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Lighting Trends 2022: Technology and Aesthetics to Improve Your Property

When it comes to lighting trends, 2022 is going to be a great year. Everyone in the lighting industry – from lighting manufacturers to interior designers – is excited about new advances and decorating techniques. Here’s a look at what you can expect when it comes to improving the lighting in your property. Many of these trends are perfect for attracting quality tenants and improving the value of apartment buildings.

Lighting That Functions as Art

Statement fixtures that wow

Lighting fixtures have become more sophisticated and more artistic over the last decade or so, resembling the chandelier boom of the 16th and 17th centuries. Lighting doesn’t have to take a back seat to artwork anymore, with fixtures that draw the eye and become the central focus of any room. Look for these trends when it comes to statement lighting fixtures in 2022:

• Enormous ceiling fixtures
• Lighting that resembles sculpture
• Renovated antique and vintage pieces
• Fixtures that mimic the building’s architecture
• Mixed marble and metallics
• Art Deco-style pieces
• Mega LED light strips formed into writing or shapes
• Chandeliers in unusual places (bedrooms, kitchens, offices, etc.)

High-End Bedroom Lighting

As nice as the rest of the apartment

When you see chandeliers appearing in bedrooms, you know that part of the home is finally getting treated as well as the living area. People are spending as much on their bedroom lighting as they do on fixtures elsewhere. This is spurred in part by people doing less socializing and working at home, sometimes with a corner of the bedroom converted to a home office or reading nook. As well as chandeliers, bedrooms in 2022 will feature more sconces (see below), artsy table lamps, and gigantic floor lamps harking back to the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Natural and Sustainable Materials

Adding warmth and originality

Some folks are opting to warm up their interiors with more natural materials, especially those that are eco-friendly. You’ll see more bamboo, as well as reclaimed materials, such as wood, leather, and wrought iron.

Nordic Inspiration

Sleek, modern decor

If all of those sustainable lighting fixtures sound like Denmark or Sweden in the middle of the 20th century, you’re on the right track. Nordic design is back in a big way with lighting. While using natural materials in decor is a hallmark of Scandinavian decor, this style also embraces clean lines, sleek modernity, and form that also improves function (e.g., flexible floor lamps for reading or table lamps that light up dark winter evenings).

Wall Sconces

Not old-fashioned anymore

Wall sconces are popular again, but they’re not just being used in Colonial and classic American homes. They’ve been modernized to suit any decor, even ultra contemporary. Trends in wall sconces include using them to highlight art, symmetrical placing, and custom-made shades to match interior fabrics.

Sconces are perfect for smaller apartments because they don’t need to occupy any precious floor space. They’re also a terrific solution for adding lighting to pre-war apartment buildings. In these properties, rewiring can be challenging, and wall-mounted lighting is easier to accomplish versus ceiling fixtures that require the impossible task of going through thick cement floors above.

Pendant Lighting

Replacing recessed lighting

In building remodels, recessed lighting is waning in popularity, replaced by new pendant lighting in all rooms of the home. Pendant lights come in a wide variety of styles and can be hung at any height to improve task lighting and add a touch of beauty to otherwise sterile rooms. One of the latest trends is hanging pendant light fixtures in clusters of various lengths, which give the effect of a chandelier spread over a larger area. Globes, cones, bubbles, and rods are all in-demand shapes right now in pendant lighting, which has become as artsy and varied as other types of lighting fixtures.

Layered Lighting

For a rich look

The best interior designers working in New York City know that to create a luxe look, layering elements of decor is key. The same concept applies to lighting. Using different types of lighting in combination can make a property look more expensive. For example, in a living room, table lamps and floor lamps can be used in conjunction with overhead lighting fixtures and built-in lighting, such as in bookcases, to make the space appear high-end and welcoming.

Smart Bulbs

The ultimate mood lighting

Smart bulbs are often how decor-conscious property owners find their way into the world of lighting technology. These lights use wireless transmissions, like other smart devices, to communicate with a home hub or mobile phone. You can control a smart bulb from across the room like adjusting your television set with a remote. This lets you dim or brighten the bulb accordingly.

You can adjust the coolness or warmth of smart bulbs, too, in order to encourage wakefulness and focus during the day and relaxation at night. Of course, you can also schedule on/off functionality, making these bulbs more energy-efficient and better for home safety.

Bespoke Lighting

Solving unique lighting problems

Some properties have lighting issues or occupants that require a one-of-a-kind approach. In this instance, bespoke lighting works wonders. Property owners can configure sconces, under-cabinet lighting, toe-kick lighting, and more to eliminate cords (safer for seniors and people with kids or pets). And for luxury properties, this type of custom lighting can be tailored to showcase art collections or provide the ultimate in convenience. The sky’s the limit!

If your property needs new lighting, you want to make sure it’s done right. It may entail rewiring or matching fixtures to the right dimmer switches, for instance. At Bolt Electric, we have a team of licensed electricians to make sure your lighting upgrade is done quickly, cleanly, and safely. Call us at 212-434-0098 or contact us online to set up a consultation at your convenience.