What Are the Top Five Lighting Design Trends for 2023

Lighting design is a dynamic architecture field vital in creating our living and working spaces’ ambience, functionality, and aesthetics. As technology advances and design sensibilities shift, new lighting trends emerge, offering fresh perspectives on how we illuminate our environments. In exploring the top five lighting design trends, we delve into the captivating world of innovative luminosity. 

From sustainable solutions that embrace energy efficiency to the integration of smart lighting technology that grants us unprecedented control, as well as a vintage comeback, these trends are transforming the way we perceive light and influencing the essence of modern interior and exterior design.

LED Lighting

With growing awareness of environmental issues, the prominence of energy-efficient lighting solutions has surged. LED technology has taken the lead due to its extended lifespan, reduced energy consumption, and versatile design possibilities. Love them or not, LEDs have secured their place and the importance of stylish, sustainable, and energy-efficient lighting has been a trendsetter and a favourite in the lighting sphere. 

In recent years, competition has unfolded among light bulb manufacturers to introduce energy-saving alternatives to the widely used traditional incandescent filament bulb. As a result, several manufacturers have stepped up to the challenge, now offering dimmable LED, black light, and high light iterations of Edison’s original incandescent invention.

In summary, LED lighting offers numerous benefits due to its energy efficiency, extended lifespan, and versatility in design. They consume less energy than traditional bulbs, reducing electricity bills and environmental impact. With a longer operational life, they require fewer replacements, reducing waste. Their compact size and directional illumination enhance design possibilities.

Smart Lighting

Incorporating smart technology into lighting systems has enhanced control and personalisation. This encompasses functionalities such as remote manipulation, dynamic colour changes, and the capacity to adapt lighting intensity according to time or activities. LED technology has solidified its presence, and now smart lighting controls are the imminent trend. 

The familiar dimmers and sensors are evolving with the help of smart technology. Wireless devices are considered standard, with smartphones and tablets commonly serving as remote controls for home lighting. However, lighting has transcended its traditional role. The refinement of Li-Fi, which employs light for communication similar to Wi-Fi, is currently revolutionising homes, shops, and indoor spaces.

Smart lighting offers enhanced convenience and energy efficiency. It allows remote control, adaptable brightness, and colour variations. Automated scheduling based on activities or time of day promotes comfort. Integration with smart devices streamlines control, reducing the need for manual adjustments. Overall, it optimises lighting experiences while conserving energy and reducing costs.

Biophilic Lighting 

The biophilic design represents a harmonious synergy between the natural world and the built environment, ushering the outdoors into our indoor spaces. In the realm of lighting design, this trend takes on a transformative role, as it seeks to infuse interiors with the serenity and vitality of nature for home lighting. Lighting fixtures inspired by biophilic design often incorporate organic shapes, hues, and textures reminiscent of the outdoors. These designs may mimic the dappled sunlight filtering through leaves or the gentle glow of a sunset, evoking a sense of calm and connection in contrast to high light.

Biophilic lighting supports human circadian rhythms by simulating natural lighting conditions, promoting better sleep patterns and overall well-being. The integration of this design philosophy isn’t merely aesthetic; it’s grounded in scientific research that highlights the positive impact of nature-inspired environments on mental and emotional health. Biophilic lighting’s ability to reduce stress, increase productivity, and enhance cognitive function makes it a compelling choice for spaces ranging from offices to healthcare facilities.

Embracing biophilic design through lighting fosters a sense of tranquillity and encourages a rekindled relationship with nature. It serves as a reminder of our innate connection to the natural world and its profound influence on our physical and psychological harmony.

Pendant Lighting

Pendant lighting has emerged as a significant trend in interior design, captivating both homeowners and designers alike. This trend is fueled by the unique blend of functionality, aesthetics, and versatility that pendant lighting brings to various spaces.

One of the key benefits of pendant lighting is its ability to serve as a statement piece. These fixtures come in various styles, sizes, and materials, allowing them to effortlessly complement any interior decor theme.  Beyond aesthetics, pendant lighting offers practical advantages. Suspended from the ceiling, like chandelier lighting, pendants provide focused and localised lighting, making them ideal for task lighting in specific areas. 

Pendant lighting also excels in its adaptability. These fixtures cater to various lighting needs and preferences with adjustable heights and light intensity options. Additionally, the availability of dimmable pendant lights allows for creating diverse atmospheres, from bright and refreshing to soft and intimate, enhancing the mood of any space.

In open-concept layouts, pendant lighting can serve as a visual guide that delineates different zones within a room. This helps define each area’s purpose and creates a sense of coherence in the overall home lighting design.

