly industrial fixtures,’ she continues, ‘they feel out of step with modern interiors.’ The truth is, we’ve moved on from industrial kitchens and loft-like living rooms, and the lighting needs to keep up.

Even the newer takes – those severe, high-gloss cordless table lamps that once had a moment (and now live on Amazon) – are losing their appeal. ‘Super high-gloss finishes, especially in stark whites or blacks, they just don’t feel warm or timeless,’ says Los Angeles designer Jessica Nicastro.

What’s next are pieces that keep the edge but add some elegance. Dana points to Lambert & Fils’s Silo Atelier 03 LED Pendant, and the Float Wide LED Pendant by Ladies and Gentlemen Studio, both of which trade brute force for geometry, craftsmanship, and a more nuanced glow.

5. Incorrect scale

‘Another outdated lighting trend we would love to retire is the incorrect use of scale with lighting selections,’ says Illinois-based interior designer Andrea Goldman.

The instinct is often to play it safe, but in 2026, bigger is better. ‘Don’t be afraid to go big with your lighting!’ Goldman insists. ‘Way too often, small pendants or undersized wall sconces are used in grand, large spaces. Selecting the right scale chandelier is just as important as choosing the correct size dining table for your space.’

6. Minimal ring pendants

There was a moment when slim silhouettes – from jewelry to shoulder straps – signaled cool. Midi rings were barely visible, and pendant lights followed suit with glowing circles suspended in space.

‘Endlessly repeated, their novelty has worn thin,’ says Lumens CMO Dana Gers. What once felt elegant has ‘been reproduced so extensively that their impact has flattened.’

Now, designers are pushing the form further. Pieces like Lee Broom’s Eclipse Chandelier reimagine the circle as a layered, mirrored, jewelry-like sculpture – a move that feels far less reductive.

7. Utility lighting

Task lighting belongs in garages and studios, not styled within arm’s reach of your velvet sofa or cozy bed. In 2026, utilitarian fixtures are officially out of fashion.

‘Lately, we’ve noticed more lighting that feels better-suited for offices than bedrooms or living rooms,’ say Joshua Evan Goldfarb and Michael Edward Moriano, the founders of Evan Edward. ‘Let’s leave the ultra-functional, three-arm desk lamps at the workplace where they belong and bring softness back to our homes!’

Be less practical, more playful. Opt for fabric-shaded pendants or sculptural fixtures that – unlike their soon-to-be-gone utilitarian buddies – could never be mistaken for an appliance. Lighting isn’t just a tool; it’s an accessory.

The key takeaway is that many outdated lighting trends are ones that lean overly practical, too industrial, and almost clinical. Lighting for 2026 is about adding character and personality with creative designs that are soft and playful.

As Lumens CMO Dana Gers notes, ‘What we’re seeing instead is a return to design that feels both innovative, human and emotive: pieces that honor heritage, celebrate craftsmanship, and bring nuance to form and material.'

While the patio might be the heart of my home in summer, fall is where the living room comes into its own. And now that we're spending more time hosting indoors – from movie nights to cozy candlelit dinners – I've been searching for some easy yet chic ways to create that soft glow that makes a space feel truly inviting.

We all know it's your lighting ideas that have the power to change the entire mood of a space. Lamps and candles aside, I've always loved the stylish look of picture lights (especially as an amateur thrifted art collector), but the idea of going to the length of getting them wired in or dealing with visible cords has always stopped me.

Luckily for me, portable lamp technology has reached new heights, and cordless picture lights are popping up in some of my favorite fall collections to promise all the same ambiance, without any of the hassle.

Where I live, we're fighting a losing battle against the increasingly darkening days. Each day feels shorter, dimmer, and damper come September and beyond.

So the perfect way to counteract that is, of course, finding plenty of fall decor ideas that will amp up the ambiance (and improve my darkening mood) without either breaking the bank or leaning too cringe.

I’ve found that in my home, it’s those small additions of soft, warm light that make a living room feel lived-in and comfortable year-round, and don't fall into kitsch seasonal decor traps that will quickly date.

Picture lights are one of those deceptively simple design details that can completely transform a space. Not only are they designed to highlight the things you love and want to show off – like art, family photos, or a favorite wall decor piece – but they also do so much more than that.

A well-placed picture light adds a layer of soft, directional light that creates warmth and depth, instantly making a room feel more intimate and inviting. It’s subtle but makes a big difference in the overall atmosphere of a room.

And it makes perfect sense that Joanna Gaines' brilliant mind thought to add some cordless picture lights to her beloved Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia range at Target just in time for fall.

Available in both black and brass finishes, this wall-mounted light suits a range of color schemes and interior design styles. Simply mount it above artwork, over a mantel, on bookshelves, or even in your entry to add a warm, focused glow. At under $70, it’s an affordable way to bring in that 'collected and curated' feel that Joanna is loved for.

Whether you’re layering them with floor lamps, table lamps, or overhead lighting (or all of the above), they create pockets of light that are perfect for fall evenings in.

What makes a battery-operated picture light particularly appealing is its flexibility. No cords and no drilling means you can move it around as your space evolves, allowing you to experiment with placement and styling without being limited by outlets or hardwiring – making it great for renters or anyone who likes to refresh their space seasonally.

While Joanna's picture light is my top choice, there are plenty of different styles and finishes out there that each offer unique features and battery life. Like with most things, the more you pay, the better the technology will be. Additionally, if you're keen to source a real brass finish or aren't bothered by plastic, that can also affect which might be the best choice for you.

Below, I've found three more stylish cordless picture lights for every budget to help inspire your cozy season shopping.

Shop cordless picture lights

If you’ve been thinking about ways to elevate your space this season without a major renovation, a rechargeable picture light might be the perfect, fuss-free solution.

Knowing current lighting trends is one thing – predicting what’s next takes a true insider: a designer, a tastemaker, someone who sees around corners.

2026 is closer than you think. And with innovative lighting ideas shaping mood as dramatically as fresh flooring or a new sofa, it pays to plan ahead.

To guide the way, we spoke to a series of interior design insiders – familiar names and a few you’ll want to know. These professionals, with portfolios to prove it, share predictions you won’t find anywhere else: niche, specific, and straight from the source.

Here are the lighting trends to watch in 2026.

7 lighting trends setting the tone for 2026

We asked experts who do this every day. These are the lighting trends they're betting on by next year, which will soon be copied by everyone else by next spring.

1. 'Napkin' lights

You’ve seen them – you just didn’t know what to call them. Napkin lights, an Instagram-native term as nonchalant as the fixtures themselves, are draped, fluid forms rendered in decidedly un-soft materials, such as pleated ceramic or folded porcelain.

Mimicking fabric mid-swish, 'they add texture, depth, and a touch of whimsy that invites conversation,’ says Kym Gold, founder and president of dumæ, a design-forward brand that’s embraced the look with pieces like the delightfully folded Yasmin Pendant.

‘The Yasmin Pendant came from my background in the apparel industry, where I’ve always been drawn to how fabric layers and moves,’ Kym explains. ‘I wanted to capture that same sense of drape and flow using materials like clay and metal. It’s a play between the softness of fabric and the permanence of harder mediums – that contrast is what makes it exciting to me.’

According to Kym, these soft-looking, hard-formed fixtures shine brightest in communal spaces like living and dining rooms – places where their sculptural texture can actually be seen and appreciated. ‘I think consumers are always searching for something fresh to bring into their spaces,’ she says. ‘Especially pieces that feel both artistic and functional. These designs have a softness to them, even though they’re made of hard materials, which makes them stand out and feel intentional.’

2. Biomorphic silhouettes

Call it pod lighting, seed lighting, or just lighting that looks like it might have originated in a tide pool. Designers are leaning into forms that reference the natural world – not just the materials, but the architecture of elements and organisms themselves.

