2014 Trends in Lighting

A chandelier is a chandelier is a chandelier…right? Wrong. Lighting, just like any other element of home design, experiences changes in trends in design from year to year.

A chandelier is a chandelier is a chandelier…right?  Wrong.  Lighting, just like any other element of home design, experiences changes in trends in design from year to year.  When choosing lighting for your home, it may be a little overwhelming when you realize just how many choices there are.  There are a wide variety of styles, designs and features available in any price point.  So, how do you choose?  You want to choose something on trend but not so trendy that it will be out of style in 30 days.  You want to incorporate personal taste but also choose something that goes with your home’s overall design aesthetic.  Below, we take a look at what trends are happening in lighting for 2014 so that you can make an informed decision when choosing lighting for your own home.

• LED Lighting

Ask almost any lighting designer and they will tell you that LED lighting is on trend right now.  The National Kitchen and Bath Association conducted a survey about kitchen and bathroom design trends and the findings reported that LED lights are all the rage.  Energy Star explains how LED lighting works, “LED lighting differs from incandescent and compact fluorescent lighting in several ways. When designed well, LED lighting can be more efficient, durable, versatile and longer lasting.  LED lighting products use light emitting diodes to produce light very efficiently. An electrical current passed through semiconductor material illuminates the tiny light sources we call LEDs. The heat produced is absorbed into a heat sink.”  More and more, we are seeing builders and designers opt for LED lighting and undoubtedly we will see a unanimous shift towards LED lighting going forward.

• Lighting As Art

Home design is not just about utility, it is about personal style and putting your own touches on every aspect of your home.  While lighting is important because we would not be able to see properly without it, that does not mean it has to be boring.  There are many beautiful designs today when it comes to lighting and homeowners and lighting designers are taking notice.  Just like you can showcase a beautiful piece of art, a gorgeous chandelier over your dining room table can be the centerpiece of the room and draw many “oohs” and “aahs.”

• Industrial

Exposed wires and industrial finishes are popular in lighting design right now.  Rather than hiding everything behind gilded finishes, a more industrial look has become popular among those who are interested in a minimalist or rustic approach to home design.

• Technology

Technology has become a very popular element of home design.  With home automation, you can control everything from the temperature of your home to when the dishwasher starts, on one device.  Lighting has also made a shift towards increased technology and automation.  Houselogic discusses the use of technology in lighting, “Do your eyes glaze over at the thought of yet another layer of hi-tech added to your everyday life? Fear not: In the hands of a pro, zone lighting systems are relatively easy to install. Home automation companies and lighting contractors can retrofit your house with a single-zone system in half a day for as little as $1,500, and a whole-house system for under $5,000.  You’ll get an easy-to-understand central control unit that “talks” with new switches, light fixtures, and bulbs that are specially made to receive wireless signals. You decide on your zones and, once everything’s set up, have the light throughout your house change intensity and color on command.”