Designers Discuss Lighting, Home Decor Trends

Published January 2, 2024 | By admin

Lamps Plus, the nation’s largest lighting retailer, brought together two dozen top interior designers and home décor tastemakers for a look at the lighting and home décor influences they see homeowners gravitating toward in 2024.

“The best way to update a space is to light it,” said Ashley Fultz. “So many houses we walk into are dark and dreary, and in order to bring a house to life, you need to light every corner.”

From new hues to a continued focus on adaptable spaces, the insights are illuminating. Among their predictions:

Layered Lighting is the Key to Success.

In order to achieve rich, dramatic lighting within a space, use layers of light – lighting that comes from multiple sources. There are three main light sources to consider: task, overhead, and accent lighting, all of which together create a smooth, visual transition within a space and build ambience for the need at hand. By using this blend of lighting, you create well-lit, comfortable rooms with light control for any occasion. Dimmable fixtures are an excellent, and some would say essential, means of helping to achieve the look.

Layered lighting is important in any room, and it’s especially beneficial in multiuse spaces, which continue to define homes. Dining rooms are doubling as offices, outdoor spaces are also living rooms, and basements are now movie theaters, fitness areas and more. Lighting that serves multiple functions, like a torchiere floor lamp with gooseneck side lights, can help achieve both overhead lighting and task lighting, depending on the need.

“I love options. Give me all the cozy options while also letting me blow out a space with lights,” said Joslyn Davis. “More is more when it comes to lighting and then I can pick my own adventure.”

Lived-in and LOVED.

Gone are overly-designed, fussy rooms straight out of a magazine. Homeowners are now leaning into rich colors, patterns, lighting and textures – curating a home that feels custom, vintage and unique. Rooms reflect the people who live in the homes, and many want them to be a reflection of their personal experience and history. Lighting is utilized to showcase your space and create a warm, welcoming environment.

“A well-designed space should feel collected, one that takes some time to curate,” said Julie Khuu. “It should have a mix of antique furniture, vintage elements, something sentimental, something custom, and then you can sprinkle in that something new.”

Brown is the New Neutral.

Brown is trending to make a comeback in the new year, moving away from the former lighter gray washes and taupes, bringing neutral warmth back into homes. Just as ’90s minimalism is trending again, brown has begun to win over designers and homeowners alike. Deep walnut, sienna, bronze and copper, along with natural woods and buttery-soft leathers, are filling our rooms and embracing us in its cozy arms.

“Brown is just so comforting and inviting. Rooms decorated in browns feel like a big, warm hug,” said Khuu. “Cozy brown is our answer to the stark grays we are trying to move away from in the early 2000’s.”

Colorful Simplicity Replaces Traditional Minimalism.

Out are the stark white interiors with pops of black. People are still gravitating toward the simplicity of minimalist spaces, but are more drawn to deep, rich hues and textured interiors than in previous years.

“My ideal design is a lot of rich color, a lot of rich pattern,” said Claire Brody. “All coming from a very maximalist vibe.”

Green is Here to Stay.

For the third year in a row, green continues to be a popular color according to our survey, and our tastemakers are even considering it a neutral in certain cases. Green adds an organic and calming atmosphere to a space while also being the perfect pop of color, regardless of the shade you pick. This year, greens are leaning towards sages, olives and more muted tones.

“As someone who doesn’t incorporate a lot of color into their home, green feels very natural because it is in nature,” said Anne Sage. “I’m just following what is outdoors and bringing it in.”

Lamps Plus Expert Insight: Crystal is Back in Modern Form.

Crystal may not be the first style that comes to mind in modern design, but it’s embraced by lighting and interior designers in modern and ultra modern forms. As noted by Lamps Plus Design Expert John Barnes, the unique shapes of crystal beads and strands, highlighted in sculptural, ribbon, and LED profiles, make this look a fit for today’s times and can be seen in less predictable spaces such as bathroom vanities and wall sconces. A far cry from the more traditional crystal designs you may remember from your grandparents’ home.

Crystal Rain 28″ Wide Silver 11-Light Entry Pendant
Possini Euro Hanging Crystal 33 3/4″ Wide Chrome LED Bath Light
Possini Euro Ellyria 30 3/4″ Twirling Crystal Modern LED Pendant Light

Tastemakers participating in Lamps Plus 2023 Trends Survey

Adrianne Betz (Charleston, SC) – Digital creator and family lifestyle influencer – @little_adi_co
Anne Sage (Reno, NV) – Renovation, style and DIY creator – @citysage
Ashley Fultz (Los Angeles, CA) – Realtor and design expert – @ashleyfultz
Charlotte Smith (Connecticut) – Interior Design and DIY blogger – @atcharlotteshouse
Claire Brody (Austin, TX) – Interior designer and content creator @clairebrodydesigns
Denise Cooper (Jacksonville, FL) – Lifestyle expert and content creator – @bemyguestwithdenise
Dinah Wulf (Atlanta, GA) – Interior design and home décor influencer – @diyinspired
Jill Seidner (Los Angeles, CA) – Interior Design Studio – @jsinteriordesign
Jill Stout (Waco, TX) – Lifestyle influencer – @gatheredgrace
Joslyn Davis (Los Angeles, CA) – Producer, host and lifestyle content creator – @joslyndavis
Julie Deru (Overland Park, KS) – Family and lifestyle content creator @juliederu
Julie Khuu (Austin, TX) – Interior designer and lifestyle creator – @julie_khuu
Kara Thomas (Southern California) – Interior design studio – @studioktdesign
Karen Snyder (Los Angeles, CA) – Home décor and gardening blogger – @sanctuaryhomedecor
Kelly Wilkniss (Pasadena, CA) – Podcaster, author and youtuber – @mysoulfulhome
Kyla Herbes (Chicago, IL) – Home décor expert and design trend content creator – @houseofhipstersblog
Leslie Saeta (Pasadena, CA) – Lifestyle and home décor blogger – my100yearoldhome
Linda Gibson (Blythewood, SC) – Video creator and expert in DIY, home décor and lifestyle – @lgqueenhomedecor
Martha Knake (Illinois) – Digital creator and design expert – @todaywithmk
Melissa Roberts (Houston, TX) – Interior Design studio – @melissarobertsinteriors
Olivia Peter (Michigan) – Home Décor Content Creator – @glam_home_decor
Oscar Bravo (San Diego, CA) – Blogger and Interior designer – @oscarbravohome
Rachel Van Kluyve (Nashville, TN) – Home and lifestyle blogger – @crateandcottage
Renee Sanders (Huntsville, AL) – Interior Designer – @deirdres_design
Taryn Whiteaker (Dallas, TX) – Digital content creator and DIY expert – @tarynwhiteaker_designs

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Designers Discuss Lighting, Home Decor Trends

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