‘We anticipate a continued rise of organic, pod-like forms – fixtures that evoke shells, seeds, and natural archetypes,’ says Dana Gers, CMO at Lumens. Take, for instance, the weightless drift of Flos’ My Disc Pendant, the sculpted petal curves of Jamie Young’s Cala, or the onion-skin thin Suuria by Aqua Creations.

Sarah Trop of FunCycled sees it, too. ‘Instead of just rattan shades and basket weaves (which we’ve leaned on heavily in recent years), expect to see lighting that truly reflects nature: glass fixtures that ripple like water, lamps with stone or terrazzo bases, and undulating silhouettes that suggest movement.’

‘2026 is ushering in a more expressive, tactile, and human approach to lighting design,’ Dana Gers continues. ‘These softened, asymmetric shapes move beyond strict geometry and introduce a sense of quiet movement and life into interiors.’

3. Gentle glow

In 2025, minimalism swung both ways – either painfully boring (a lone glowing stick on a wall) or, more often than not, overly precious (more sculpture than light source). Looks were prioritized, ambience forgotten. But in 2026, the pendulum hits its sweet spot: the sensibility stays minimal, but comfort becomes key.

‘I think 2026 is going to be all about lighting that feels modern but really natural and refined,’ says Los Angeles–based designer Jessica Alpert. ‘Finishes are getting softer and more textured, nothing too shiny, so the light kind of glows rather than reflects. It’s all about sculptural pieces that feel sleek and intentional, without trying too hard.’

‘People are craving spaces that feel calm, warm, and personal, and lighting plays a huge role in that,’ she continues. ‘Aesthetically, these pieces are clean and modern but still have that organic, lived-in feel, which makes them really versatile.’

Easy on the eyes, this bedroom-friendly lighting style isn’t about doing less. It’s about knowing what to leave out.

4. Mixed materials

It’s the art of the unexpected. As we head into 2026, names like GUBI, Kalco Lighting, and Les Jardins are leaning into mixed materials in a big way.

‘We’ve seen rich texture trending in lighting this year – and in general, a much more creative use of material,’ says Andrea Goldman, founder and principal of Andrea Goldman Design. Lumens CMO Dana Gers agrees: ‘Designers are experimenting with pairings that feel unexpected and deeply crafted.’

Painted brass might be softened with raw stone. Polished glass could be wrapped in woven textiles. A globe shade? Sure – but make it marble, not glass. Even leather-wrapped shades and lacquered steel are a fair living room lighting game.

‘These juxtapositions bring a layered, artisanal richness to lighting,’ Dana adds.

5. Goodbye convention, hello custom

A classic empire shade lamp could set you back $5,000 or $50. And while price isn’t everything, there’s only so much magic a prototypical shape can muster, especially when everyone else has it too.

According to Mallory Robins and Elizabeth Bennett of Kobel + Co, 2026 is shaping up to be the year lighting gets personal. Custom colors and finishes – à la Pooky’s plug-and-play model – are only getting more popular. But this goes beyond just surface-level tweaks. It’s the silhouette, too.

‘Homeowners are becoming fatigued by seeing the same options offered across multiple vendors and splashed across social media,’ the duo tells Homes & Gardens. ‘They are craving ways to customize pieces to make them feel bespoke to their own homes and tastes.’

Because in 2026, nothing says insider like a fixture you won’t find in anyone else’s foyer.

6. Lantern-like lighting

Lanterns aren’t new. But in 2026, the category softens and expands – moving beyond classic boxy forms into something looser, lighter, and arguably, far more fun. According to Joshua Evan Goldfarb and Michael Edward Moriano of Evan Edward, the most forward fixtures right now are ‘lantern-like, organic, and sometimes even amorphous.’

Rice paper, handblown glass, and featherweight textiles all lend this sense of softness we're after. ‘Delicate and cozy while still feeling elegant and elevated,’ they note. Even feathers are fair game, as seen by the spherical pendant in the East Village media room above, which suggests a lantern without fully committing.

‘Angular and masculine lighting fixtures have been a huge focus for some time now, and we think it’s nice to see some softness added to the mix,’ they add. ‘There’s still a use for these hard, statement-making fixtures – but we’re in search of some variance.’

7. Neo-Deco

A century after Art Deco first emerged, its influence is pulsing back through interiors. ‘We’re seeing a return to the bold geometry, rich materials, and glamorous style that epitomized the era,’ says Lumens CMO Dana Gers. ‘At Lumens, we’re calling it Neo Deco, as styles take on a modern interpretation with lighting, furniture, and decor that channel this enduring design language into fresh, contemporary pieces.’

The Coco LED Chandelier by Larose Guyon, for example, hypnotizes with its sequenced geometry – a clean-lined ode to Deco elegance. Meanwhile, Marc Wood Studio’s Jack and Jill Pendant feels like 1930s jewelry scaled up with its hand-bent brass arms, pearl-white glass orbs, and a sculptural clarity.

Neo-Deco cuts the excess but keeps the edge, offering a quiet luxury take on one of the most flamboyant eras in design.

Designers will tell you what to buy – but the real intel? What not to do. These are the living room lighting mistakes they’ve made (and learned from), so you don’t have to – in 2026 and beyond.

What happens when you crack open a 140-year-old vault? If it’s anything like the archive at British heritage textile house GP&J Baker, expect a treasure trove of ikat – and a ton of untapped potential. Thanks to a new collaboration with lighting brand Pooky, those long-forgotten patterns are being cast in a whole new light, reinterpreted through a lens of 21st-century whimsy.

At the center of the Archive Discoveries Collection is Bokhara Ikat – a large-scale motif that has resided in GP&J Baker’s archive since the early 1900s. Now rendered on 100% linen drum shades, its lighting trend rebirth reads less like a pattern, and more like a watercolor – just one of the many artful, textile-first details you'll find throughout the lineup.

‘Collaborating with Pooky has been an exciting opportunity to reimagine our classic archive designs with a fresh, modern sensibility,’ says Ann Grafton, Managing and Creative Director at GP&J Baker. ‘These lampshades beautifully combine our heritage prints – some of which have been beloved for over 100 years – with Pooky’s contemporary charm and flair. The result is a collection that honors the past while embracing the future of interior design.’

The ikat isn’t alone. Newly adapted Tuffley prints – cotton shades trimmed in silk–viscose – were designed to echo Bokhara’s deeper tones and moodier palette. The idea is to let Bokhara ground the room, then riff with Tuffley on smaller accents – a pattern drenching strategy that plays directly into Pooky’s irreverent, pattern-happy styling ethos.

‘It was a real privilege to visit GP&J Baker’s archive and be able to explore designs that had never seen the light of day,’ adds Jo Plant, Chief Creative Officer at Pooky. ‘This collection feels particularly special because it shines a light on the hidden gems of their heritage. Our team had so much fun bringing them to life the Pooky way – with joyful colors and bold trims.’

Explore the collection

It’s a collision of old-school craft and new-school play – a fitting evolution for GP&J Baker, a storied name in wallpaper and textiles since 1884, now reintroducing itself to a design-hungry generation. Ditto for Pooky, whose unorthodox palettes and maximalist sensibility have earned it a cult following of color-forward loyalists.

The temperature may be dropping, but there’s still time to take things outdoors before winter fully sets in. Stay ready – and cord-free – with another H&G favorite: Pooky’s outdoor lighting collaboration with the Novogratz.

New York City is, in many ways, a cabinet of curiosities. I’m reminded of this every time I step outside – a filming for Devil Wears Prada 2, at least three parades, a bodega cat gone rogue. You never quite know what the city’s going to serve. That same offbeat, maximalist magic is what inspired Anthropologie’s latest lighting collaborator, Merve Kahraman – an Istanbul-born, Milan-and-London-trained designer now running her namesake studio in the most unpredictable place on earth.

‘New York City is a place of endless inspiration for me,’ Merve tells me. ‘NYC itself is a mix of everything – the people, the architecture, the energy – each with its own layers, patterns, and juxtapositions.’

