J&D Design, our interior design partners, round up key lighting trends for 2020.
Lighting affects everything including the ambience and mood of a space– get it right and the whole feeling of your home’s interior will improve. Every room should have a mix of lighting, including overhead, accent and task lights, depending on what activities will take place in each room (such as eating, relaxing and working).
Begin with assessing the amount of natural daylight the room receives and what aspect it is: north or south facing or otherwise. This will determine light levels during the seasons and affect the type of light the room needs. For example, a north-facing room will only receive a minimum amount of light even in summer. During winter months, it could be practically dark after midday so lighting fixtures with a higher luminescence or lux will be needed.
Biophilia
The trend for connecting with nature and bringing it into our homes continues to be prevalent. Blending nature into the home to help create a relaxing atmosphere is one of the key influences defining interior trends for 2020. In colour psychology green is understood to bring peacefulness and harmony to the environment it is in, and so introducing biophilic designs indoors helps us to connect with nature and de-stress. We love the botanical influences of designers such as Gillian Arnold, Graham & Green, Curiousa and Curiousa and Nest.
Organic Materials
An increase in environmental awareness has resulted in a trend across the whole of the interior design sphere towards the use of organic materials. High quality natural materials, which are durable and often upcycled or recycled, are designed into everything from furniture to lighting to create aesthetically satisfying functional objects. Soft neutral colours and a prominence of form over extravagant aesthetics leads the way. Materials and finishes such as wood, bamboo, rope, recycled glass, metal and marble offer opportunities to incorporate an organic feel with a modern, industrial, classic or contemporary look. Choice will depend on the style of your home.
Geometric shapes
Another resurgence across the wider interior design industry are geometric shapes, influencing design trends from wallpapers and fabrics to high end luxury furniture and lighting. Look out for clean lines, sleek materials and minimal decoration. Asymmetric patterns, structured metallic shapes and crisp geometric angles are the order of the day.#
Gold with Monochrome
Alongside the move towards organic materials is a desire to retain a sense of luxury and glamour. In colour symbolism, gold is the symbol of sun: masculine, powerful, warm and regenerative. In lighting design this colour pairs well with monochrome painted metal and ceramic finishes. Combine gold with either black or white and it will bring your lighting back on trend whilst retaining guaranteed glamour.
Layering light
Take a layered approach to lighting using different light sources across different levels to create ambience and interest in a room. Use lighting to make the most of a room’s size and shape. Uplighting makes a room feel larger. Low hung pendants will create an illusion of height, while in contrast clustered lighting makes large rooms seem cosier.
Mood lighting
Table lamps, wall lights or picture lights provide added interest and an opportunity to highlight art or special architectural features. This level of light is the most creative and can add character and depth to the room.
Task lights
Lighting for work areas such as desks and kitchens should always be task oriented. If the kitchen is also used as a social area, consider a dimmer switch to create a less functional lighting effect and a different ambience in the room.
If you would like further advice about your current lighting scheme or would like to discuss new ideas for your home, please contact us directly at [email protected].
J&D Design specialise in the application of colour and design, and provide clients with personalised design services, including interior design, commissioning artworks, lighting schemes and garden landscaping. In addition to their range of personalised design services, J&D Design offers a remote E-Design service and gift vouchers, with exclusive discounts for Marsh & Parsons’ clients.
If you’d like to read more from J&D design, they’ve written plenty more for the Marsh & Parsons blog, from eco-friendly design tips to using colour psychology to decorate your child’s bedroom.
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