One such installation of multiple pendants was carried out by Blackburn based design company Tyson Lighting. “We wanted to use the filament lamps in the scheme as we love the beautiful ambiance that they create. The warm glow that they give off really adds an edge to the surroundings and can be the difference between a good scheme and a great scheme” says Bunmi Fayomi the Commercial Manager at Tyson Lighting. “We love the quality of the Alchemist fittings and the combination with the Edison lamp really adds something different to the design”.

Chandeliers

One of the standout trends this year is the resurgence of chandeliers, especially the smaller versions known as ‘mini’ chandeliers. Chandeliers have evolved significantly over time, and the compact ‘mini’ chandelier is swiftly becoming the preferred choice for lighting focal points, especially in smaller areas like studio apartments. However, there’s still a strong demand for grand and opulent chandeliers, catering to clients who are ready to invest more in creating a lavish atmosphere.

Vintage Lighting

Vintage lighting has captured the imagination of interior designers and homeowners alike, becoming a compelling trend that bridges the past and present. This can be attributed to the unique charm, nostalgia, and timeless appeal that vintage lighting fixtures such as lava lamps or refurbished spotlights bring to modern spaces.

One of the standout benefits of vintage lighting is its ability to infuse a sense of history and character into contemporary interiors. These fixtures often bear the craftsmanship and design sensibilities of bygone eras, creating a captivating juxtaposition within modern surroundings. Vintage lighting pieces tell stories of different eras, acting as functional art that sparks conversations and engages the imagination.

Vintage lighting’s adaptability is another factor contributing to its trendiness. These fixtures seamlessly blend with various design aesthetics, from rustic and industrial to traditional and eclectic. They possess a versatile aesthetic that integrates into diverse interior styles, bridging classic and contemporary design sensibilities.

Ultimately, the resurgence of vintage lighting signifies a yearning for authenticity and a desire to pay homage to the design heritage of previous generations. This trend isn’t just about lighting; it’s about preserving the past, celebrating craftsmanship, and creating interiors rich with character and depth. 

Garden Lighting Trends in 2023

Over recent times, the selection of garden lighting fixtures like bollard, path, step, and wall lights has expanded impressively. However, what’s truly transformed is the widespread integration of LED technology and its innovative applications. Nowadays, the focus is on setting the perfect ambiance and mood, establishing a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Outdoor lighting has evolved into an art, prompting interior designers to take a keen interest in exterior lighting plans and garden layouts. This shift signifies the evolving relationship between design disciplines and the outdoor living experience.

How Can We Help

Callender Howorth is the place for those passionate about staying ahead of the curve in interior design and eager to explore the latest design trends. As a luxury interior design practice renowned for its expertise in creating breathtaking and trendsetting spaces, Callender Howorth is your partner in bringing your design visions to life. 

With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of design nuances, we are at the forefront of the design industry, shaping the future of interior aesthetics. To embark on a design journey that transcends time and captures the essence of today’s most alluring trends, reach out to Callender Howorth and let us guide you toward a world of elevated and timeless elegance. 

Reflecting on Salone del Mobile 2016 in Milan

The biggest names in furniture design descended upon Milan for the 54th Salone Internazionale del Mobile. The annual Milan Furniture Fair showcases the latest innovations in international furniture and design from the very best luxury interior designers. The event took place on 12th-17th April 2016 and encompassed everything from lighting to specialist home furnishings. This year, Salone del Mobile celebrated the biennial Eurocucina exhibition with 120 international brands who displayed their quality kitchen products spread out over 23,000 square metres. It also dedicated time to emerging talent under the age of 35-years-old who exhibited their work at the 19th edition of Satellite, a popular secondary exhibit.

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The week-long event is really the place to be for interior architects and design enthusiasts. From offsite events and installations to product presentations and launches, Salone del Mobile does not disappoint. We’ve selected a few of our favorite pieces that were exhibited at the 2016 trade fair.

1.The Shoe Tree – Beatrix Ong and Samuel Chan

Wallpaper* magazine’s ‘Handmade’ exhibition is always one of the fair’s highlights. This year, British shoe designer Beatrix Ong MBE and Samuel Chan, founder of the artisan collective Joined and Jointed, collaborated to bring the ‘Shoe Tree’ to Milan. It’s a moveable and flexible tower of American black walnut shoeboxes which tackles the problem of shoe storage in an aesthetically pleasing way. The Shoe Tree comprise 15 shoe boxes that rise upwards with each box containing a small window so you can glimpse the shoes inside. Samuel Chan commented that “Boxes are intriguing; they hold surprises and invite discovery. They are also useful…Beatrix wanted to express this combination of intrigue and utility.”

2. “Reality or Illusion?” – Foscarini

Lighting brand Foscarini are always innovative and stylish and this year they brought more food for thought to the Salone del Mobile. Enlisting designer/architect Ferruccio Laviani to experiment with size and scale in a graphic world, the team created colourful illusions aided by oversized Foscarini lamps. It was a real ‘Alice in Wonderland’ experience.