Merve Kahraman's Anthropologie collection – a curated lineup of lighting ideas including a chandelier, sconce, pendant, and two table lamps – captures a snapshot of the city during one very specific moment: the transition into fall, which she says is her favorite time in the concrete jungle.

‘My favorite season here is fall, when, after the hot summer malaise, the city comes alive again. The autumn colors unfold against the concrete backdrop, creating striking contrasts,’ Merve muses.

You can feel that tension – soft and structural, glam and grounded – in living room lighting ideas like the Floral Glass Chandelier, available in a painterly mix of honey yellow, forest green, terracotta, and gray-blue with polished brass. It’s her take on Central Park’s turning leaves and strange, beautiful botanicals – a kind of urban fairytale rendered in glass.

The lighting collection is aptly dubbed 'Cabinet of Curiosities,' and it’s every bit as whimsical as it sounds. Checkerboard meets rattan. Polished meets playful. You don’t often see these ‘city-like’ materials paired with something as earthy as rattan – let alone in a bordeaux-and-cream fall color palette – but somehow, it all just works.

‘I think it’s a very timeless combination,’ she says of her ceramic, city-coded table lamps. ‘I paired bold colors like dark green and bordeaux with cream and rattan, which creates a cozy yet cool feeling. It almost feels like a whimsical little gnome character – entertaining its surroundings and lifting the mood.’

The collection's name wasn’t purely for aesthetics, either. ‘I’ve always loved the book Cabinet of Natural Curiosities by Albertus Seba, who was a pharmacist, zoologist, and collector,’ Merve explains. ‘I wanted to create my own version of curiosities through these lamps. I imagined each piece as a living character, with its own personality and purpose.'

'A chandelier, for example, might bloom like a glass flower, radiating soft, colored light like petals unfolding,' she adds. 'Or a table lamp might take the form of a magical mushroom, quietly illuminating its surroundings.’

Fitting, seeing as the city has no shortage of characters – and now, your home can play one too. For anyone who’s ever wanted to channel New York’s shift into fall without stepping outside, this 'Cabinet of Curiosities' makes a compelling case.

Part of the magic of living in New York is seeing the world with childlike eyes – everything’s in flux, which means everything feels new. And big. But how do you bottle that feeling at home? How do you make interior design feel more curious?

‘First, I think we need to reactivate our curiosity toward life – like children do,’ Merve says. ‘Then, we should choose each piece for our home with that same enthusiasm. Forget about interior design trends and focus on what you genuinely enjoy seeing every day in your space.’

In other words: get weird, stay playful, and shop like someone who still believes their lamp might come to life.

The '60s and '70s carried a serious sense of swank. Interiors didn’t beg for attention, they just were, inherently, incredibly chic. Silhouettes lounged low and unbothered. Palettes smoldered. Wood was deep and moody – as were the vinyls probably spinning somewhere in the background. But the lesser-praised force holding it all together? Lighting ideas. And since design legends like Charles Sevigny definitely weren’t flipping on the ‘big light,' what exactly was their secret? Why did these interior spaces look so moody, so good?

According to designers, it's because these icons layered. With floor lamps.

‘Floor lamps are having a revival because people are craving and exploring how to properly layer lighting,’ says South Carolina-based interior designer Cortney Bishop. Filled with clean, intentional forms and materials like brass, veiny marble, and richly grained wood, the lighting trends we’re seeing right now feel like a time capsule – in a really great way.

Just look at CB2’s latest luminaries, which feature barely-there arc silhouettes juxtaposed against oversized shades and a dramatic sense of scale.

The retro influence is also clear in Cortney Bishop’s own collaboration with Hudson Valley Lighting, too. The Bohicket floor lamp, for instance, features warm brass wrapped in natural woven rattan, topped with an unpretentious linen shade. Floor lamps, Cortney says, are increasingly becoming 'statement pieces in their own right – function meeting sculpture.’

They also pull a neat little interior design trick: floor lamps make rooms look bigger. ‘They draw the eye up and add illumination at height while taking up minimal floor space,’ explains Industville founder Mara Rypacek Miller. It’s why designers love them for nooks, corners, and textured wall moments.

You can’t really botch the styling of a well-chosen floor lamp – even two, if they share a finish or shape. But every designer I interviewed did flag one living room lighting mistake in particular: scale.

Which is also the catch-22. Floor lamps are sizing up for 2025 and beyond – amazing and avant-garde, until it’s not. ‘Either too tall for the ceiling height or with a shade that dwarfs the furniture around it,’ explains Terri Brien, principal designer of her eponymous firm in Southern California. ‘A floor lamp should feel integrated into the space, not like it wandered in from another room and was just plopped down as an afterthought.’

It's important to note that floor lamps operate, quite literally, on a different level than table lamps. ‘A floor lamp carries presence in a way a table lamp simply can’t,’ says designer Cortney Bishop. ‘They anchor a corner, frame a sofa, or balance a tall bookshelf. They live in the architecture of the room, not just on a surface, and that shifts the entire conversation.’

Maybe it’s the years of Mad Men reruns talking, but I’ve always admired that era’s barely-there bravado – the things said over cocktails, the sharp corners of a sunken living room, the laissez-faire lighting that never tried too hard. With the right floor lamp, a little of that mid-century swagger lives on in 2025.

Ahead, six floor lamps we’d love to see in the mix.

Learn how to master the glow your living room deserves with our guide on, what is lampscaping – the art of lighting like a true design professional.

If there was one part of our home renovation that completely blindsided me, it was the electrics. At the time, I thought we'd ticked all the boxes and felt confident on our electrical walk-through.

But now, years later (it's a slow renovating journey), I find myself dreaming of sconces in places I hadn't planned for, sockets needed behind furniture that was never supposed to be there... and silently cursing the switches that are now behind doors.

Luckily for you, if you're at the beginning of a renovation, I have stumbled across a goldmine of info. Interior designer Melissa Oholendt, founder of Oho Interiors, has shared her expertly devised checklist of things to review at your electrical walk-through. If only I'd had this advice in 2023...

The electrical plan is one of those un-sexy, behind-the-scenes jobs on a home remodel that has the power to totally transform how you experience your home day-to-day – for better or worse.

People (including myself) often underestimate how much forethought lighting ideas and power placement require. Once the drywall is up, moving a junction box or adding an outlet becomes a way more complicated and expensive renovation mistake.

It’s the kind of prep work that rarely makes the Pinterest board but makes all the difference when you’re living in the space.

So if you’re just kicking off your new build or knee-deep in demo like we were, take this as your sign to slow down and really think through your electrical plan. Below, I’m sharing the five must-know tips from Oho Interiors that I wish I’d seen before walking the site with my contractor, clipboard in hand and no real plan in mind.

1. Decorative lighting placements

First up on Melissa's list is decorative lighting and sconce locations. 'A biggie! This is the time to ensure you are thinking ahead and planning the places you want to add overhead and sconce lighting.'

'Even better if you can have real selections for those items so you can determine where the junction box should land. This prep work ahead of time will save you time and money in the long run by avoiding having to move junction boxes once drywall is in.'

I know at this stage it can feel far too early, and you might not even have a clear plan of the layout of each room yet, but before things are finalized, take the time to try and envisage living in that room. Would you want a small pendant over the breakfast nook? What about an extra socket in the corner of the dining room for a lamp? Or is that door going to be re-swung to open the other way, trapping the switch behind it?

The more you know now, the better. Often, it is easier and cheaper to refill a wiring hole than it is to add them in once plastering and painting have begun.

2. In-cabinetry electricals

Here’s a detail that completely slipped past me: the inside of your cabinetry might need power, and not just for fancy things.

'Do you use a Sonos system or Alexa? Do you dream of having a whole-home charging station? Will you have in/under cabinet lighting? Now is the time to plan for those items – yes, even before you have shop drawings from the cabinet shop!'

One kitchen remodeling mistake I had to fix after installation was forgetting to add sockets to my appliance garage. It sounds obvious now, but at the time, you're so overwhelmed by decision fatigue and contractors that the 'obvious' totally slips your mind.

