Often, lighting fixtures are the final puzzle piece in a room’s design, adding that last layer of personality. At Kona Kai Resort & Spa in San Diego, textured shades in the colors of sand and beach grass hang above the polished wood tables and upholstered bench seating in the resort’s restaurant, Vessel, which underwent a transformation in 2014. Handcrafted from recycled cardboard, the Scrap Light series is one of Graypants’s flagship lines. Precision cut with lasers and then hand assembled, the shades are a juxtaposition of elegance and toughness with a side of sustainability. So while the food at Vessel may be the star, the distinctive chandeliers that hang over diners’ heads certainly light the stage.
Style is a constant evolution, and lighting fixture design is no exception. Those heavy industrial fixtures so popular just a few years ago are already history, and mason jar chandeliers are a distant memory, according to interior design trend watchers. If your lighting fixtures are feeling a little too forgettable, we’ve rounded up a few examples of upcoming lighting trends that are sure to bring your space solidly up to date.
Go Geometric
Geometric lighting is already cropping up in hot spots like coffee shops and trendy restaurants. Don’t be surprised to see an influx of hexagons everywhere. Copper promises to be a solid choice when it comes to metallics, so a combination of geometric and copper will delight those who like to mix and match trends.
Not Just For Notice Boards
A surprising new superstar material in the lighting arena is cork. Beloved for its warmth and simplicity, be on the lookout for cork overhead. The same way that cardboard adds texture to a potentially austere lighting fixture, cork adds an unexpected natural element.
Sisal & Seagrass
Natural fiber shades, made out of everything from rattan to bamboo, are cropping up across the country. From basket weaves that blend well in beachy, cottage-style decor to more modern styles that blend texture with clean lines and modern minimalism, lighting designers are delighting in natural fibers.
Do It Yourself
Such high-style luxury lighting fixtures can boast price tags that range from the mid-$200 price point and soaring up to thousands of dollars. If you’re handy and willing to put in a little elbow grease, however, you can create your own one-of-a-kind ceiling lighting fixture with a few DIY tricks:
- Bring in an incongruous object, like an upside-down frame of a canoe, which can serve as a fun frame and draw attention to your fixture.
- Rustle up the skeleton of an old chandelier, add some fresh wiring, and retrofit with modern DIY shades for an eye-catching fixture.
- Transform a plain lampshade by wrapping a decorative element, like braided rope, adding a decorative and unique element to an otherwise blah bedside lamp.
