Integrating lighting into interior design is an art form that defines spaces, sets moods, and reflects personality.
Add to that the nature of today’s lighting trends, which are dazzling, THEN mix in new technology and manufacturing techniques never seen before…and you have extraordinary opportunities.
…And that includes opportunities to do lighting allwrong.
From new customizations to mixed materials, the options available are certainly alluring!! Lighting is once again a statement piece after years of minimalism, and the way we live in and use our homes has given rise to new trends that impact lighting design, too. (For instance, dimmers and smart home integrations have redefined functionality and luxury.)
This does mean, though, that lighting has grown more complex. Getting today’s lighting RIGHT requires an understanding of design, architecture, and technology.
Here’s what to know about how today’s lighting trends could impact your interior design…
1. LED Lighting and Sustainability
LED lighting options have revolutionized the use of light in interior design. From strip lights installed under cabinets to vibrant, color-changing ceiling panels, LED solutions offer endless possibilities without compromising sustainability. (Their long lifespan and low energy consumption align with broader trends toward sustainability in design, too.)
Examples:
- Most high-end kitchens are now illuminated, in part, by LED strips (usually under cabinets) that make countertops and the edges of your floor glow with warm, soft, inviting light. This feature is also beneficial for safety reasons.
- A child’s bedroom featuring LED panels can be set with shifting colors to suit playtime, study time, and bedtime. Can you imagine similar applications in a home gym?!
Ask me about:
- Color temperature: This matters!! Poorly chosen LED lights can cast harsh luminosity that detracts from a space instead of enhancing it.
- Placement: This is key, too! Overusing LED strips or placing them in less-than-perfect places can lead to glare and uneven lighting.
- Smart integrations: LED lighting works perfectly with smart home systems, but improper setup can lead to compatibility issues and frustrating operation later…
2. Mixed Materials: Blown Glass and Metal
Of all the mixed materials in lighting today, the most common is blown glass in organic forms juxtaposed with sleek metal frameworks. This trend has made new lighting fixtures true works of art. These pieces strike a balance between modernity and craftsmanship that I LOVE, offering you a tactile sense of luxury that complements every interior style.
Examples:
- A dining room chandelier featuring handblown glass orbs suspended from a brass frame, creating an ethereal cascade of light.
- Table lamps with mercury-glass bases paired with custom matte black shades, merging old-world charm with contemporary sophistication.
Ask me about:
- Weight and scale: Glass-heavy fixtures can feel overwhelming in small spaces (or appear underwhelming in certain high-end environments).
- Mixing metals: Do this wisely! Combining metals like brass and chrome can look eclectic when done right, but chaotic when overdone. This is a real struggle with today’s maximalist trends.
- Cleaning and maintenance: THIS is the MOST important thing to consult with a professional interior designer on!! Glass fixtures require frequent cleaning and care to keep them pristine, which is a task that may deter some of us…
3. Lighting as Eye Candy
Lighting is not just functional, it’s a chance to express personality and taste. Lighting designs (AND their customizations) range from whimsical to sculptural to avant-garde. Vibrant colors, unexpected forms, and unique textures dominate today’s lighting trends, ensuring your selections grab attention as much as your artwork or furniture does.
Examples:
- Jewel-toned pendant lights in emerald green or sapphire blue hanging over a kitchen island, like the stunning earrings that “complete” the perfect outfit.
- A neon-accented floor lamp in a mid-century modern living room that doubles as a conversation starter.
Ask me about:
- Cohesion with the room: Statement lighting should enhance, not clash with, your overall design. I can guide you on this!!
- Durability: Quirky designs are often delicate and don’t always withstand the wear and tear of busy households…and, by the way, certain lighting fixtures with custom LED strips don’t have replacement strips of ANY kind. There are literally lighting fixtures that you have to REPLACE once the bulb burns out…so ask about this, too.
- Trend longevity: Once again, this is a MUST to talk to an interior designer about. Certain materials, shapes, and unique bulbs can date quickly, so integrating them requires careful thought.
4. Exquisite Details Over Minimalism
Elaborate designs featuring intricate etchings, layered textures, and extraordinary mixed materials are replacing the minimalist lighting of the 2000s. These pieces exude elegance and thoughtful craftsmanship.
Examples:
- A tiered chandelier with crystal droplets, sparkling like a cascade of diamonds in your entryway…
- Wall sconces with embossed metal and jewel-like knobs that serve as functional art in a hallway.
Ask me about:
- Avoid overcrowding: Highly detailed fixtures can dominate a room (in a good or bad way), so balance is crucial.
- Incorporate custom finishes: Mass-produced options sometimes lack the refinement of custom pieces, and high-end selections have more customizations available now than ever…
- Layer lighting: Detailed pieces shine brightest when paired with ambient and task lighting.
5. Smart Home Integrations and Dimmers
Dimmers, in particular, make it possible to have both bright functionality and soft, intimate atmospheres in the same space…and voice-activated systems bring new, unparalleled convenience.
Examples:
- A cozy family movie night setting enhanced by recessed ceiling lights set (of course) to dim by voice command so you never have to get up once the movie starts!
- A kitchen lit fully for meal prep that quickly transitions to low light for post-dinner relaxation.
Ask me about:
- User-friendliness: Complex systems can frustrate you if they aren’t intuitively designed or well-explained during installation.
- Compatibility: Smart systems need to sync seamlessly with other home tech to avoid glitches, too.
- Dimmer quality and installation: Inexpensive dimmers can flicker or hum, detracting from your experience…and if they’re installed incorrectly, they’ll be nothing but a nagging disappointment.
6. Over-Lighting as a Flexible Option
With dimmers as the new standard in high-end homes, lighting systems now embrace over-lighting to ensure there’s always enough illumination, no matter what’s needed. Multiple light sources (what we call layered lighting) in a single room will offer maximum flexibility and adaptability for any occasion.
Examples:
- A home office with recessed lighting, a desk lamp, and wall sconces, all controllable via voice or app to create the perfect working environment.
- A bathroom with vanity lighting, overhead fixtures, and backlit mirrors for a spa-grade experience.
Ask me about:
- Avoiding shadows: Too many poorly placed lights will create unflattering shadows (or, on the flipside, overheat a space).
- Energy usage: Over-lighting still has to remain efficient to avoid excessive energy bills, so work with me to select the best products with the right specs for functional and aesthetic lighting.
- Aesthetic balance: Combining multiple light sources requires professional placement to avoid a cluttered look (or an ugly lack of harmony between selections).
Today’s lighting trends illuminate more than spaces…they highlight the artistry and expertise behind the design of truly spectacular interiors.
Lighting trends do inspire, but their complexity plays up the need for an experienced interior designer to bring your spaces to life in a functional, beautiful, and timeless way.
This is just a little of what I have to say about lighting!! And if you’re reading this article right after its publication (just after Thanksgiving 2025), I’m VERY excited to add that I’ll be sitting on the Dallas Market Lightovation panel on January 8, 2025, AND that I’ve been selected as one of Dallas Market’s “Style Eyes” to walk the lighting showrooms and pick the top pieces of them all.
Follow me on Instagram to keep tabs on this lighting news, the trends I’ll be writing about next, the products I pick at Lightovation, and more!!
About the author:
Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for nearly three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.
In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. Also in 2024, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.
In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.
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