So yes, even before your cabinetry designs are finalized, think ahead. I wish we’d walked the space and imagined where we’d charge devices, use appliances, or cupboards that would benefit from lighting. It’s a small adjustment to the electrical plan, but one that makes your home feel ready for the life you live, not just the way it looks in photos.

3. Verifying framing

'Typically, at this point, the vast majority of the framing has been completed on the project, so now is the perfect time to make sure any architectural elements (like alcoves or dropped headers and wing walls for cased openings or shower doors) are planned for,' Melissa suggests.

If you're unfamiliar, framing, in construction, is the fitting together of pieces to give a structure, support, and shape. Once you've got to the stage of booking in your electrical walk-through, most of this will be in place, so your job is to ensure that the electrical plan supports the layout.

And once your wiring is in, changes become expensive or near impossible. Take the extra time to walk each space slowly with your contractor and ask, What will live here? How do I use this space?

We had to compromise on a few design moments because we didn’t double-check the structure early enough. If I could rewind, I’d walk every room imagining where I wanted built-ins or a reading corner and make sure the electrics aligned accordingly.

4. Power outlets

Floor outlets aren’t something you can easily add later, so planning them ahead is key. I cannot stress this enough: think about floor outlets. We didn’t, and now we have a sofa that floats perfectly in the room – but a lamp cord that snakes awkwardly to the nearest wall.

It's one of those little oversights that bugs me every time I walk past.

'Don’t forget to plan for floor outlets in your living areas and power needs for any TV or electronics in the wall,' Melissa adds. 'Team no-visible-cords over here.'

On that note, if you want to avoid ugly dangling wires or clumsy trunking, ensure your TV electronics aren't an afterthought. Planning for concealed wiring makes all the difference.

5. Light switch locations

Out of everything, this might be the one that haunts me most: awkward light switch placement. I've got switches that turn on the upstairs hall lighting from downstairs, but no way to turn it off once I'm upstairs – something I never thought to test during our walk-through.

'Think about how you will live in these spaces – will you want to turn on the lights in a different location than you will turn them off?' Melissa asks. 'Use this time to romanticize your life and think about the routines you want to have as sunrise turns to day and dusk turns into night.'

I now understand how important switch placement can be. During your walk-through, mentally (and physically) walk through your day. Think about where you’ll reach, what you’ll want lit, and mark those moments before they close the walls in.

If you're asking what I would do differently in my remodel, this is a big one. Looking back, the electrical walk-through felt like just another job on a long list of renovation tasks. But so many of the things that now make our home feel either intuitive or frustrating stemmed from decisions (or indecisions) made at that stage.

I wish I’d slowed down, asked more questions, and taken the time to think through how we’d actually live in each space. If you’re heading into your own walk-through, use this list as a guide to help you move through the process with more confidence and fewer regrets.

Trust me: your future self will thank you every time the lights turn on exactly where you want them to.

Growing up, one of my favorite features of my childhood home was the stained-glass transom window that hung in our kitchen. On a sunny afternoon, the light would hit each panel just right – diffusing a mosaic of colored light onto the cabinets and across the floor. It was a memory I thought I had forgotten, until I came across these stained glass light bulbs from Amazon on an Instagram video, that radiate the same warm and comforting glow with just the flick of a switch. That colorful glow instantly made me feel so nostalgic.

Hand-painted in a variety of different colors, these light bulbs emit a soft, ambient, and colorful glow when added to any compatible light fixture. And just like the window in my old home's kitchen, these bulbs can transform a space with their dazzling colors. However, they're an easy installation, and you don't need to wait for the afternoon sun to experience their magic. Just add them to a lamp of your choosing, and these bulbs can instantly decorate your room with a colorful light show, any time of day.

And for less than $25, consider these stained glass bulbs a transformative lighting idea you didn't know you needed.

Since these light bulbs are made in an A19 shape and with an E26 base, they are compatible with most lamps – simply swap out a regular white bulb for one of these and let their color decorate your space.

With over 300 reviews and a ranking of 4.6 out of 5 stars, previous purchasers love what these stained glass light bulbs have to offer. Some mention the whimsical charm they can add to the room, and another even said their light output reminds them of the beauty of the Northern Lights.

'This stained glass bulb is stunning – even without a reflective or glass fixture around it, it still looks beautiful on its own,' said another reviewer. 'It gives off a funky, warm vibe that adds so much character to the room. A perfect mix of art and light! It is a great value, especially for coming with two bulbs.'

These stylish light bulbs might be the simplest way to make your home more inviting, but you'll need the right lamp base to really help them shine. I think this look could work with either a really ornate vintage fixture, or combined with a simple design, so the colorful lights are the focus.

These stained glass light bulbs are clever, affordable, and a simple swap to invite more color into your interiors. With a vibrant radiance that mimics the effects of a stained glass window, these light bulbs have a traditional charm and comforting elegance by nature. Bring stained glass light bulbs into your home to experience their transformative qualities.

‘Did I bring my wallet?’ ‘Did I lock the door?’ ‘Are the candles out?’ These are just a few of the spirals that soundtrack my descent down three flights of stairs in a pre-war New York City walk-up. I like to think this specific brand of Type A anxiety is a kind of superpower (nothing escapes me!), but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t crave a little more peace of mind.

Joanna Gaines, per usual, read my overactive mind, because her latest fall 2025 collection drop at Target feels suspiciously well-timed, debuting a set of ribbed flameless taper candles that manage to be chic, convincing, and, best of all, unburnable.

The candles come in a set of six and three fall-forward shades (a burgundy-leaning orange, deep olive green, and an aged ivory, technically labeled ‘honey’) and glow via remote-controlled LED lights. But more importantly, they don’t look like fake candles. They’re made of real paraffin wax with a fluted texture that gives them the kind of detail-oriented finish you’d normally find in a quaint little chandlery – definitely not something you’d immediately clock as ‘faux.'

A few AAA batteries (add these Target ones to your basket when you check out) and a single press of a button later, these tapers give off a warm, flickering glow with a built-in five-hour timer – perfect for lining a fall table, bathroom ledge, windowsill, or any other surface where open flame is usually a no-go (especially if plants or dinner party guests are involved).

And when it’s time to call it a night, another quick click and every last candle dims in sync – no matter where you scattered them. No cross-apartment extinguishing routine. No leaving the couch. No lingering doubt halfway through dinner that you’ve accidentally set your apartment ablaze.

They arrive just in time, too. This is peak taper season for me – the moment when every flat surface becomes fair game and my candle-related worries are at an all-time high. These ones let me lean into the mood without losing my mind.

A few of my favorite accessories to style them with, below.

Joanna’s not stopping at tapers. Her full fall 2025 Magnolia drop includes marble-and-brass bookends, cedar-scented velvet quilts, and even some iron candle holders to keep your new glow in good company. If your new flameless finds need a few friends, you know where to look.

Humans are funny. We’ll drop a fortune on the perfect heels, only to keep them boxed for a special 'someday,' or invest in a stunning sofa no one’s allowed to sit on, enshrined in clear plastic like it’s on display at the Met. But what’s the point of luxury if you can’t actually live with it? That’s a question Brigette Romanek has been answering for years – and now, she’s doing it in lighting form.

The interior designer behind homes for Beyoncé and Gwyneth Paltrow has just launched a collection with Crate & Barrel, and the lighting ideas deliver on exactly what she’s known for: livable luxe. It’s a phrase she coined, a category she defined, and the guiding principle behind a lineup that feels just as good in person as it looks in a photo.

The materials are elevated – burnished brass, veined alabaster, solid marble – but the pieces aren’t overly precious. A floor lamp might feel like sculpture, but it’s dimmable and bulb-compatible. A statement sconce might read like jewelry, but it's also a piece that will actually blend into your existing space. Humble wicker is anchored by marble.

