4 Decorative Lighting Trends for 2025
Earthy finishes, moody metals and opulent swag chandeliers were among the bright spots at the fall High Point Market
Lighting design trends continually evolve based on a variety of factors, including cultural influences and consumer demand. That evolution is reflected in the new collections that manufacturers introduce at the trade-only High Point Market twice per year. Here are four big-picture trends that stood out at the recent fall event (Oct. 26-30) in North Carolina, as well as some specific looks within each of those trend categories that seem poised to be popular in 2025 and beyond. Many of the new designs can already be found through your designer or at retail; the rest should be available by early to mid-2025.
The Melt chandelier from Workshop/APD‘s newest collection for Arteriors is another showstopping (albeit relatively minimalist) multipoint design. Its five positionable, LED-illuminated glass drops are suspended along an antique brass cord — almost as if they’re water dripping from the ceiling.
Utah designer Anne-Marie Barton’s new collection for Visual Comfort and Vermont-based Hubbardton Forge‘s latest offerings also included swagged designs, but with leather instead of metal cord or chain.
5 Furniture Trends for 2025
Utah designer Anne-Marie Barton’s new collection for Visual Comfort and Vermont-based Hubbardton Forge‘s latest offerings also included swagged designs, but with leather instead of metal cord or chain.
5 Furniture Trends for 2025
Close-to-ceiling lighting looms large. Over the past couple of years, we’ve noticed interior designers increasingly choosing semiflush mounts over can lights and low-hanging chandeliers and pendants in residential projects. So the fact that semiflush-mount lighting is a growing category is unsurprising, as is the fact that many of the fixtures themselves seem to be growing.
The beautiful Glaze multipoint flush mount pictured here — another fixture from the Workshop/APD-Arteriors collaboration — is nearly 4 feet wide but only 11 inches deep. And similar to the multipoint swagged lights, its blackened metal arms can be adjusted to direct light where it’s needed. Matt Berman, a founding principal of Workshop/APD, notes that the design’s flexibility is also handy when an electrical junction box isn’t perfectly centered over a table.
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The beautiful Glaze multipoint flush mount pictured here — another fixture from the Workshop/APD-Arteriors collaboration — is nearly 4 feet wide but only 11 inches deep. And similar to the multipoint swagged lights, its blackened metal arms can be adjusted to direct light where it’s needed. Matt Berman, a founding principal of Workshop/APD, notes that the design’s flexibility is also handy when an electrical junction box isn’t perfectly centered over a table.
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The 15-inch-wide Lyla light by Lisa McDennon for Hinkley is not a particularly wide or ornate example of this new breed of semiflush mount, but it has outsize style thanks to its geometric shape, jewelry-like chains and oatmeal linen shade with a textured, wrapped middle band.
It should be noted that not all of the new flush mounts are large. We saw a lot of luxe-looking small, cylindrical flush mount downlights, some of which can pivot, in the new collections too.
Other forms to watch. This fall, we noticed more geometric silhouettes than in past seasons, contrasting with the organic-shaped and rounded lighting that’s been so popular in recent years. This included a smattering of glass-and-metal polyhedron-shaped pendant lighting, similar to the shape pictured here but with more facets. Made Goods and Currey & Co., for example, included such designs with a little bit of a Moroccan feel in their new collections. We’re curious to see if there are more of them at the next market.
It should be noted that not all of the new flush mounts are large. We saw a lot of luxe-looking small, cylindrical flush mount downlights, some of which can pivot, in the new collections too.
Other forms to watch. This fall, we noticed more geometric silhouettes than in past seasons, contrasting with the organic-shaped and rounded lighting that’s been so popular in recent years. This included a smattering of glass-and-metal polyhedron-shaped pendant lighting, similar to the shape pictured here but with more facets. Made Goods and Currey & Co., for example, included such designs with a little bit of a Moroccan feel in their new collections. We’re curious to see if there are more of them at the next market.
