Lighting can completely shape a home’s style and atmosphere. While it may not be the first priority during a redesign, the right illumination can dramatically enhance a space and add warmth, character, and function.
As tastes change and preferences evolve, it’s worthwhile to know which lighting trends have run their course—and what styles are worth investing in. We turned to interior designers for their expert advice on dated trends to consider skipping in the new year and what lamps and pendants to choose instead.
Exposed Track Lighting
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Track lighting, or adjustable fixtures mounted on a track, has been a staple over the years. However, interior designers now feel that it’s time to move away from this industrial look. “It can make a space feel cold and uninviting,” says Isfira Jensen, CEO and principal designer of Jensen & Co. Interiors. “Instead of enhancing the ambiance, it can make a room feel more like a commercial or industrial space.”
Instead, homeowners are opting for softer lighting solutions that create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Colorful LED Strip Lighting
Once popular for adding drama and color to a room, colorful LED strips are now falling out of favor. “They might seem like a fun addition to a room, but they tend to make a space feel anything but timeless,” says Jensen. “The bright, artificial colors often clash with the thoughtfully designed interiors, drawing attention away from the overall aesthetic.”
As homeowners move toward different, more sophisticated lighting choices, warm and layered lighting schemes are taking center stage.
Overhead Lighting Without Layers
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Relying solely on overhead lighting can make a space feel flat and uninviting. “If you take one piece of advice from this article, let it be the importance of having a variety of lighting,” says Abraham Chavez, interior designer at Bri Macdonald Designs. “Layering lighting at different heights adds depth and warmth to a space, creating a more dynamic environment.”
Matching Lighting Sets
Coordinated lighting sets, where every fixture in a room matches, have become a design faux pas. “When everything is too coordinated, it lacks visual interest—which is never what you want!” says Bri Macdonald, CEO of Bri Macdonald Designs. “A space that looks curated and collected over time feels much more personal and intentional.”
Now, designers are encouraging their clients to experiment with mixing styles, finishes, and materials, creating a more dynamic and layered look.
Flush-Mounted Lights
The flush-mounted, dome-shaped ceiling light has been a mainstay in homes for many years. However, designers agree that its time has passed. “I have yet to see a single one that isn’t unappealing, outdated, and quite frankly sad,” says Macdonald. This fixture is now being replaced with more stylish options that add both functionality and aesthetic appeal to a room.
Neon Signs
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Neon signs, once a trendy addition to bedrooms and home bars, are now out of step with more refined interiors. “Unless they use soft pastels and a subtle curved font, neon signs can make your space look and feel tacky,” says Chavez.
As homeowners embrace more elegant lighting solutions, bold neon colors are giving way to subtle ambient lighting that complements the overall design of a space.