Much like her signature style, Brigette’s collection is artful and unexpected. Sure, there are some familiar forms (take, for instance, the Beachwood Table Lamp) that make this collection appeal to everyone, but the collection really shines in its oddities: the geometric stacks, the semicircle silhouettes, the pieces that borrow from sculpture and architecture without feeling stuffy. The pieces that feel more like a piece of art than lighting.

Brigette's collection isn't about following current lighting trends; it's setting them.

If Brigette’s unpretentious take on pretty has you rethinking your lighting, just wait until you see what she’s done for the kitchen. Her Our Place collab brings that same designer sensibility to the stovetop.

Eloise at the Plaza was a big part of my childhood. For me, it was the most aspirational children’s franchise ever made. An aristocratic six-year-old with 24/7 room service, Central Park views, and most people's bucket-list stay as her personal playground for pranks? The plot is deranged – and completely iconic. And despite no longer reading the books, I of course still love the idea of living in a luxury old-fashioned hotel.

Regrettably, importing the Palm Court’s glass dome or gold-plating your radiators is probably out of the cards, but you can borrow the charm with the (aptly named) best selling Eloise Semi-Flush Mount from Anthropologie.

I love vintage lighting, but frankly, I can't be bothered with the effort of the wiring that comes with second-hand buys, and I have been disappointed by too many flea market lighting finds that just don't work, or would cost too much to make work

With the Eloise range, I can embrace the lighting trend for vintage styles that give me a glamorous hotel vibe, but it's also damp-rated (so yes, bathrooms are fair game), LED-compatible, and comes with none of the unfortunate drama or rewiring an ancient fixture.

Eloise is layered with storytelling details: the raised acanthus along the medallion, the scalloped milk glass shade (available in white or green), and a softly antiqued brass finish (though black is an option, if you’re feeling moody). It’s handmade, so expect little variations (as vintage lovers can attest, this is for the better).

It seems that I'm not the only one attempting to play hotel – or enter another era entirely. The reviews (4.7 stars, over 130 of them) are full of people praising its storied presence in bedrooms, powder rooms, even laundry closets. ‘The style sits nicely within a historic space, but doesn’t feel too “old world”,’ one reviewer writes. I’d agree – an easy, elegant lighting moment if ever there was one.

Of course, like any well-appointed suite, Eloise doesn’t come alone – she’s got sisters. Pendants, sconces, the whole entourage. These are the other pieces in the best-selling collection I have my eye on.

I can easily see why the Eloise range is such a popular one at Anthropologie; it's timeless, but it's also very on trend for right now, and it looks like they just keep adding new styles and colors to the collection. It's the perfect piece if you like a more transitional look, like me (I want to mix this light with some really sleek modern pieces), or if you have a more traditional space full of vintage pieces but want to ensure your lighting is modern and safe for use.

I love a black tie moment. Any excuse to dress up – I’ll take it. I even issue a dress code for my birthday every year. That same fondness for formality extends to interiors, too – though in the home, elegance is about creating a mood, which isn't exactly as simple as slipping into a gown.

Or maybe it is. Meet Pooky’s Bow Tie Wall Sconce, a fixture that feels perpetually dapper. You’ve likely seen it before – it’s one of their best-selling lighting ideas – but you probably haven’t seen it for this price: just $20, marked down from $100.

Yes, I’m partial to the fact that this living room wall lighting is shaped like its namesake menswear accessory, but its silhouette does more than charm. The dual cones direct light both up and down, acting like a spotlight or, when dimmed (yes, it dims), an ambient glow.

It’s 80% off through the end of July – or, more realistically, until it sells out. And if my sixth sense as a shopping editor is worth anything, that’ll be sooner rather than later. The same goes for the rest of Pooky’s on-sale lighting lineup: wall sconces, cordless lamps, pendants, chandeliers – all marked down 30–80%.

I’ve linked my favorites below.

If outdoor lighting is also on your list, Pooky’s outdoor lighting collab with the Novogratz is bright, upbeat, and, being cordless, blissfully free of electricians, so you can update your outdoor spaces instantly.

As an editor, I know a collection’s good when it starts selling out before I’ve even had the chance to add to cart (and with advance press releases, I really have no excuse). So I wasn’t exactly shocked to see Shea McGee’s new Threshold lighting drop for Target vanish fast (it always hits). But it is flying particularly fast this time, because – in my humble opinion – this lighting lineup might be her best yet.

Much of the credit can be given to its whipstitched borders: a Western-adjacent detail I clocked at a high-end residence during a trip to Mexico City, and have occasionally spotted inside the lobbies of carefully curated boutique hotels. The embellishment is usually stitched in calfskin or crisp linen, but Shea McGee's Target collection has made the look more affordable with a cotton-poly blend. And let me just say: that $20 Empire shade has no business looking this expensive.

Elsewhere, paper-thin pleats on table lamps and lace-cut-like filigree on task lights are equally impressive. Some pieces (including a ceramic table lamp that, frankly, should’ve been gatekept) are already gone. But several covetable lighting ideas remain up for grabs – for now, that is.

Whether you’re swapping a full fixture or just mixing and matching bases and shades, take it from someone who shops professionally: move fast. Because once TikTok finds them, they’ll be triple the price on eBay – and trust me, you’ll wish you didn’t hesitate.

If you’re into Shea McGee’s Threshold line for Target, wait until you see what she actually lives with. Her McGee & Co. collection is her namesake counterpart brand – and these 15 pieces all have a place in her own home.

With curated homes becoming all the rage, the need for characterful decor is only growing. Antique and vintage pieces are the new hot commodity, with designers opting for items that tell a story.

While we love the vintage look, hunting down specific pieces can be tricky as it's always a bit of a gamble, especially when it comes to vintage lighting pieces. But there's a trusty solution to this endless struggle – updating new (or thrifted) pieces to give them a more aged look. Drew Michael Scott (A.K.A Lone Fox) recently proved this theory by taking a lifeless lamp and transforming it into a one-of-a-kind characterful piece that feels both aged and sophisticated.

Drew documented his DIY project and shared it on Instagram, showing us exactly how he created the 'molten brass' lamp base. 'I was so happy with how these turned out they definitely look like a few hundred dollars at least, definitely not $19!'

The first step of Drew's DIY lighting idea is all about the prep. He removes the shade and tapes over the cord hole and the stem for the bulb. Noting the texture of the original base, he says 'So I taped them off and sprayed it with a universal primer just because they were kind of glossy'. To achieve that antique it's crucial to get rid of this shiny layer as it will make the lamp look new rather than aged and authentic.

Drew then goes in with an ingenious powder mixture that he uses to create the textural layer over the lamp. This is a product to get into your DIY kit as it can be used to create character and add a ton of texture to surfaces and is so easy to work with

'I used this product called hot mud which is a mixture of plaster of Paris and joint compound', he says. Hot mud can be used for all types of creations as it's a powder, 'You can mix however much you want', he says. Adding water to the powder, Drew creates a paste that he applies to the lamp with a paint spatula.

Now comes the fun part. Once most of the hot mud has been applied, Drew then goes in with his fingers and 'rubbed it on the entire lamp. I created this wavy, raked-like texture with my fingers.'

Once the texture has been created, store the lamp in a cool dry place and wait for the hot mud to dry. 'Once this dried I went in with some sandpaper and sanded off any of those peaks that were showing', Drew says. While texture is important when creating the piece, you want to avoid areas that are too raised. He says the goal is for the lamp 'to look like molten brass'.

Being mindful of mess, he uses cardboard to place around the lamps. To create that bronzed look, Drew says he 'sprayed the lamp down with a coat of black spray paint because it intensifies any metallic coat you put on top.' He then goes in with the second coat that provides the gold effect, saying 'I then sprayed on this burnished amber hammered spray paint'.

To finish the look, Drew says 'The star of the show is going to be our gold rub and buff which I applied with my fingertips so it hit the top points of the texture.'

Drew's taught us once again how fun DIY can really be. With a few materials from the hardware store, his thrifted lamps have been given an entirely new identity, transformed into a pair of bespoke, antique pieces.