2. Raw, Natural Materials Add Earthiness
Natural fibers are worked and reworked. Boho and beachy light fixtures that incorporate rattan, seagrass and other plant fibers have been sprinkled throughout our High Point trend coverage for a good decade, and they became virtually ubiquitous in showrooms during the pandemic, as designers looked to nature for inspiration and materials. But designers are continually tweaking them. At this past market, the woven designs were as popular as ever, often with brass, beaded and fringe embellishment. We also saw more of the rope details that we first noticed last spring, including in Robert Abbey’s new rope-wrapped Hatteras collection.
This new Century Palm chandelier from Varaluz, made with sustainable seagrass and lampakanay rope, combines multiple techniques and plant materials in one tropical-inspired fixture.
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Natural fibers are worked and reworked. Boho and beachy light fixtures that incorporate rattan, seagrass and other plant fibers have been sprinkled throughout our High Point trend coverage for a good decade, and they became virtually ubiquitous in showrooms during the pandemic, as designers looked to nature for inspiration and materials. But designers are continually tweaking them. At this past market, the woven designs were as popular as ever, often with brass, beaded and fringe embellishment. We also saw more of the rope details that we first noticed last spring, including in Robert Abbey’s new rope-wrapped Hatteras collection.
This new Century Palm chandelier from Varaluz, made with sustainable seagrass and lampakanay rope, combines multiple techniques and plant materials in one tropical-inspired fixture.
Shop for chandeliers
Cotton, hemp and linen fabrics are plant-derived too, of course. At the last market, for the first time, we noticed a variety of shades with those undyed or white fabrics stretched over a frame, reminiscent of paper lanterns or muslin over a dressmaker’s form. These lights expanded this season, offering a soft, organic look that feels a bit more refined — even romantic — than the chunkier woven-fiber fixtures. The oil-rubbed brass Winslet pendant from Four Hands, for example, has a shaped linen shade and brass boning.
15 Lighting Trends Spotted at the Spring 2024 High Point Market
15 Lighting Trends Spotted at the Spring 2024 High Point Market
Designers lean into leather. Leather with patina and handcrafted details is another natural material that designers are increasingly incorporating into lighting designs to give them a rustic, earthy look. It’s a particularly attractive option for Western-inspired interiors (which are gaining in popularity), or really any interior in which a coastal-skewing woven lamp might look out of place. A sophisticated example is Regina Andrew’s new Denver table lamp, which has a leather body with a contrasting whip stitch.
Market-goers were also buzzing about Hubbardton Forge’s new Snaps collection, which we referenced earlier in our description of the new swagged designs. Modular and scalable, Snaps features fine leather straps (customizable from Spinneybeck’s portfolio of custom leather colors and textures) that are studded with alabaster-LED modules.
Market-goers were also buzzing about Hubbardton Forge’s new Snaps collection, which we referenced earlier in our description of the new swagged designs. Modular and scalable, Snaps features fine leather straps (customizable from Spinneybeck’s portfolio of custom leather colors and textures) that are studded with alabaster-LED modules.
Metals warm up. The warming and darkening of metals, which we’ve seen in both lighting and furnishings for a couple of years, continued into this season. Brass finishes keep getting redder and richer, as in this burnt brass Lund table lamp from Four Hands. And while brass remains the most popular finish, especially in traditional- and transitional-style lighting, we saw more oil-rubbed bronze and especially forged iron than we saw just last spring. Many of these metal fixtures feature hand-textured and burnished finishes and metalwork details such as perforations and knurling. And often they’re paired with warm, candle-like bulbs that create a moody glow.
On the flip side, we saw significantly fewer of the powder-coated white metal fixtures that were popular a couple of years ago.
