The New Year is a time of reflection and renewal, not only for us but also for our homes. With the holiday rush over and the last bit of holiday decorations put away, most of us finally have a chance to look around our everyday living spaces and think about some annual updates. Changing your home's lighting is a wonderful way to go subtle or bold and change not only the look of your home, but also its atmosphere. Lighting is more than just a way to see where you're going: it can also create a “wow” factor that reflects your style.
If you're ready to give your home a new lease of life, here are some home lighting trends that designers predict will shine in 2025.
Meet the expert
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Karla Alvarado is the owner of HomeNovate, a construction company in the San Antonio area.
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Poplar Schoerner Smith is a designer and lead stylist at Lamps Plus.
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Eva Andersen is CEO of design studio Gilded Antler in Greenville, South Carolina.
Bold and bright
This year's ornamental offerings are definitely eye-catching. “Bold, geometric lighting fixtures will make a statement in both new construction and renovations, adding an artistic touch to spaces,” says Karla Alvarado, owner of HomeNovate, a San Antonio-area home builder. “Home accessories with unique looks and designs are on the rise, and these geometric lighting fixtures will add the perfect touch.”
Back to nature
Bringing the outside inside is nothing new in design. Homeowners often use branches, greenery and more to decorate furniture of all kinds, and next year the look will be taken to a new level.
“We will see more natural and organic lighting fixtures that recreate flowers, branches and trees in new ways, from chandeliers to sconces to ceiling lights,” says Poplar Schoerner Smith, designer and lead stylist at Lamps Plus.
Keep shining
The days of bright, sometimes unflattering overhead lighting are quickly passing. Warmer, softer and more tolerant LED options are leading the way. Advances in lighting technology have expanded the possibilities, from using multiple lights for different tasks to something that can change depending on the time of day and room usage.
These will be particularly useful in a space that can serve multiple functions, says Alvarado. For example, a room that serves as a home office during the day and takes on a more mysterious glow during evening activities would not require two different lighting configurations. The newer LED lights allow you to quickly switch between different moods.
Color and intensity aren't the only factors changing LED technology. Eva Andersen, CEO of Greenville, South Carolina, design studio Gilded Antler, says size matters in this new space. “Lighting designers are excited about the ability to shape light and create shapes that hide the source or bulb like never before,” she says.
Layered looks
The trend of layering different types of lighting – ambient, task and accent lighting – will continue to gain momentum. Homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to create versatile spaces with customizable lighting options. Layered lighting allows homeowners to direct light to a preferred area when needed. It also creates a comfortable space that is visually appealing and functional, says Alvarado.
Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Lindsey Ellis Beatty
Big and responsible
The larger profiles of homes are capable of showcasing large items, and in 2025 there will be no shortage of options that showcase oversized lighting fixtures. Jodi Peterman, CEO and owner of Elizabeth Erin Designs in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, sees this trend in several interesting ways.
“In 2025, people will be adding big accents to their homes, from large dining room chandeliers and bathroom wall sconces to oversized ceiling lights and fans – these expressive designs are works of art in themselves,” says Peterman. However, larger lights are not just suitable for indoor use. Peterman also sees a trend toward larger exteriors, as today's homes have a taller, narrower facade.
Sunk over the can
In 2025, interior designers predict an upswing in recessed lighting. Can and recessed lights provide targeted light without the visual distraction of a flush-mounted light. They can make the room appear larger. Recessed lights are similar to can lights but are more elegant. The lights sit flush with the ceiling without a bulb or ring visible on the edge. They provide additional elegance and targeted lighting without being intrusive.
Claire Thompson of Mississippi-based Claire Thompson Design is already noticing this trend catching on, and she's totally on board with it. She says: “My goal is to never use can lighting again if possible!”
Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Lizzie Cullen Cox
Cozy lamps
Of course, Thompson says there are other ways to warm up your spaces that pique homeowners' interest.
Placing lamps in strategic locations provides just the right amount of light to create an inviting reading nook, conversation area or cozy spot on the sofa. It's easy to change the mood in a room with just one click, using a switch that controls the lighting level and can turn all the lights in the room on or off at the same time. Thompson says these easy-to-use switches will continue to find their way into homes in 2025.
Read the original article on Southern Living