As all-around interiors experts, we trust Erin and Ben Napier to show us good design, and this is certainly the case with their latest project: a lighting collection with bespoke brand Shades of Light.

The HGTV stars have just launched a 13-piece lighting collection, which features chandeliers, sconces, and ceiling lights. The pieces are both contemporary and traditional, inspired by Erin and Ben's Southern hometown – Laurel, Mississippi.

'The best interiors are a balance of fancy and casual, masculine and feminine,' explains Erin when talking about the new launch. 'The interest for me in this collection was taking that sensibility and applying it to lighting.'

Designed in Virginia and taking cues from 1920s-1940s materials and silhouettes, the pieces come in a range of finishes, from brass and chrome to copper and matte. 'We created this line of lights because we believe in the value of supporting skilled makers in America and good partnerships,' Ben explains.

Highlights include a sleek black, Art Deco-inspired ceiling light, and their Gardiner Schoolhouse linear chandelier – a piece named after one of Laurel, Mississippi’s founding families.

'We chose names that were specific to Laurel’s history since, for us, this is where everything begins: our desire to emphasize the spirit of small-town America and Laurel’s arts and design heritage is endlessly inspiring to us,' Erin says.

There's a clear theme with in the collection that nods to timeless vintage styles, but there is a piece to suit every kind of home, from rustic farmhouse to uber modern. There is also a range in affordability; prices start at $190.00 for the handsome Watkins Bath Sconce, and go up to $1,080.00 for the luxe, six-light Watkins Chandelier.

The Erin & Ben Co. Lighting Collection is available to shop online at Shades of Light. Browse a selection of our favorite pieces below.

Shop the Erin & Ben Co. Lighting Collection at Shades of Light

These pieces are highly versatile thanks to their neutral colors, meaning they are great investments for both muted and colorful homes alike.

As any interior designer will attest, layered lighting is a crucial part of a successful interior design scheme. Rather than relying on a single light source, having a space with multi-layered lighting specifically designed around the purpose of the room and the mood you want to achieve is essential for a space to create functional, flexible, and comfortable living spaces

‘Lighting is the silent collaborator that sets the tone, enhances functionality, and transforms how we experience a room,' says designer Laura Hammett. 'Well-thought-out lighting ideas are as important as any piece of furniture, with layering different types of light achieving balance, warmth, and depth.’

When it comes to how you layer lighting it can be tricky to know where to start as there are many factors to consider. From practical rooms like kitchens and bathrooms to bedrooms and living rooms, each space will require different lighting solutions depending on its size, function, and the desired ambiance. To learn how best to approach layering lighting we’ve asked the experts for their advice on layering lighting in different rooms along with their general tips to create a soft yet practical scheme.

What is layered lighting?

Layered lighting is where multiple light sources are combined within a single room in order to create a space that is both functional, comfortable, and visually pleasing. A successful layered lighting scheme usually combines a mix of the three main lighting types – ambient, task, and accent, each of which serves a different function. Incorporating a variety of fittings and lighting types that can be operated independently allows light to be tailored to fulfill different functions and moods throughout the day.

Ambient – ambient lighting is the primary light source within a room which we use to navigate a space. This type of light is usually provided by a ceiling pendant or downlights and provides the base lighting on which task and accent lighting is layered.

Task – task lighting is focused lighting designed to help us carry out certain tasks. For example, a desk lamp that directs light over a computer, or a pendant light fitting that hangs over a kitchen island used to prepare food, or a floor lamp positioned near a reading nook in a living room.

Accent – accent lighting is light used to highlight certain features within a room. This type of lighting is primarily decorative. Picture lights fall into the category of accent lighting as do wall lights and sconces designed to direct light towards architectural features.

What types of light sources you need and how many you require will vary from room to room and depends on the function, size, and mood you want to create. While all rooms require ambient light, some may require more than others and the type of ambient light needed may vary. For example, a bathroom may need brighter ambient light than a bedroom where we seek more gentle, low-level light. Similarly, practical rooms such as kitchens will inevitably require more task lighting, while living room lighting schemes are likely to rely more on ambient and accent lighting.

‘A multi-layered approach to lighting offers flexibility within a room via different sources of lighting – from a mix of overhead pieces such as wonderful statement displays to single pendants, from decorative wall lights to interesting or quirky table lamps,’ explains Hollie Moreland, Creative Director David Hunt Lighting.

‘It’s important to consider these many different elements to create the perfect ambiance for each area of your home, such as a cozy spot for reading, a well-lit area for cooking or for working from home, or a relaxing environment for switching off and simply resting. This considered approach to lighting is more important than ever before as our homes have become so multifaceted with the many different elements of daily life unfolding in the same spaces.’

When should you plan layered lighting?

To ensure a space functions to its full potential it's important to plan lighting from the outset rather than to add it in as an afterthought. If you are doing a remodel then ideally you need to plan lighting as part of your room layout as this will allow you to ensure the wiring is fitted correctly.

‘Lighting design should be an integral part of the design process from the very beginning. Early planning allows for seamless integration of lighting into the architecture and ensures optimal results. Collaborating with lighting designers early on will enhance the overall user experience of the space,’ says Luke Thomas, design director of John Cullen Lighting.

‘We recommend planning your lighting design alongside the furniture layout – this allows you to consider the placement of light sources in order to have light where it’s most needed,’ adds Pia Pelkonen, founder of Pia Design. ‘A successful scheme should incorporate a combination of downlights, pendant lights, wall lights and where possible, recessed strip lighting which can be used to create ambiance or to draw focus to special design features.’

For flexibility over your layered lighting ideally, different types of lighting should be wired on separate electrical circuits. This allows them to be operated independently from one another so that you can tailor the layers of lighting depending on how you want to use the space and time of day. In order to do this planning ahead is essential so clarify this with electricians from the outset.

How to layer lighting in a kitchen

In the past kitchens were once viewed as purely practical spaces with lighting often limited to bright overhead pendants, strips, or spotlights. Of course, having light levels that are practical enough to see what you are doing is important, but as kitchens have evolved into multi-functional living spaces over the years there’s been a shift towards layered kitchen lighting schemes which bring more flexibility to the space.

When planning kitchen lighting, start with your ambient light sources. This may be spotlights recessed into the ceiling pendant lights, or perhaps a combination of both. You can also use adjustable track lighting – these work well in spaces with skylights. In some buildings kitchen ceiling lights may not be an option, for example in some listed properties or due to ceiling construction, in which case wall lights can be used to create ambient light.

Next, you’ll need to consider task lighting to illuminate work surfaces and cooking areas. ‘I strongly recommend installing task lighting under your wall cabinets. This will cast a shadow-free light across the worktop below,’ advises Irene Gunter, founder of Gunter & Co.

Statement pendant lamps hung over kitchen islands or dining tables are a wonderful way to illuminate surfaces while also providing a decorative feature. ‘It’s crucial to consider the height of pendant lamps above a kitchen island – sightlines should always be clear to prevent glare. We tend to position pendants at least 75cm from the top of the work surface,' adds Irene.

‘For the kitchen, avoid relying totally on recessed spotlights and instead use pendant lights, table lamps, and wall lights to create ‘zones’ in the kitchen. Pendants hung over a kitchen island or bar makes all the difference to a beautiful kitchen,’ says Rohan Blacker, CEO of Pooky Lighting.

‘If you have a kitchen diner, base your lighting around the table rather than the room itself. A chandelier or low-hung pendant over a round table, or a trio of small pendants over a long table, make a fabulous focal point. Then build up layers in the rest of the room with smaller wall lights or table lamps, allowing you to create moods, from brightly-lit family Sunday lunches to intimate dinners for two.’

Incorporating accent lighting in the form of kitchen wall lighting and cabinet lights is another great way to elevate kitchen lighting. Increasingly wall cabinets with solid doors are being replaced with open shelves or glazed cabinets which gives scope to embrace accent lighting. Incorporating LED strip lights or spotlights along the back of shelves or inside glazed cabinets highlights the contents yet also adds to the overall welcoming ambiance of a room.

