Transform Your Home: the Newest Trends in Lighting

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We’ve all been there, and it’s not a bad place to be, maybe just a little overwhelming. Moving into the home of your dreams is like having a fresh, clean canvas, and the possibilities to fill it are endless. With everything there is to do, it’s hard to keep a mental check list. What furniture do I want? Should the floors be marble or hardwood? Should I go for a modern or contemporary feel? Not to mention that dreaded little flipbook of paint and tile colors.

Yes, decorating a new home is a tedious process, but as you’re checking items off your list, don’t forget about lighting, as it is one of the most important decorative decisions you will have to make.
The lighting of a home not only sets the mood for its residents and guests, but it’s also a reflection of your personal style and creativity. There is so much inspiration for lighting design, stemming from both futuristic visions and past classic styles, and so the top lighting designers have given us a plethora of options to choose from when it comes to brightening up our homes. Whether you prefer sustainable, energy-efficient lighting or a trendy pendant fixture, there is an option to suit your unique taste. It’s time to (literally) light up your life, so keep reading to explore our top picks for 2015 and 2016 lighting trends.

Coastal Lighting with Ocean Inspirations
No matter where your new home is, this creative lighting style will visually transport you to your favorite beach. Designers use coral, driftwood and seashell inspirations to bring the calming feel of the ocean breeze straight to your living room. The distinctive, intricate shape of a coral reef makes for a table lamp that can be glossy and glitzy or more rustic looking, depending on your taste. Designers are using the weathered look of driftwood in combination with luxury design to make bases and stands for both table lamps and free-standing lamps. Adorning lighting with seashells creates an unexpected and crafty look. Strands of shells can create a dome for bulbs, or a large conch shell can be used as the centerpiece for a table lamp. There are many ways seashells can be elegantly used for lighting.

Pendant Lighting
Those with an eye for aesthetics are drawn to pendant lights, as they add a chic and trendy element to any home. They are mounted on a chain, cable, stern or wire and are similar to chandeliers in the sense that they are the focal point of the room. However, pendants differ from chandeliers because they involve just one large light instead of a clustered group of smaller ones.
Pendants are designed in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. They range from luxurious to understated and can be custom made to fit your personal style and aesthetic desires.

Brass Lighting and Brass Chandeliers
Brass is back and we’re loving it. Rich, warm and inviting, brass is a mix of the now and then, adding a nice vintage touch to a room or being as modern as they come. If you’re reading this and envisioning brass from the 1980s or early 1990s that was too shiny and yellow, don’t worry; we’re referring to solid brass and its timeless appeal.

LED Lighting
If cost and energy efficiency are important to you, look no further than LED lighting. When fashion meets functionality, you have LED lights. They are sleek, modern and compact in size, allowing them to be configured in ways that are appealing to the eye while still giving off ample light. Plus, nowadays, LED lights are efficient in controlling how warm or cool a light actually appears, as well as how much light is actually given off by the LED.

Wall-Mounted Lighting
If you really want to step up your style game, you may want to opt for lighting that is mounted to your walls to illuminate your hallways, bathrooms and even dining rooms. It’s a modern look that will make any room look chic and sophisticated. Just like pendant lighting, wall-mounted light fixtures can be designed to fit anyone’s style preferences.

Track and Rail Lighting
We’ve all heard the phrase “big things come in small packages,” and it rings true with track and rail lighting. Especially when these lighting forms are installed with LED light bulbs, they give off generous amounts of light in comparison to how compact and space efficient they are. Another plus for track lighting is that installations are highly customizable and can be easily adjusted if you want to make changes to a room. Track lighting is very versatile, as it can be wired nearly anywhere in a home, so light can be directed exactly where you want it.
So create a fresh approach in your new home, or splurge and shed new light where you are; the choices will truly brighten your days! ■

Sources: decoratorswisdom.com, hgtv.com, houselogic.com, kichler.com, lightingtrends.com, lightsonline.com and newhomesource.com.