Lamps Plus, the nation’s largest lighting retailer, brought together two dozen top interior designers and home décor tastemakers for a look at the lighting and home décor influences they see homeowners gravitating toward in 2024.

“The best way to update a space is to light it,” said Ashley Fultz. “So many houses...are dark and dreary, and in order to bring a house to life, you need to light every corner.”

From new hues to a continued focus on adaptable spaces, the insights are illuminating. Among their predictions:

Layered lighting
To achieve rich, dramatic lighting within a space, use layers of light – lighting that comes from multiple sources. There are three main light sources to consider: task, overhead, and accent lighting, all of which together create a smooth visual transition within a space and build an ambiance for the need at hand. By using this blend of lighting, you create well-lit, comfortable rooms with light control for any occasion. Dimmable fixtures are an excellent, and some would say essential, means of helping to achieve the look.
Layered lighting is important in any room, and it’s especially beneficial in multiuse spaces, which continue to define homes. Dining rooms are doubling as offices, outdoor spaces are also living rooms, and basements are now movie theaters, fitness areas and more. Lighting that serves multiple functions, like a torchiere floor lamp with gooseneck side lights, can help achieve both overhead lighting and task lighting, depending on the need.

“I love options. Give me all the cozy options while also letting me blow out a space with lights,” said Joslyn Davis. “More is more when it comes to lighting.”

Lived-in and loved
Gone are overly designed, fussy rooms straight out of a magazine. Homeowners are now leaning into rich colors, patterns, lighting, and textures – curating a home that feels custom, vintage, and unique. Rooms reflect the people who live in the homes, and many want them to reflect their personal experiences and history. Lighting is utilized to showcase the space and create a warm, welcoming environment.

“A well-designed space should feel collected, one that takes some time to curate,” said Julie Khuu. “It should have a mix of antique furniture, vintage elements, something sentimental, something custom, and then you can sprinkle in that something new.”

Brown is the new neutral
Brown is trending to make a comeback in the new year, moving away from the former lighter gray washes and taupes, bringing neutral warmth back into homes. Just as 90s minimalism is trending again, brown has begun to win over designers and homeowners. Deep walnut, sienna, bronze, and copper, along with natural woods and buttery-soft leathers, are filling our rooms and embracing us in their cozy arms.

“Brown is just so comforting and inviting. Rooms decorated in browns feel like a big, warm hug,” said Julie Khuu. “Cozy brown is our answer to the stark greys we are trying to move away from in the early 2000s.”

Colorful simplicity
Out are the stark white interiors with pops of black. People are still gravitating toward the simplicity of minimalist spaces but are more drawn to deep, rich hues and textured interiors than in previous years.

“My ideal design is a lot of rich color, a lot of rich pattern,” said Claire Brody. “All coming from a very maximalist vibe.”

Green is here to stay
For the third year in a row, green continues to be a popular color with experts considering it neutral in certain cases. Green adds an organic and calming atmosphere to a space while also being the perfect pop of color, regardless of the shade you pick. This year, greens are leaning towards sages, olives and more muted tones.

“As someone who doesn’t incorporate a lot of color into their home, green feels very natural because it is in nature,” said Anne Sage. “I’m just following what is outdoors and bringing it in.”

Source: Lamps Plus is one of the nation’s largest lighting retailers. For information, call 800-782-1967 or visit lampsplus.com.