'Glazed kitchen cabinets can be a great way of showcasing some of your personal possessions. However, to really shine a spotlight on them (excuse the pun!), then be sure to have some form of lighting inside your cabinet,' says Richard Davonport, director of Davonport. 'It could be that you choose a spotlight that is embedded into the top of your cabinet, or if you have several shelves, choose LED strip lighting under each shelf.'

How to layer lighting in a living room

What types of lighting you choose for a living room will essentially depend on how you plan to use the space. Starting with the ambient lighting is always useful. If you have high ceilings you may wish to showcase a statement chandelier.

'Begin with appropriate ceiling fixtures: statement pieces for high ceilings, flush mounts for standard heights,’ says Laura Hammett, founder of Laura Hammett Interiors. Whatever ambient light source you choose it’s essential to always layer bedroom ceiling lights with additional light sources to create multiple moods.

‘The key thing in a living room is to avoid the big light. By this, we mean not relying on the single overhead light in the center of the room. It makes for a flat, stark, and uninviting space. Instead, try adding a lamp on a side table next to the sofa or perhaps create a reading nook with a floor lamp,’ says Rohan Blacker.

‘Combine these with wall sconces for a soft glow around the room and picture lights to gently illuminate artwork. And why stop at having the lighting around the edge of a room? With the latest rechargeables, you can place a soft, glowing light on your coffee table or footstool, or perhaps on your bookshelf.’

Living rooms are also places where we often display artwork and collectibles. To highlight these after dark, fit picture lights and illuminate shelves with strip lighting.

How to layer lighting in a bedroom

As spaces designed for relaxation, bedrooms require lower levels of ambient light. However, the room does fulfill other functions, so it’s important to think about how you will use the room from the outset as this will determine what additional lights you need and where to put them. For example, you may want a reading light positioned next to the bed – this could be fitted into the wall or could consist of a hanging light from the ceiling, it could even be wired into a headboard. These can then be supplemented by table lamps for a warm glow.

As with living rooms, start by thinking about overhead bedroom lighting and then consider layering from there. Tall ceilings are great places to showcase a chandelier, alternatively try flush mount bedroom ceiling lights for lower ceilings. Where ceiling lights are not an option, sometimes strip lighting around the top of the room can be used – this is a great way to make ceilings appear taller as demonstrated in this project by Gunter & Co.

‘Linear LED lighting hidden behind an Orac Decor profile washes the vaulted ceiling. This gives more sense of ceiling height than spotlights shining down, which wasn't an option here as the ceilings were made from solid brickwork,’ explains Irene.

If your bedroom contains a dressing area and a dressing table where you plan to apply makeup up then this too will need lighting. ‘To prevent harsh shadows falling on the face avoid lighting a make-up area from above – instead, consider a mirror with integrated LED lighting which distributes a softer light as this will be more flattering. Alternatively, for a more decorative look, you could fit wall lamps bedside the dressing table,’ advises Irene.

If you have or are planning to include built-in wardrobes then consider factoring in wardrobe lighting to help you find what you are looking for whilst also adding to the general mood of the room. ‘We like to include a vertical lighting strip along both sides of each section of the wardrobe, always check the light level of the LEDs to prevent them from dazzling.’

How to layer lighting in a bathroom

When planning bathroom lighting, having good ambient and task lighting is important, especially over areas like a shower enclosure and by the sink, but it shouldn't stop there. Having additional types of bathroom lighting that allow you to alter the mood of the space is what really elevates a bathroom and gives it that spa-like feel. While bright light might be all you need to get ready in the morning, having softer light in the evening helps transform a bathroom into a relaxing sanctuary where you can unwind in the evening after a long day.

'Start with overhead lights to deliver a sense of overall brightness when required, LED recessed lighting or a ceiling fixture are good options and can then be layered at eye level with wall lights or vanity lighting to reduce shadows,' says Felix Milns of Hux London.

As small, functional spaces with lots of hard surfaces it can be tricky knowing how to add character to bathrooms – adding in decorative wall lights is a great solution. Installing wall lights on either side of a mirror adds task lighting, but they also double as a decorative feature. Alternatively, if space is tight, try a mirror with integrated LED lighting.

'I love having wall lights on either side of the mirror in my bathroom, as they create a softer layer of light and the correct balance for the face. I like opal and opaque glass finishes, which look sophisticated and are softer and cleaner in light distribution, or for a vibrant touch of color try our ‘Pop’ design,' Felix explains.

Highlighting alcoves or architecture features with strip lighting can also add to a relaxing mood, whether it’s inside alcoves or fitted under a floating vanity.

However, you can't just choose any light fittings for a bathroom, you need to take care to select lighting specifically designed for a bathroom as there are strict safety regulations about the fittings that can be used. Luckily there are lots of companies that offer beautiful bathroom-friendly fittings to add that decorative touch.

6 tips on how to layer lighting in every room

So now we have broken it down room by room, there are also some general ways you can perfect a soft, layered light scheme no matter what space you are decorating. Here's what designers recommend.

1. Wire lights on multiple circuits

In order to operate lights independently and alter the moods throughout the day many interior designers advise wiring layered lighting on electrical different circuits.

‘If possible, install your lighting on more than one electrical circuit and consider hardwiring outlets for lamps into your main switch panel too,’ advises Emma Deterding, founder of Kelling Designs. ‘Have one circuit for your main ceiling lights to add brightness and general lighting throughout the day, and a separate one for wall lights and lamps to bring in that warming glow for those cozy evenings.

The number of circuits will vary from two, three, or even more, depending on the size of the space and the lighting requirements. ‘In a kitchen, a good rule of thumb is to have three circuits: one for general downlights, another for pendant lights, and a final circuit lighting such as shelf or alcove lighting. If your kitchen is particularly large, you may need additional circuits,’ explains Irene Gunter.

2. Fit dimmer switches

Fitting dimmers to lighting allows you to easily alter the mood within a room at the turn of a dial. Lighting can be switched from full bright light for carrying out tasks to low-level, gentle light perfect for a relaxed and cozy feel.

‘Use dimmers on all lights to provide you with flexibility. Dimmers allow you to transition the ambiance from a bright setting to a more relaxed, intimate atmosphere,' says Luke Thomas, design director of John Cullen Lighting.

3. Position lights at different levels

Lighting needs to look good off as well as on so it’s important to plan where lights sit in relation to each other. For a pleasing composition ensure lights are placed at different levels says Cintra Sedalik, Interior Designer at Herlong Architecture and Interiors. This is particularly important if you have a large open-plan living room with lots of light fittings.

‘I always like to consider the cadence and hierarchy of the light fixtures in relation to the spaces within the layout. If there are hanging light fixtures, they shouldn’t compete with one another but instead complement each other. I like to consider the sight lines of the whole room so that fixtures can visually layer each other without opposition.'

'The best way we do this is by laying out our lighting selections in elevation drawings. The lighting that is not making a statement, but playing a supporting role is equally important. I.e., can lights, cabinet lights, puck lights, LED tape lights, cove lighting, etc. The placement of these supporting lights help make the space more functional and/or ambient, so striking a balance of these supporting lights is also critical to creating a balanced lighting plan.'

4. Consider the warmth and brightness of your bulbs

It's not just the positioning and the type of fitting that need to be considered when planning lighting.

'Color temperature also plays a crucial role in setting the mood of a space,' explains Luke. 'Warmer colors (around 2200K-2700K) create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, making them ideal for residential and hospitality settings. Experiment with different color temperatures to find the perfect atmosphere for your space.'

5. Ditch standard spotlights

While spotlights recessed into the ceiling are a practical solution to the ambient lighting in some cases, increasingly interior designers seem to be moving away from the standard grid lighting in favor of alternative lighting methods and more decorative fittings.

'Many people often make the mistake of installing downlights or spotlights in a classic grid formation. This doesn’t always provide the level of lighting needed and can look messy, too,' says Irene Gunter. Instead, she prefers to be creative combining pendants and wall lighting.

