Lighting Trends That Will Be Popular In 2023, According To A Design Expert

From eye-catching statement fixtures that serve as a room's focal point to subtle recessed lights that provide gentle illumination, lighting is an integral component to the home and it offers numerous ways to help craft a certain ambience. Lighting may not be the very first thing you consider when designing a space, but it definitely shouldn't be something you overlook. That's because, as Cubicoon explains, lighting is far from just a functional element in design. It can impact your mood in substantial ways, with some types of lighting energizing you while others calm you.

As an added bonus, switching up the lighting can quickly and easily refresh a space in your home. There are certain types of additions that require a lot more work, such as introducing lighting to new areas where wiring will come into play. For that, you'd likely need a professional, however, simply switching out a few light fixtures can be an easy DIY project that will make a huge aesthetic impact with minimal effort. In an exclusive interview with House Digest, interior designer Jen Dallas, founder of Jen Dallas Interiors, gives us the inside scoop on the lighting trends that will be popular in 2023. If you're looking to give a bit of a facelift to certain rooms or areas in your home, you may find some inspiration from her expert design eye.

The term pendant light refers to a light fixture that is suspended from the ceiling. Typically, these lights will have only one light bulb. A fixture with multiple bulbs will veer into statement light territory, such as chandeliers, which are likewise suspended but a lot different in look and feel. Pendant lights are great for highlighting specific areas, such as the dining table or kitchen island. If you're looking to incorporate some of these types of lights in 2023, Jen Dallas recommends being mindful of the particular size you select. "Playing with scale is so much fun to add interest to a space," she explains.

Pendant lights are also a lot more versatile than you may have given them credit for. "Pendants are being used everywhere now, not just in the dining room," outlines Dallas. "They are used above a side table in the living room, bathroom vanity, or a bedside table. We will see pendants used where only table lamps once were." While an oversized light fixture may seem an odd choice if you're short on space, the suspended element is a game changer. In the examples Dallas shares, simply swapping a lamp with a pendant light immediately frees up surface area on your bedside table or sideboard. This can give you a ton more styling options and flexibility without sacrificing on style or illumination.

When you're thinking of your home's lighting, you might immediately consider all the indoor options and the mood you want to have inside certain rooms. Make sure you're including exterior lighting as well. "There are... so many wonderful outdoor lighting options now. People are lighting these spaces much like they light their interiors," says Jen Dallas. This can make a world of difference in transforming your backyard into an entertaining space that feels like an extension of your home — especially if you live in an area where you can comfortably use your backyard for many months of the year. It's yet another space where you can put your own stamp on the style, ensuring your entire home communicates your desired aesthetic inside and out.

There's nothing wrong with upgrading the wall-mounted fixtures placed along your home's exterior or stringing a few patio lights across the backyard, but don't be afraid to think outside the box with your exterior lighting. Just as outdoor furniture options have expanded and improved, so have our choices for outdoor lighting, as Dallas highlights. "There are table lamps, floor lamps, and pendants all fabricated to hold up in an outdoor environment. This makes it easy to create outdoor areas [that] feel more intimate and comfortable," she notes.

If you have a particular aesthetic that you love, whether you favor a minimalist look or a mid-century modern vibe, your light fixtures can absolutely express that style as well. After all, they do more than just illuminate — many fixtures serve as art pieces themselves, making a big style statement wherever they're installed. Those who have always had a soft spot for an art deco influence in their interiors are in luck for 2023, according to Jen Dallas' expertise on what's trending. "I love that the art deco style is back. It is my favorite," she gushes. "The... style of the '20s and '30s is already one I love to play with in my interiors."

You may be familiar with some of the hallmarks of this design aesthetic, from geometric shapes to opulent details and glamorous touches. How do these elements translate to lighting fixtures, though? According to Dallas, "the art deco era was about [using] and exploiting materials. There's been a lot of play with materials in recent years and I see 2023 no different." And while you may think of glamorous metallics and bold, rich hues when it comes to art deco interiors, within the realm of lighting, there's a much wider variety of materials that you might see. "Wood, metal, glass, and leather will all have a part in lighting this year," Dallas adds.

Any design choice in your home will be influenced by personal preference. Some value the sleek, clean lines of modern, minimalist light fixtures, while others like their lighting to have a bit more personality. If you fall into the latter camp, you may want to take a page from Jen Dallas' book and check out antique or vintage options, which she flags as trending for 2023. "We are always on the hunt for antique/vintage lighting that we can repurpose. Adding a vintage piece gives a layer to a room that nothing else can," she states. Remember, too, that what you're looking for is the fixture itself, not necessarily the functionality. Dallas goes on to suggest that it wouldn't be difficult to get a lamp you love rewired.

Those who are interested in incorporating individuality or eco-friendly touches in their space may also favor this trend in lighting. "There is nothing like finding a treasure that we can renovate and reuse, or creating something new out of an old piece we found on a shopping trip," says Dallas. "Repurposing is so much better for the environment, and using an antique light gives so much character to a new home — a win-win!" It may take a little longer to hunt down the perfect vintage fixture than it would to simply buy something new from a store, but the effort will be worth it in the end when you have a one-of-a-kind piece illuminating your space.