Contemporary lighting styles and their features

10/2022

Loft

In recent years, the Loft style has become particularly popular. It can amaze with a combination of freedom, harmony, and brevity. The absolute advantage of a loft is the opportunity to experiment and try something unique and unusual. Try hanging an ordinary incandescent lamp without a fixture on bare wires indoors, and you will be surprised how stylish and relaxed it will look. And yet, lighting in the Loft style has specific standards.

Your Loft-style space should be large enough and free. Thanks to this, you can choose different types of lighting. Install one of the classic chandeliers; add a medium-sized floor lamp or a more bulky one that will have a leg. Remember that the combination of lighting fixtures must be correct. 

This style originated in the United States when many people lived in factories due to a lack of housing. The working premises were converted into living quarters, acquiring a new special appearance. They were spacious and quite dark, so lighting was not only an element of interior design but also an urgent necessity. Lamps on chains, various types of spotlights, spots with several positions, and oversized lights of simple shapes go well with this style.

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Preview photo by Ramona Balaban on Unsplash
Photo by Sidekix Media on Unsplash

Empire

Empire style is the personification of majesty and power; it always looks expensive and luxurious. Interestingly, lighting in such an interior plays a key role. The furniture is usually rectangular, and there should also be many mirrors in the room. However, let's focus specifically on lighting devices. 

The main element is a large central chandelier. It performs not only a decorative role but also the role of a powerful light source. Significantly, all its details were symmetrical, and its style should generally be classic. The best option is when the lampshades look like candles. 

Empire style does not involve spotlighting since it is simply impractical in such a room. A reasonably strong light source in the central part of the room and a large number of mirrors ensures sufficient illumination of the entire space. If we talk about decorative lamps, then they are undoubtedly suitable in this case. These can be both small desktop light sources and wall lamps. Although the furniture is rectangular, designers recommend rounded table lamps. They should be placed symmetrically throughout the room, and their light should be directed at the mirrors. Empire style can often be found in restaurants or theatres.

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Modern

Simplicity and brevity can be distinguished among the main features of the Modern style. This style appeared as a replacement for a pathetic interior or maximum conservatism. It is also called "ordered chaos" because you can see many broken lines, rounded shapes, and asymmetrical things. Straight corners do not characterize modern; it combines multifunctionality and decor. The peculiarity of the style is that, in this case, the lamps will perform a double function – both decorative and illuminating.

Like the Loft style, Modern allows experiments with different types of lighting. Still, each element should have an emphasis on status and prestige. Natural materials (stone, leather, glass and wood) are best suited, so lamps are also installed according to the color and shape of these materials.

Hanging chandeliers and ceiling lamps are an excellent addition to interiors in the Modern style. In most cases, they are the primary source of light in the room, and spots and wall lamps provide particular local light. As for the decorative part of the interior, floor lamps in light colors will be appropriate here. Modern style is the style of living spaces, small cafes and offices.

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Hi-tech

Nowadays, one of the most popular styles of lighting is Hi-tech. It originated in the 60s of the 20th century. Still, it became the most common in the 2010s and has been actively used in interior design. Hi-tech represents a combination of innovative technologies and minimalism. Here, each element is constructive and performs a particular role. This style can often be found in residential buildings, institutions, offices, and public places.

Maximum functionality and simplicity are the key characteristics of the Hi-tech style. The primary light source is usually small hanging or ceiling lamps. At the same time, significant attention from designers is paid to spotlighting. Such lamps can be installed near sofas, tables or various household appliances. Spots and overhead lights of small sizes are the most effective. They are not only a functional part of the interior but also decorative elements of the room. 

In a room decorated in high-tech style, you will never see any floor lamps, chandeliers with many hanging elements or large table lamps. Everything is very concise, as simple as possible and at the same time elegant. Usually, black and white tones prevail, and a wide range of colors does not characterize high-tech. 

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Provence

In the style of Provence, the emphasis is on creating space in light colors, and such rooms should evoke a feeling of unique comfort, coziness and warmth. So specialists often use attractive ceiling lamps of small sizes and various wall lamps. In most cases, preference is given to materials of natural colors. The room's light should be discreet and inconspicuous but effective enough. Therefore, lamps of this style are pretty simple but create incredible coziness and comfort.

Small shades with decorative elements will fit best. They can be in the form of flowers or geometric shapes. Provence is a French style, and a certain rural provincialism characterizes it and, simultaneously, unique elegance and sophistication. To install additional lighting, specialists use lamps attached to the wall. As for decorative light sources, you can't do without elegant floor lamps and table lamps.

Lighting in the style of Provence is used primarily in home space design. It is an excellent addition to residential apartments and private houses, with the main emphasis on coziness, not pomp or multi-functionality.

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