In Lighting Products, Modern Leads

Two years ago, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) reported that sleek, contemporary styling and clean lines officially overtook traditional in the kitchen and bath. It was the culmination of a trend that has been growing for years.

“In kitchen design, the survey says clients are opting for clean, minimalist, and modern looks with a touch of luxury, in both remodeling projects or new construction,” the group said in a release at the time. “Similarly, in bath design, transitional and contemporary styling is extremely popular among homeowners.”

Lighting Trends

NKBA isn’t the only one noticing this trend. Appliance manufacturers, plumbing brands, and hardware makers have reported the same development. You can add lighting brands to this mix. The sector is seeing interest in a broad range of styles, colors, periods, materials, and sizes, but cleaner, streamlined design with fewer decorations is the macro trend.

At the 2019 edition of Euroluce, the biennial lighting event in Milan, modern design dominated, but a few other trends emerged, such as color, lighting with wood elements, black and brass finishes, and products featuring stone or leather.

Another notable trend at Euroluce, and also at the International Builders’ Show, was large-scale fixtures. Companies such as Generation Lighting, Flos, Artemide, and others are introducing pendants that are ideal for tall ceilings, open-plan environments, and great rooms. The increased scale of lighting follows the upsizing of other home products, such as patio doors, windows, and tiles.

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The beauty of the current lighting climate is that there is a little of everything happening, too, which is good news for the industry. “AMEICO is noticing an increase in demand for color in both fixtures and bulbs, an interest in experimentation in form and material as well as an increased fascination with sculptural lighting,” says Tess O’Reilly, a rep for AMEICO, a Milford, Conn.-based wholesale lighting distributor, retailer, and source for the contract market.

Jennifer Kis, director of marketing for Greenville, S.C.-based Progress Lighting, says company designers are incorporating a wide variety of influences into product development for 2020 and beyond, including a move to combine coastal and modern farmhouse elements and matte black finishes. The company calls the trend “soft modern.”

“The straight lines and neutral color palette of the modern look are mixed with organic textures such as wood, greenery, and colorful abstract art to soften the edge, creating a more approachable style,” she says.

12 New Lighting Products

Chandelier Collection From Niche Modern 

Handcrafted in Upstate New York, the Sola 36 chandelier collection lets designers and customers customize the unit to their liking by choosing the ring size, finish, glass shape, and color (Smoke, shown).

HEM's Japanese-Inspired Pendant

HEM’s Dusk, the manufacturer says, draws inspiration from the shape of traditional Japanese rice-paper lanterns. Dusk’s hand-blown shade is available in a gloss or matte finish (Matte Anthracite, shown) and is supported by two metal rings that hold the lamp together.

Customizable Stainless Steel Stick Fixtures From Pallucco 

Brainchild of Japanese designer Kazuhiro Yamanaka, the Graffiti light fixture features stainless steel sticks that homeowners can arrange on a magnetic frame to create a custom look. Available as a wall-mount or a ceiling fixture, the fixture’s frame gives off light that emphasizes the forms drawn by the sticks’ arrangement.

Brokis Glass Bubbles

Big One from Brokis is a large-format light collection that consists of a glass bubble suspended within an outer glass sphere. The outer glass is available with a glossy finish in either  Transparent or Smoke Gray Transparent, while the inner glass comes in matte colors Triplex Opal, Smoke Gray Transparent, Red Transparent, and Light Pink Transparent. The fixture is available in two sizes.

Clean Lines From Generation Lighting

Part of the Kelly by Kelly Wearstler collection, the Nuance medium semi-flush–mount fixture measures 15 inches in diameter and 17.375 inches tall. It uses a 60-watt T10 bulb, is rated for damp locations, and comes in an Aged Iron (shown) or Polished Nickel finish.

Sconces From Schoolhouse

Offering an old-timey vibe, the Abrams Double Sconce is made from solid brass and can be dressed up with a wide range of bulbs and shades. Three metal finishes are available: Natural Brass, True Black (shown), and Polished Nickel. The sconce may be mounted with the arms up or down.

Global Lighting's Sinuous Fixtures 

Measuring 53 inches long by 17 inches wide, the TR10 Large Pendant by Danish designer Tom Rossau is made from strips of birch wood arranged and cinched in the middle to create an hourglass shape. A white polypropylene version and a smaller size are also available.

Modern Farmhouse Light Fixtures by Kohler

As part of Kohler’s expansion into the lighting category, this Modern Farm two-light linear chandelier was inspired by the company’s agricultural heritage. Kohler says it designed the collection with a modern mindset to offer a balanced blend of rustic and refined. The chandelier comes in Polished Chrome, Modern Brushed Gold, Valiant Nickel (shown), and Matte White.

Spot Pendants From AMEICO

Designed by Markus Johansson, the Le Klint Carronade spot pendant is ideal as a single working light or as a general light source for home use. The units, the manufacturer says, are perfectly sized to hang as a cluster, in a row, or at various angles to highlight the rotating-head feature. The pendant features a matte painted aluminum shade, brass fittings, and soap-washed oak or American walnut accents.

Lantern Looks From Tech Lighting

Tech Lighting’s Kai 1 pendant is a modernist take on the traditional Japanese lantern. Offered in Natural Brass, which will patina over time, or Nightshade Black, the unit is designed to be installed individually or in multiples for a dramatic statement. It comes with 12 feet of field-cuttable black cloth cord.

Buster + Punch Wall Sconces

The Hooked Wall Sconce from British brand Buster + Punch features a solid-steel hook that allows the pendant to be hooked onto the light and the cable length adjusted to suit the homeowner’s taste or needs. Three options are available: No Shade, Small Shade, or Large Shade. The sconce comes in Stone or Graphite powder coated metal complemented by Steel, Brass, or Smoked bronze detailing. (Small shade, Graphite, Smoked shown.)

WakaNine's Cloud Fixture Refresh

New Zealand-based artist and designer David Trubridge has relaunched his Cloud fixture. Originally made from plastic, Cloud will now be made from 95% natural materials and feature new shapes, colors, and sizes. The products will be made from thin bamboo plywood and come in two shapes, Large and Small (shown).