Trends: Let There Be Lighting

Now that we are spending so much more time at home, we’re paying greater attention to our lighting situations. For most of us, they are sadly lacking. Fortunately, this is one of the most innovative industries in the design world, and there are beautiful solutions for every challenge.

Lighting changes everything. The type of lighting, and the amount we receive, affects our mood, sleep patterns, energy levels, and productivity. Even our appetite can be either positively or negatively affected by light.

Wrap your head around this: Cooler light temperatures are better for concentration, alertness, productivity, and waking up, while warmer light temperatures are best for getting ready for bed.

“We often think lighting is only about trends and design but, we’re now understanding how important the effect of the light is as well,” Laura Van Zeyl said. Van Zeyl is Vice President of Lighting for the Dallas Market Center and a powerhouse of information. “If you are sitting with overhead recessed light, it’s not flattering. Layers of light are more functional for both tasks and how you appear on camera.”

Most of us grew up with incandescent lighting. That offers the warm cozy look we love. Our only other exposure was to ugly greenish fluorescent light that was prevalent in offices, schools, and hospitals. With the introduction of LED lighting, everything changed.

LED stands for light-emitting diode, and it is not just the most energy-efficient technology, but it also allows for the most incredible design opportunities. It’s come a long way in a very short time. Ten years ago, you’d be hard-pressed to find a bulb much less a fixture it would fit. Now LED has taken over, and the innovations continue at a breakneck pace.

“LED is the future,” Van Zeyl said. You can have all sorts of configurations, and even your legacy fixtures can take LED bulbs now. There is no compromise any longer, and the most exciting thing product-wise are tunable LED light fixtures and light bulbs. The color temp can be adjusted with one fixture or one bulb.”

One company on the cutting edge of lighting design is Boyd Lighting, founded in 1921 by the grandfather of Schuyler Sweet, who is the Principal of this family company.

“Our last three launches have all been LED,” Sweet said. “The beauty of LED is it allows you to design in new ways, and in tight spaces. It’s flexible, better for the consumer, and it’s phenomenally more efficient. Most LED fixtures are rated for 50,000 hours, that’s over five years. The color temp has improved phenomenally, and those green and blue tones no one liked are gone.”

So with all this innovation and limitless design opportunity provided by LED, what’s trending right now?

For Boyd lighting, it’s shapes. Their latest capsule collection has the beautiful slender Ovalo Pendants, the Branch Pendant, Sconce, Floor and Table Lamps, and the Axis Sconce.

Cecil Adams, the Creative Director of Curry & Company, sees a trend towards the 1970s for inspiration. “Baskets, wrapped rope, warmer wood tones, and natural materials are all on-trend. We are also seeing a lot of gold and brass with creams.

“It’s a simpler look now with a traditional form stripped down to its essence,” Adams says. “The whole modern coastal, modern farmhouse look is nostalgic and relatable, and we will continue to see that supported in lighting.”

If you need a quick fix, Michelle Lynne of ML Interiors Group has a few tips.

• “We’re seeing a lot of natural and organic materials. I can’t believe I just found my favorite on Amazon, this Cyan Design Pendant Hammock.”

• Of course, rattan and wicker are on-trend. Geometric glob chandeliers give you less of an intrusion into your dining room but also make a bold statement. There are some beautiful mixed metals right now.

• Matchy-matchy is OUT. You don’t need the dining room sconces to be part of a set with the chandelier. You don’t have to stick to one style

If you want to see the latest trends up close and personal, grab your designer and head over to the Dallas Market Center. The Dallas Lighting Expo runs August 19 to August 21.