Bold is back. Home interiors are trending toward more fun, playfulness, and experimentation to reflect homeowners’ unique personalities. Making the rounds in magazines and social media are pattern mixing and layered textures over more minimalist motifs. The National Kitchen and Bath Association annual trends study highlights designers and homeowners gravitating toward more color (and layered lighting) in kitchens and baths. The design industry’s color forecasts for 2025 are full of rich hues from deep blue, rich plum and chocolate. 

Shape

Light fixtures are often supporting features in a room, but the right one can communicate main character energy. Let statement lighting create a sense of wonder and drama. Fixture size and shape can make a big statement and first impression in an entryway or living room. 

Sculptural shapes create movement and resemble pieces of art, and chandeliers are available in nearly every design style. The Delfina by Hinkley features forged curves resembling billowy ribbons. Fandeliers – ceiling fan and chandelier combination lights – blend function and style. High drama isn’t limited to the ceiling. Boundary-breaking floor and table lamps can also get in on the action through unexpected shapes and colors.

                                                                                           

Color

Use lighting to layer even more color in a room. Fixture finish and color options are more plentiful than ever. Choose from various hues and patinas of brass. Shades of black and gray are eye-catching and sophisticated. From milky blues and greens to bright reds and yellows, bright and rich hues abound in colorful pendant lights and lampshades. Colored glass is also a beautiful option and can affect the mood and feel of a space.

Contrast

Creating contrast in a room disrupts the eye in a pleasing way by adding a touch of the unexpected. Use lighting in interior design to mix styles in complementary ways. Consider bringing in the clean lines of a modern light fixture to a bohemian theme. Are you a Scandi style fan? Choose a glam pendant or semi-flush mount to infuse a room with energy. If you’re a mid century aficionado, a rustic fixture enhances a room’s welcoming feel.  

A fixture’s finish can also create lovely contrast. Mixing metallics is another way to add contrast in your home. Farmhouse style lantern pendants in black and gold complement a neutral-rich coastal theme. Pick a primary finish for most features then a second metallic in a similar warm or cool undertone. In a bathroom or kitchen, an alternative is to select one metallic for faucets and hardware and another for light fixtures and accents.

Texture

Statement rooms look good to the touch, and design trends are moving toward more texture. One way to create a feel-good space is by adding texture. Like lighting, texture is best thought of as layers. Multiple sources of texture in different areas of the room have an anchoring effect – textural features invite your eyes to settle gently and move around the room. Twyla woven pendants can soften gleaming surfaces and crisp lines in kitchens and baths. 

Textural light fixtures can add another layer and more dimension, depending on the mood you want to create. Examples of texture in lighting include:

• Smooth and shiny finish
• Ridges and forged metal in various shapes
• Wood material
• Woven pendants and shades

 

Perfect Placement

Lighting in the right spaces and amounts adds brightness and shadow that please the eye. Use it to call attention to specific room features and decor. Downlights can illuminate prized pieces of wall art. Consider uplights and LED strip lights to illuminate colorful built-ins, decorative pieces, and treasured objects. 

Lighting can also highlight the ceiling, or what interior designers call the fifth wall. Painted and wallpapered ceilings are lovely and on-trend. Uplights placed along crown molding draw eyes upward to show off the ceiling, add volume, and make the room appear larger.

Movement

Interior designers use lighting as a decorating sleight of hand. Fixtures in the right places create movement in a room. A table lamp placed in front of a mirror sends light outward and helps visually expand a space. The fixture material and finish also play a role — shinier surfaces reflect light for a glowing and radiant effect.

Bold Design Takeaways

Whether you’re leaning toward maximalism, eclecticism, art deco, or something completely unique, embracing adventure in interior design allows living spaces to reflect your unique personality. Bring in bold lighting to make these standout spaces even better. 

 

Talk to a local lighting expert for a customized lighting plan with specific product recommendations that match your style and budget. Use our showroom finder for a location near you.