3. The Butler – David Chipperfield

Another interesting design from the Wallpaper* Handmade section was David Chipperfield Architects contribution to this year’s theme of ‘Travel’. It was designed to deal with the reality of unpacking in hotels. David Chipperfield described his inspiration: “Most hotels have badly designed wardrobes and cupboards. They are not well organised and unpacking your suitcase is not enjoyable. The idea of Butler was to design a ‘dressing table’ that makes unpacking in a hotel room a joy.” His team collaborated with furniture-makers e15 and the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) to use American willow in creating the bespoke piece of furniture that makes unpacking enjoyable and convenient.

4. Run Tables – Emeco

In these space-deprived and community-oriented times, people often share the same surfaces for different activities. With this in mind, London studio Industrial Facility created an aluminium and ash table, bench and shelf system for American brand Emeco. The design was based on communal space, and Industrial Facility’s co-founder Sam Hecht described his inspiration,  “The way we use tables is changing; we could be having a conversation or a meal and someone could be sat next to us working on their laptop, and we wouldn’t feel it’s weird.” The collection comprises a shelving unit, a table and a bench, which feature plank-like surfaces available in either anodised aluminium or three types of wood.

This year’s Salone del Mobile was one of the most successful yet and there was plenty of inspiration available to interior architects and designers. Contact Callender Howorth to discuss your interior design requirements.

Images courtesy of Salone Milano.

Decorative lighting

Lighting is one of the most important aspects of interior design. Just as soft candlelight is said to be the most flattering to a woman’s skin, so a great lighting scheme can hide a multitude of furnishing and flooring blemishes.

From the stunning overhead pendant that means no-one notices the wobbly Swedish storage system leaning slightly on one side, to the soft glow from a couple of well-positioned table lamps that make everyone feel instantly more relaxed. Or the concentrated beam of a perfectly angled task lamp for help with reading or sewing. There are lights for every job, lamps for every mood and bulbs for every occasion.

Good lighting is where twin aims of form and function should come together in one (actually not blinding) flash of brilliance. Here’s how to create some impact with your illuminations.

Let’s start with the most dramatic of them all. The chandelier. A thing of such beauty that it looks perfect in an empty room. Try one in the hall if you’ve got space. Let it announce to all who enter that this is a domain of serious decor. A statement of intent that the rest of the house means business when it comes to the interior design. Either that or it will cast a flattering light on all the cheap furniture in the rest of the house because you blew the budget on the lighting. What about this one from George Singer?

There’s often not enough humour in the home. You can afford to inject some wit while still keeping a practical element. There are some wonderful alphabet neon lights out there at the moment and they come at all sorts of prices so you can find one that works for you. Top of the budget will be these from Delightfull. Perfect for one signature letter – put it on the kitchen wall.

Or perhaps you can afford to spell a whole word with these from Seletti. Try putting them up the stairs to create an unexpected, and functional, display.

Sticking with the dining room, or eating space, it’s a place where you don’t always need huge amounts of light. A room that tends to be kept for evenings and where there are often candles close by, what about some pop art for the walls? These from Double Merrick will give off a soft glow at night but in the day time they double up as art.

Moving into the sitting room, this is the one place where you need to layer different types of lighting as it’s probably used for the most different activities. It’s also possibly the one room where you don’t necessarily need an overhead light. Think about wall lights instead for an ambient background glow, such as these quirky squirrels from Atelier Randall. Then add table lights, a floor light and a task light by one of the chairs. This can go on either the wall or the floor depending on the space.

‘A well-considered lighting scheme allows for different scene setting,’ explains Mike Kazer from The Light Corporation. ‘We would always suggest the circuiting is designed so that you can mix the different lighting features to balance the space and offer different moods depending on the occasion. Using downlights to highlight features such as artwork, be it sculpture or prints, will give the room some interest. Only use downlights for feature highlighting. Then build the levels up.’

‘Try adding a pendant if you have the space or use a downlight to highlight the coffee table separating the sofas, this creates real drama, always on a separate circuit. This way when scene setting you can make the room appear larger by having a brighter middle and softer outer.’

We’ve been past the letters on the stairs (what did you spell out?) and move into the bedroom. An overhead light is practical for getting dressed on dark winter mornings, but it’s a bedroom. Make it pretty. Try the Lee Broom crystal.

‘The beauty of table and wall lights is that they offer warm light at a living level,’ adds Mike. ‘This can create a softness that can quite often be forgotten in contemporary schemes.’

Or do something different. Why not free up the bedside tables (they’re full enough with all those piles of books you’re never going to read) and hang a pendant light from either side of the bed. Just make sure you can turn them on by the door as well as when you’re under the duvet. It’s a dramatic and unusual look that is completely practical too.

And while we’re on the subject of being practical why not hang your book on one of these?