One of the largest segments of this years’ Salone del Mobile in Milan was dedicated to the best and brightest trends in lighting design. Our tour de Salone began right at this place, so we’ll use this opportunity to show you some of the most interesting trends in lighting design we noticed on last week’s trip.
#1 LED lighting
Interestingly, it was LED lighting that emerged as one of Salon’s leading trends. The most striking examples were curved metal lamps, predominantly in the shape of interlaced circles with continual LED strips on one side. Many manufacturers proudly display their lamps with LED strips that maintain their intensity even through the curved parts. Some models featured prefabricated metal elements, on some others they were painted black, while high polish stainless steel also proved to be a popular material
#2 Wooden lamps
The same theme is also featured in the wooden lamps. Many of them were made out of a combination of wooden and LED strips, intertwined in the most unusual ways.
#3 Paper chandeliers
Interestingly enough paper chandeliers were such a treat, like the unusual origami sculptures on a wall. We honestly can’t wait to play around with them and use them in some of our next designs.
#4 Grouping several small pendants
Apparently, the trend of grouping several small pendants in clusters is still going strong. Yet, unlike previous years, this season we can see various pendants of different sizes and shapes all grouped in one solid batch.
#5 Pendant design
There are also new materials in use when it comes to pendant design. Although glass plays the lead role, there are also other common materials such as plaster, composite mixtures, stone and concrete imitations.
#6 Glass lamps
When it comes to glass lamps, the prevailing trend this year is the combination of transparent and milky glass, often in different colors and with interesting transitions.
#7 Products made of plywood
Another proof that lamp design is becoming more and more imaginative is the appearance of products made of plywood. These lamps are often painted in various colors, while the bending of thin strips results in chandeliers of the most inviting shapes.
#8 Industrial style lighting
As expected, when it comes to commercial interiors, the industrial style is still dominant. A large number of metal wire chandeliers, lamps and pendants noticed at the fair absolutely proves it. Yet, in addition to black metal and copper, this year, the industrial style took a slight turn and painted itself white.
#9 Lampshades of interesting mesh-like materials
Another version of the industrial style is reflected in the lampshades of interesting mesh-like materials.
#10 Midcentury modern style
The revival of the midcentury modern style is still apparent. However, nostalgia is somewhat less prevalent than before.
#11 Interesting lighting solutions
One Japanese company presented its lighting solutions in an unusual way – through walls, wooden surfaces, and works of art.
#12 Ceramic lamps with cloth lampshades
Ceramic lamps with cloth lampshades present a classic that never goes out of fashion. This year, we saw many alluring examples of such styles.
#13 Rounded pendants
Rounded pendants, as well as those in the form of a tube, are still offered by a large number of companies. However, there are notable variations in terms of material choices, sizes, and forms of stylization.
#14 Large wall lamps in oval shapes
One of the biggest trends this year is the large wall lamps in oval shapes with diffuse and indirect lighting that creates an interesting shadow play on the walls (such are the lamps in our featured photo).
#15 Smart lighting options
Finally, another trend worth mentioning is the smart lighting options. A perfect example of such products is the kinetic chandeliers that open and close, move, dim and change the volume of brightness. Several exhibitors including Flos presented lighting management apps for mobile phones. The examples are really impressive. We even saw a singing lamp (but you’ll have to trust our words on that)!
