Ready to brighten up your new home with some upgrades? Even if you’re purchasing the home of your dreams, the right lighting scheme can quickly personalize any space. Even more, installing new lighting fixtures can be an affordable way to add style and dimension without having to undergo an expensive renovation. That means, no contractors traipsing in and out of your home and no budgets inflating beyond your comfort zone. And, if you do opt to hire an electrician, this type of job is typically straightforward and quick.
So exactly what kind of lighting scheme should you choose for your new home? A lot of it depends on your personal style and existing decor. To help narrow down your options, we’ve pulled the three most popular lighting trends. Each trend is easy to replicate in your own home no matter what your budget might be. Here are some bright ideas!
Pendant Lights
From rustic to orbital pendants, this shape continues to be a huge hit. Even better is that pendants are extremely versatile and easy to incorporate into any design scheme. Lantern-style pendants give the ambience of a cozy modern farmhouse. A glass globe with an Edison-style bulb adds an industrial vibe to any space. Smooth bell pendants, on the other hand, offer a chic, warm look that automatically adds a level of sophistication. Your options are truly limitless when it comes to finding the right style of pendant, which is part of the reason why they’re trending right now.
Wondering where to place pendant lights? Your call! For a large impact, you can hang several of the same pendants in a row over a single space, such as a kitchen island. If you have a small area that needs light and a style injection, like over the kitchen sink or in a small closet, a single pendant will fit perfectly.
Midcentury Modern
One of the fastest growing trends in home design and décor is midcentury modern. This Jetson-esque style is especially prominent in lighting, where there are countless options to incorporate into any design scheme. If you really want to make a statement, consider getting a sputnik chandelier, which looks like an explosion of rods with globe-shaped bulbs at the end of each one. Or for smaller spaces, add in a few geometric lamps or an oblong paper lantern.
Don’t be afraid to add midcentury modern elements to your home if you don’t have anything else that references the era. One of the biggest design mistakes you can make is to only incorporate elements from a single style or time period. By mixing and matching, you can add layers of interest and character to your home. Add a dash of midcentury modern whimsy by picking a lighting scheme from this trending style.
Soft Gold Finishes
First it was brushed nickel, then it was oil-rubbed bronze, but either way, gold never goes out of style. While shiny brass may look outdated, consider giving your home a facelift with soft gold finishes. These lighting fixtures particularly complement lighter wall colors, like the ever popular grey.
When you swap out your light fixtures for soft gold, be sure to remember your wallplates, as well. It doesn’t matter if they’re plastic beige or a newer metallic finish, you can purchase replacements at any hardware store. For a cheaper fix, find a can of spray paint and give those old wallplates a quick coat to match your new lighting.
Whether you’re putting your home on the market or have recently moved to a new home, consider the bigger, and brighter, picture. Take a look around and pinpoint a few spots where the lighting is either outdated or simply doesn’t make the statement you want. Once you start making a few replacements, you’ll realize that adding an updated lighting trend can make any space feel new again.
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