Designer lighting refers to high-quality, unique lighting fixtures created by skilled lighting designers or design houses. These fixtures are often custom-made or limited edition, making them a special addition to any space. Designer lighting can be used to create a focal point in a room or add a touch of elegance and sophistication.
Skilled designers work with a variety of materials and styles to create fixtures that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. From sculptural pieces to bespoke designs, designer lighting serves not only to illuminate a space but also to enhance the overall design aesthetic.
What Does Designer Lighting Do?
Designer lighting not only illuminates a space but also serves as a statement piece that can enhance the overall design aesthetic. By choosing unique and high-quality lighting fixtures, designers can add an extra layer of style and sophistication to any room.
Designer lighting can be used to create a specific ambiance or mood, highlight specific areas or objects, or simply add a touch of elegance and style to any space. It can be used as a focal point in a room or as a complementary element to other design elements. Designer lighting fixtures are often the result of careful thought, planning, and creativity, resulting in a truly unique and special addition to any space.
What are the Usage Areas of Designer Lighting? Where to use Designer Lighting?
Designer lighting can be used in a variety of spaces, including residential, commercial, and hospitality settings. It can be used to highlight specific areas or objects, create a particular ambiance or mood, or simply add a touch of elegance and style to any space.
In residential settings, designer lighting is commonly used in living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and outdoor spaces such as patios or gardens. In commercial settings, designer lighting can be found in high-end hotels, restaurants, and retail spaces. It can also be used in public spaces such as art galleries or museums to highlight specific pieces. Essentially, designer lighting can be used in any space where style and elegance are desired.
What are Some Trends in Designer Lighting?
There are many trends in designer lighting, including the use of geometric shapes, sculptural pieces, bespoke designs, mood-enhancing lighting, smart lighting, colourful and eclectic combinations, oversized pendants, and unique materials. These trends are often seen in the work of designers such as Susie Herbert-Light, who specialises in creating bespoke lighting designs for clients. Some of these trends include:
Geometric Shapes
Geometric shapes are a popular trend in designer lighting, with many designers incorporating triangles, circles, and other shapes into their designs. These shapes can create a modern and sophisticated look, and can be used to add a touch of visual interest to any space.Geometric shapes can be used in a variety of ways, such as in the design of the fixture itself, in the placement of the bulbs, or in the shadows and patterns created by the lighting. Some examples of geometric shapes in designer lighting include:
Hexagonal Shapes - Hexagonal shapes are a popular choice for designer lighting fixtures, with designers using hexagonal shapes in the design of the fixture itself, in the placement of the bulbs, or in the shadows and patterns created by the lighting. Hexagonal shapes can create a modern and minimalist aesthetic, while also adding visual interest and texture.
Circular Shapes - circular shapes are a classic choice for designer lighting fixtures, with designers using circular shapes in a variety of ways to create a clean and simple aesthetic. Circular shapes can be used in the design of the fixture itself, in the placement of the bulbs, or in the shadows and patterns created by the lighting.
Rectangular Shapes - rectangular shapes are a popular choice for linear lighting fixtures, such as track lighting or pendant lights. Rectangular shapes can create a clean and streamlined look, while also providing ample lighting coverage.
Triangular Shapes - triangular shapes are a unique and eye-catching choice for designer lighting fixtures, with designers using triangular shapes in a variety of ways to create a modern and geometric aesthetic. Triangular shapes can be used in the design of the fixture itself, in the placement of the bulbs, or in the shadows and patterns created by the lighting.
Sculptural Pieces
Sculptural pieces are another popular trend in designer lighting. With art pieces becoming an important element in home décor, many designers are now creating lighting fixtures that can double as works of art as well. These fixtures add a touch of sophistication and glamour to your space, even when turned off and also work as the focal point for the room.
Bespoke Designs
Do you have a particular vision when it comes to your space? Are you tired of the fixtures that are available in the market because those do not fit your vision? Enter ‘bespoke lighting’. With this growing trend, designers are now fully invested in creating custom–made lighting fixtures for their clients, bringing the most daring creativity to the forefront. These fixtures are custom-made to your specifications and tailor-designed to fit your vision of a space. Instead of shopping off the shelf, you have the opportunity to design and personalise your lighting solutions in a way that matches your vision and requirements perfectly. You can choose your own materials, colours, shapes and a variety of other specifications.
Mood-Enhancing Lighting
Mood-enhancing lighting is another popular trend in designer lighting, with many designers incorporating features such as dimming controls and colour-changing bulbs to create a specific ambiance or mood in a room. It can create a warm and inviting ambiance, help to reduce stress and anxiety, and even improve sleep quality. Some examples of mood-enhancing lighting techniques used in designer lighting include:
Dimming - More designers are incorporating dimming features into their lighting fixtures to create a soft and relaxing ambiance. Dimming allows for more control over the lighting in a space, allowing users to adjust the lighting to fit their mood or activity.