Other materials to watch. Alabaster and natural stone bases and accents have been popular for years now and show no sign of leaving showrooms. But we’ve seen a transition from white and gray marbles to much warmer, veinier and more colorful stones over the past few seasons. Also, gorgeous, handmade ribbed, waffled and otherwise worked glass returned to showrooms in force this fall after making a splash last spring, and seems to be expanding in popularity.
On the flip side, we saw significantly fewer of the powder-coated white metal fixtures that were popular a couple of years ago.
Other materials to watch. Alabaster and natural stone bases and accents have been popular for years now and show no sign of leaving showrooms. But we’ve seen a transition from white and gray marbles to much warmer, veinier and more colorful stones over the past few seasons. Also, gorgeous, handmade ribbed, waffled and otherwise worked glass returned to showrooms in force this fall after making a splash last spring, and seems to be expanding in popularity.
3. Motifs Stem From Nature
Botanicals head to the tropics. Like beachy woven materials, flower-shaped light fixtures have been staples of our trend coverage since the pandemic ushered in fantasies of escaping to flower-filled fields. We saw plenty of lovely examples this fall, but as was the case last spring, many new designs featured foliage versus classic florals. Tropical leaves, such as those in the previously pictured Varaluz Century Palm chandelier, were particularly prevalent — perhaps driven by dreams of escaping to a tropical resort. This Saint Lucia S chandelier from Eichholtz, inspired by the banana tree, is another example.
The 5 Layers of a Well-Lit Dining Room
Botanicals head to the tropics. Like beachy woven materials, flower-shaped light fixtures have been staples of our trend coverage since the pandemic ushered in fantasies of escaping to flower-filled fields. We saw plenty of lovely examples this fall, but as was the case last spring, many new designs featured foliage versus classic florals. Tropical leaves, such as those in the previously pictured Varaluz Century Palm chandelier, were particularly prevalent — perhaps driven by dreams of escaping to a tropical resort. This Saint Lucia S chandelier from Eichholtz, inspired by the banana tree, is another example.
The 5 Layers of a Well-Lit Dining Room
Water’s trickling in. Coastal decor is perennially popular, but we’ve seen ocean motifs growing and diversifying beyond shells over the last few seasons as designers have looked beyond the garden for natural inspiration. This is also part of what trendspotters have identified as the growing influence of water in general as a design theme — watery ombre finishes, watery blue-greens, watery-looking surface treatments, glass that looks like rippled or melting water (such as in the previously pictured Melt chandelier) — you get the picture.
This fall, some of our favorite new twists on the ocean theme included what looked like vintage glass fishing floats and netted fish traps turned into pendant lights. Another was Kalco Lighting’s new Coral collection, a chandelier from which is pictured here. It has transparent or green glass beads covering branch-like arms, reminiscent of coral formations or water droplets.
Other motifs to watch. We haven’t noticed a marked increase in celestial and space-themed lighting at High Point since it first crossed our radars in 2023 — though there were new examples, such as the Lunar sconces from Wildwood. Nonetheless, trend forecasters continue to predict that its influence on shapes and finishes will increase. It was, after all, a major influence at the fall 2024 Maison & Objet show in Paris, which is often a predictor of what will hit U.S. markets.
This fall, some of our favorite new twists on the ocean theme included what looked like vintage glass fishing floats and netted fish traps turned into pendant lights. Another was Kalco Lighting’s new Coral collection, a chandelier from which is pictured here. It has transparent or green glass beads covering branch-like arms, reminiscent of coral formations or water droplets.
Other motifs to watch. We haven’t noticed a marked increase in celestial and space-themed lighting at High Point since it first crossed our radars in 2023 — though there were new examples, such as the Lunar sconces from Wildwood. Nonetheless, trend forecasters continue to predict that its influence on shapes and finishes will increase. It was, after all, a major influence at the fall 2024 Maison & Objet show in Paris, which is often a predictor of what will hit U.S. markets.