'Ditch the standard spotlights and swap for various lighting sources that are functional and not one-dimensional. In this kitchen, we mixed task wall lights, picture lights, pendants, and flush ceiling lights together to add a layered feel,' agrees interior designer Uns Hobbs. 'To keep electrician costs down, we use existing spotlight points and replace them with these amazing flush ceiling lights. They are much softer than traditional spots and add so much interest.'

6. Try portable, rechargeable lights

Wireless lamps are a game changer in interior design because they can instantly bring warm pools of light to dark corners anywhere in a room without the need for sockets and messy wires. They’re particularly handy for properties where you can't make structural alterations such as rental properties.

'Combine rechargeable lights with wall sconces for a soft glow around the room and picture lights to gently illuminate artwork – again rechargeable options now mean you can add these in retrospectively without the expense of an electrician or rewiring,' says Rohan Blacker.

The key to layered lighting is to avoid relying on just one light source, but instead to factor in a variety of different styles to make the space work on multiple functions and moods. Rather than relying on just overhead spotlights, think about combining these with pendant lights, wall lights, floor lamps, and table lamps, along with strip lighting and strategically positioned accent lights. Combining a variety of different lights that can be operated separately allows you to make the most of your living spaces.

Floor lamps make beautiful (and functional) forms of lighting in the home, especially for those of us who are against the harshness of the big light. However, the main downside is what to do with all those wires. Lighting cords can create such unappealing clutter, taking away from the ambiance of a beautifully lit space.

Luckily, designer Nate Berkus has presented a DIY lighting idea to counter the ever-present problem. It may be controversial to some, but he has taken to Instagram to show off how he cuts a hole in his rug to hide his lamp's cord. It's a small sacrifice for the seamless payoff.

'I approve of this hack, (but be careful trying it at home)', Nate states in the caption of the clip. Want to recreate it for yourself? All you will need is a sharp tool, a rug (maybe avoid anything super expensive unless you plan for your lamp to live in that exact spot forever more), and a lamp. We've broken the process down into three simple steps below.

1. Cut a small hole

Using a precision tool, such as a carpet knife, craft knife, or drill (with a bit on it that's wide enough for your wire to run through), carve a small hole into your rug. The key is to keep it just small enough to fit a lamp's cord, so that there are no large, visible gaps in the rug.

Carving an X, rather than digging out a proper hole, is in fact a better way to ensure that there is minimal damage and a less obvious mark in the rug. We can see Nate has kept his carving small, as you can always expand it if the cord does not initially fit. You want it to be a really snug fit.

2. Push the cord through the hole

Once an adequately sized hole has been cut in the rug, push the cord through it and secure it underneath the rug. Make sure the entire length of the cord runs through it, and that there are no tangles in the cord as these will create bumps underneath the rug.

3. Secure the cord

Place the lamp on top of the hole to completely hide the marking, allowing it to have an invisible appearance. Nate places one of the lamp's legs on top of the hole, instantly hiding the cutting and creating a seamless look. And if you aren't quite ready to commit to cutting holes in your rug, cordless lamps are the perfect way to bring a soft glow to your room without the issue of unsightly wires.

While this hack might be unconventional to some, with the proper tools and a steady hand, cutting a small opening in a rug could be the ultimate solution to cord clutter – and that is something we can get behind.

There has been a noticeable rise in designers' shopping vintage. The shift away from buying new is part of 'the collected home' trend which places importance on decorating with vintage, meaningfully crafted pieces.

Creating a truly curated space is all about pairing more contemporary furnishings with one-of-a-kind pieces, allowing the bespoke pieces to shine. Aesthetics are just one of the perks of shopping for vintage-style decor. Buying antiques benefits the environment as it's a sustainable method that repurposes a pre-loved item and gives it a new home.

Nate Berkus is one of the on-trend designers who has been inspired by the ever-popular vintage style and has been combining antique and retro pieces within contemporary settings. You would've spotted some kind of midcentury decor in Nate's designs, from an angular lamp to a retro armchair, he's not afraid to combine the old and new.

Nate's made it clear that he loves using old pieces in his own home too. This became evident when he recently shared the unboxing of a highly anticipated package – a French 1950s lamp. In his Instagram video, he says 'there’s tons of vintage finds in this house' and explains the power of old decor and its ability to add character to a room.

Nate clearly loves the craftmanship of vintage pieces and says 'You’ve heard me talk about my love for vintage and how I will search for it online.' But, it's a midcentury lamp that Nate is most excited about. He describes it as 'a vintage French lamp from the 1950s' which he found on an auction website. What makes the piece so unique is that it's signed by the original designer – Jean Prouvé.

The lamp was first created by Prouvé in 1930 and dubbed the Lampe de Bureau. Vitra(the popular Mid-century furniture company) now produces the design and describes it as a 'small table lamp made of sheet steel, originally made for the halls of residence at the Cité Universitaire in Nancy.'

Acknowledging the overall minimalism of the lamp, Nate says, 'The design is one piece of metal that’s bent and then the light is right is placed in.' The lamp is now made in various colors, but Nate loves the green shade of his vintage find, as well as the shape and style.

Describing it as 'a win', it's clear that he's lucked out with this retro gem. Its sophisticated sleekness will make a much-needed addition to any home, of any style but would look best in a midcentury modern space. Prouvé's table lamp is an example of fine craftsmanship combined with practicality, its minimal design makes it a lasting yet contemporary piece.

Shop the look with vintage-style lighting

Vintage lamps like Nate's are often one-of-a-kind, but fear not we've got you covered with some vintage-style lighting choices. Let's take a look at our favorites and the best ways to style them in the home.

Desk lamps

Floor lamps

It's fair to say that Nate has inspired us to shop classic designs when it comes to home design. From midcentury angle posiers to chic brass floor lamps, it seems there's a sophisticated style for any home. Vintage-style pieces have made a major comeback this year and we can see why.

Getting your home's lighting right is incredibly important, but often overlooked (or left for the last minute) during the design process. And recently, 'the big light' debate has taken over the interior design world, proving the important of thoughtful light schemes tailored to specific spaces.

While some designers and homeowners see nothing wrong with overhead lighting and lean into its appeal, others are staunchly against the look and argue for a soft, ambient atmosphere instead.

Jasmine Roth, interior designer and HGTV star, just dipped her toes into the debate, speaking specifically about lighting integrated into ceiling fans. Here's what she thinks about 'the big light,' and when to opt for one in your own home.

'Today's question is, do you need an overhead, or "big light" in your bedroom or your living room,' says Jasmine in an Instagram video. 'And my answer is: not necessarily. It all depends on the amount of natural light and other light sources in the room.'

For better or for worse, the answer to most design questions is 'it depends' – no one space, aesthetic, or lifestyle is the same, after all. That's why Jasmine says she doesn't take a concrete side in the 'big light debate,' and takes stock of her surroundings instead.

She points to one example, a kid's bedroom that includes the Malden ceiling fan from her exclusive collection with Hunter. The rest of the room features a big window and built-in can lighting, so Jasmine says there's less pressure to include a 'big light' in the form of a ceiling fan.

'I think it works great for this little girl's room. I love putting ceiling fans in bedrooms for air circulation – it gives a nice cool breeze. But I don't feel the need to have a fan with a light if the room is already well-lit with natural light or another light source like a lamp or maybe a floor lamp,' she says.

On the other hand, when a room is dark and dim without one – like the second space she shows – a big light might just come in handy. 'This room does have windows, but no other light source on the ceiling. It can feel a little bit like a cave in the winter or at night. That's fine if that's what you want, but here I wanted to make sure that the room is well-lit without the sun,' she concludes.

The beauty of interior design is that it's all up to you. If you like a big light in place (even if it's not used every day), then make your space work for you. And if your room doesn't get natural light but you're strictly against the big light, lampscape your living room with plenty of smaller light fixtures. No matter where you fall within the debate, the end goal is the same: lighting your home in a way that makes you happy.