Colour-changing - Some lighting fixtures can change colour, allowing users to create a range of moods and atmospheres in a space. For example, warm colours such as reds and oranges can create a cosy and intimate atmosphere, while cooler colours such as blues and greens can create a calming and relaxing effect.
Natural Light - Natural light is a great choice to create a mood-enhancing effect in a space. Large windows, skylights, and other features that allow natural light to enter a space can create a warm and inviting atmosphere, while also providing health benefits such as improved mood and productivity.
Smart Lighting - Do not forget to incorporate smart lighting systems into your fixtures. It allows users to control the lighting from a mobile device or voice command. Smart lighting systems can create customised lighting scenes and can be programmed to adjust the lighting throughout the day, creating a mood-enhancing effect.
Smart Lighting
In recent times, everyone is moving towards smart technology. From phones to TVs and now lighting, if you have not switched to smart technology, you need to upgrade today! Smart lighting has become increasingly popular not simply because of the myriad of features it provides but also because of how easy it has become for us to control our lighting via a smartphone or simply our voices. You get convenience and flexibility, together! Adjust the lighting to your liking, programme it to turn off automatically, change the colours and even control the brightness at any time. Some important features of smart lighting include:
Remote Control - Smart lighting fixtures can be controlled through a handheld remote or a smartphone app, allowing users to adjust the lighting from anywhere in the room or even from outside the home using wifi, Bluetooth or other wireless technologies. This feature provides convenience and allows users to create a customised lighting experience.
Voice Control - Some smart lighting fixtures can be controlled through voice commands, allowing users to adjust the lighting without having to use a mobile device or switch. This feature is ideal for users who prefer a hands-free experience or have mobility issues.
Automated Lighting - You can also programme your smart lighting devices to turn on and off at specific times or in response to certain events, such as the sunset or sunrise or motion sensors. This feature provides energy savings and can create a more natural and comfortable lighting experience.
Energy Efficiency - Smart lighting fixtures are designed to be energy-efficient, using LED bulbs and advanced sensors to conserve energy and reduce costs. This feature is not only beneficial for the environment but can also result in long-term cost savings for users.
By incorporating smart lighting technology into their designs, designers can create lighting fixtures that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also provide advanced features and benefits for users. Smart lighting fixtures can create a convenient, energy-efficient, and customizable lighting experience that enhances the overall atmosphere of a space.
Colourful and Eclectic Combinations
Colourful and eclectic combinations are a trend in designer lighting, with many designers mixing and matching different colours, patterns, and materials to create unique and eye-catching fixtures.
By using pops of colour, designers can create a playful and dynamic atmosphere that adds energy to a space. Some examples of colourful and eclectic combinations in designer lighting include:
Multi-Coloured Glass - Interior designers are increasingly using a mix of coloured glass to create unique and vibrant lighting fixtures. These fixtures can be designed to fit any style or aesthetic, from modern and minimalist to bohemian and eclectic.
Coloured Shades - Using coloured shades to add a pop of colour to a space is a great way to add some extra flair in your space. These shades can be made from a variety of materials, such as fabric or metal, and can be designed in a range of shapes and sizes.
Colourful Cords - Many homeowners are incorporating colourful cords into their lighting fixtures to create a playful and whimsical effect. These cords can be wrapped around a fixture or hung in a loop to add an unexpected element to a space.
Colourful Bulbs - Another popular way to spruce up your interior design is by using coloured bulbs to create a unique and colourful lighting effect. These bulbs can be used in a range of fixtures, from table lamps to chandeliers, and can be paired with a range of colours to create a customised look.
Oversized Pendants
Oversized pendants are another popular trend in designer lighting, with many lighting designers creating large-scale fixtures that can make a bold statement in any space. These fixtures typically feature a large, hanging shade or globe, often in a unique or bold shape. They can be used as a focal point in a room or as a complementary element to other design features.
Oversized pendant fixtures are often used in dining rooms, living rooms, or entryways, where they can make a dramatic impact. They can be made from a variety of materials, such as glass, metal, or fabric, and can be designed to fit a specific style or design aesthetic. When used correctly, oversized pendant lighting fixtures can add an element of sophistication and style to any space.
Unique materials
Finally, many designers are experimenting with unique materials in their lighting designs, such as reclaimed wood, recycled glass, and other sustainable materials. These materials can add a touch of eco-friendliness to any space, while also creating a unique and visually interesting fixture.