4. Cordless, Rechargeable Lighting Stays Lit
More companies enter the game. From a technological standpoint, the improvement of cordless, rechargeable lighting has been one of the biggest game changers in decorative lighting since LEDs revolutionized the industry. And the better the technology gets (some charges can last 15 hours or more), the more lighting and furniture showrooms introduce or expand collections of these little portable lamps. Lest you picture camping lanterns, know that the newest designs incorporate luxury materials like brass and natural stone.
Currey & Co., for example, launched its first collection of rechargeable lamps at the market, including the green-marble-and-brass Journey. Hudson Valley Lighting introduced a rechargeable collection (including the alabaster and brass Sefton) this fall too. Wildwood’s new collection included this organic-modern-style Theodore lamp, which was a top seller for the company at the market.
More companies enter the game. From a technological standpoint, the improvement of cordless, rechargeable lighting has been one of the biggest game changers in decorative lighting since LEDs revolutionized the industry. And the better the technology gets (some charges can last 15 hours or more), the more lighting and furniture showrooms introduce or expand collections of these little portable lamps. Lest you picture camping lanterns, know that the newest designs incorporate luxury materials like brass and natural stone.
Currey & Co., for example, launched its first collection of rechargeable lamps at the market, including the green-marble-and-brass Journey. Hudson Valley Lighting introduced a rechargeable collection (including the alabaster and brass Sefton) this fall too. Wildwood’s new collection included this organic-modern-style Theodore lamp, which was a top seller for the company at the market.
Designs expand and diversify. Most of these lights are petite table lamps. But we’re starting to see rechargeables in other categories of lighting too. One of the broadest (and most fun!) collections of rechargeables is from British lighting company Pooky, which offers more than 20 styles compatible with more than 300 shades.
Pooky’s rechargeable collection includes table lamps, floor lamps, picture lights, wall lights, sconces and, beginning in early 2025, rechargeable pendants, pictured here with just a few of the shade options.
Other technology to watch. Intelligent, adaptive lighting that can interact with wireless devices, adapt to occupancy and user preferences and adjust color temperature throughout the day wasn’t really discussed in the High Point showrooms we visited. But it’s a rapidly developing technology that’s making inroads into all areas of residential lighting, especially given consumers’ increasing understanding of how light impacts wellness (which was a topic of conversation in some of the High Point educational talks). So it’s just a matter of time.
Tell us: Which of these lighting designs could you see in your home? Tell us in the Comments.
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Pooky’s rechargeable collection includes table lamps, floor lamps, picture lights, wall lights, sconces and, beginning in early 2025, rechargeable pendants, pictured here with just a few of the shade options.
Other technology to watch. Intelligent, adaptive lighting that can interact with wireless devices, adapt to occupancy and user preferences and adjust color temperature throughout the day wasn’t really discussed in the High Point showrooms we visited. But it’s a rapidly developing technology that’s making inroads into all areas of residential lighting, especially given consumers’ increasing understanding of how light impacts wellness (which was a topic of conversation in some of the High Point educational talks). So it’s just a matter of time.
Tell us: Which of these lighting designs could you see in your home? Tell us in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more design stories
Read more industry show and fair recaps
Find design and remodeling professionals
Shop for home products
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Swag lights amp up the drama. Chandeliers seem to get bigger each season. And among the more glamorous lighting looks gaining traction as we head toward the new year is the large, jewelry-like swag chandelier. These multipoint fixtures have one canopy with either multiple individual pendants or a necklace-like flexible strand of lights, and those pendants or strands can be swagged or draped and attached to the ceiling at points of your choosing.
Last spring we fell for Noz Nozawa’s Daith chandelier for Corbett Lighting and Sean Lavin’s Collier chandelier at Visual Comfort. Lavin’s new Catena, which launched at the fall market, was a similar concept but with emerald-shaped, bezel-set crystals instead of a string of faceted crystal “beads.”
Another of the several standout examples to join their company this season was the Nephele by Corbett Lighting. Here, two Corbett Nephele pendants are layered for effect.
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