by Paula M. Bodah
the latest interior lighting trends are beautiful, functional and smart
THE WORLD OF LIGHTING DESIGN is in a state of continual innovation, and in 2025, there’s a special emphasis on marrying form and function with style, sustainability and the latest technology.
Make a statement in your home with a funky, modern chandelier, an interesting way to increase ambient lighting or create a dramatic effect in an otherwise dark space. No matter which—or all—you choose, creating a custom lighting plan for your home has never been easier.
Oversized chandeliers, sculptural pendants and unique floor lamps offer task-oriented lighting and can be striking statement pieces, adding personality and visual interest to a room. Materials with an organic, natural feel bring warmth to the home, and lighting designers are making fixtures made of or incorporating travertine, marble, alabaster, linen and wood as well as woven bamboo, rattan or rope. There’s an increasing emphasis on sustainability in lighting, focusing on eco-friendly materials, including using recycled products and designs that minimize environmental impact. It also includes energy-efficient technologies such as LED.
Tape lights, sometimes called ribbon or rope lights, have long been used for under-cabinet lighting, but the strands of low-voltage LED bulbs are remarkably versatile. In the kitchen, they can be installed around the island’s base for soft up light and under the seating overhang for a glowing ambience. Tucked in a glass-front cabinet, they them hidden in the edges of a dining room’s tray ceiling, casting a warm glow over your next dinner party. The options are nearly limitless. “I’ve seen them inserted in a kitchen backsplash and a shower niche or shelf,” says Arielle Cofer of Bright Ideas, Inc., in Albuquerque. In new construction, especially in contemporary-style homes, builders and designers are creating custom walls with channels designed to hold tape lighting. “It’s an architectural feature that’s also functional,” she explains.
Necessity is, indeed, the mother of invention, and it was restaurateurs’ need for table lamps that don’t require outlets that led to a wealth of rechargeable, cordless, portable lights. These compact fixtures can act as task lighting on a desk or a reading table or enhance your home’s overall ambiance. They come in traditional and modern styles, and most are suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
While programmable lighting has been around for a while, systems just keep getting smarter. LEDs are exceptionally versatile, lending themselves to almost infinite options for custom settings. Set them to change from cool to warm white, from amber to any color of the rainbow to suit your mood or the occasion.
Beyond creating a personalized atmosphere, smart systems can make the home a safer place. Set tape lights along a hallway’s baseboard and program them to sense motion so that when someone gets out of bed, they automatically come on to illuminate the path to the bathroom. You can set smart lighting systems to your location and program them to follow sunrise and sunset to turn off and on using a precise schedule, helping you keep your circadian rhythm in balance.
“Today’s lighting can do just about anything,” Cofer says. Whether you’re remodeling or building a new home, embracing a blend of natural materials, innovative designs and advanced technology enables you to customize your lighting to suit your aesthetic and lifestyle.
