Top Lighting Trends

Since the invention of the lightbulb in the late 1800s, artificial light has fueled our 24/7 society. The right lighting can create a mood, help you to complete a delicate task or even just give you the ability to read long after the sun has set. We devoted our entire May curriculum to the latest trends and breakthroughs in lighting.

Natural Light

“Daylight is the gold standard when it comes to lighting, and it’s free,” says Doug Walter, AIA. “But the sun doesn’t shine 24 hours, so good electrical lighting is imperative.” Walter’s seminar, Show Your Work in a Better Light, is one of four lighting-focused NKBA courses and webinars this May. According to Walter, in addition to electrical light, designers are finding more ways to maximize natural light with larger windows and doors and the addition of skylights. They are also incorporating fixtures that mimic daylight. Along with being cost effective and aesthetically beautiful, it’s healthy, too. Sunlight exposure, whether natural or artificial, helps balance the body’s circadian rhythms, leading to more energy and better sleep.

Layered Lighting

Instead of just one main source of light, the concept of light layering–using many different types and intensities of light fixtures– is a best practice, says Walter. Rooms might have a central fixture, recessed cans and indirect up-lighting, not only illuminating the room but providing task lighting and accent lighting as well. A kitchen, for example, might have under-cabinet lighting, allowing you to chop with precision, with decorative pendants layered in for an overall glow.

Background Lighting

“Background or behind the scenes lighting is having a moment,” says Karyn Judd Reilly, CKD. Back-lit furniture pieces, lighting above kitchen cabinets and toe kick lighting in closets and baths create a subtle glow and enhance design features. As the light source isn’t visible, it creates an opportunity for designers to use the light itself as a design element adds Reilly, who is presenting Advanced Lighting for Kitchens and Baths.

Industrial Looks

Bare bulbs and industrial looks with exposed wiring are being used more often, even in traditional spaces, where if offers a nice contrast to the classic design. But, designers need to account for the glare these fixtures create, cautions Reilly, especially for clients who wish to age in place in their homes.

Lighting Trends in Universal Design

When it comes to lighting trends in universal design, designers and contractors who understand the value of safety are installing lighting under handrails and the nose of steps according to Louie Delaware, Living in Place Institute, LLC, and presenter of Lighting for Living in Place.

LED Trends

Jeffrey Dross, corporate director of education and industry trends for Kichler, is seeing a marked rise in the use of LEDs. “In the next 15 years, we will move to almost 75 percent LED illumination in the United States,” says Dross, who is presenting LED—10 Myths Busted. “There is simply too much evidence and too great an electric savings to avoid change.” This trend was noted in the 2017 NKBA Design Trends Survey (add link) as well, which showed a marked increase in the use of all types of LEDs in both kitchens and bathrooms.

This increase in LED use is leading to changes in the technology as well, notes Dross.

LEDS Shaping the Future

Diffusers no longer need to hide an A-shaped light bulb, and because LED lights are so small, they’re changing the shape and size of LED fixtures. Instead, designers are now free to develop sculptural pieces that are as much about form as they are about function.

LED Colors

“The color of light can now be a part of the design process as well,” says Dross. It’s possible to create a vast range of colors with LEDs including primary red, green and blue, as well as variations like sunny yellow and deep magenta.

“We’re starting to consider the possibilities of using light in a way that goes beyond just illuminating a space,” says Delaware. “There is a bright new world of using lighting to adjust the color of objects, influence moods and productivity and, in general, make all homes more accessible, comfortable and safe, for everyone.”

To learn more about lighting tips and trends, check out these upcoming NKBA courses:

Join the founders of the Living In Place Institute as they explore new ideas in lighting and controls. Lighting for Living in Place will show you how to create a lighting plan that benefits all your clients by allowing them to remain in their home as they age.

If you’ve already developed a basic understanding of lighting design, Advanced Lighting for Kitchens & Baths will walk you through the next level. From understanding reflectance to detailed specification, you’ll learn everything you need to up your lighting game.

LED lighting is no longer new, but common misconceptions remain. LED—10 Myths Busted! will review 10 of the most common misunderstandings of LED Lighting and share how you can turn them from a negative to a positive.

In Show Your Work in a Better Light, you’ll learn from award-winning examples and case studies of before and after kitchens where the principles of better lighting have been applied. The results? Happier customers and lower energy costs.