Transformed Illumination: 10 Creative Scandinavian Lighting Methods to Give Your Space a Sculptural Appeal
In the bustling city of Copenhagen, the annual 3daysofdesign event showcased the latest trends in Scandinavian lighting, with a focus on lighting as sculptural art, bold use of wall lights, and material innovation.
Brands like Muuto encouraged viewers to think of lighting fixtures not just as functional objects but as focal sculptural pieces in a room. This shift reflects a broader trend of lighting serving a dual purpose—both illumination and artistic statement, whether switched on or off.
Designers Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead from 2LG Studio highlighted the impact of wall lights used asymmetrically and on a large scale, creating striking visual accents that go beyond functionality.
Exhibitions such as Optical Flow by Taiwanese gallery Fanzi and the Material Matters show revealed innovative uses of materials in lighting design. Examples include pendant lights employing conductive stainless-steel wires that appear to float LED tubes mid-air, and 3D-printed lampshades with an optical lightness that contrasts their tangible materiality.
Newer brands like Formarkivet made a strong impression by introducing tactile, bold designs such as the warped Aglow table lamps and chunky Cubio tables, representing a fresh voice within the Scandinavian lighting and furniture scene.
In the world of Scandinavian bathrooms, independently-controlled wall light fixtures around a mirror can provide more flattering lighting, like in The Darling guest house in Copenhagen where Louis Poulsen lights are used.
Sofie Christensen Egelund, co-owner and concept director of Vipp, explained that their floor lamp features an adjustable arm for multitasking and serving as focused lighting when needed. The Norm Architects and Audo Copenhagen wall light design, originating from a trip to Japan, combines the look with Scandinavian principles, making it a versatile design.
Andrew Griffiths, founder of A New Day Design Studio, suggested working with at least three sources of light - ambient, task, and accent - to achieve balance in a lighting scheme. Kashi Shikunova suggests suspending pendants low over dining tables for creating a sense of proportional balance.
The Norm Architects and Audo Copenhagen wall light was designed with a small size and linen shade for beautiful light diffusion. In The Darling's bathrooms, Ring Crown wall fixtures from Louis Poulsen are used for their beauty and functionality, providing a warm, atmospheric glow with dimmers for adjustable mood lighting.
Melissa Hutley from Hutley & Humm believes cordless, rechargeable lamps are a total game changer for modern living. Carina Raymond, founder of Studio Raymond, appreciates Scandinavian lighting's ability to blend softness with architectural intent. She favours HAY's Matin lamp for its traditional pleated shade and modern edge.
&Tradition's living room lighting scheme is a wonderful example of how Scandinavian lighting ideas can create atmosphere by layering different light fixtures. Tollgard Studio's Danish Summer House project used the Flowerpot Lamp, designed by Verner Panton, for its timeless design and sculptural softness, aiming to create a seamless fusion of inside and outside.
The iconic Artichoke lamp from Louis Poulsen, recommended by Kashi Shikunova, creates a striking focal point. The Multi-Lite lamp by GUBI, with its sculptural design, is a popular choice for modern Scandinavian lighting ideas.
Scandinavian lighting ideas are popular for updating home lighting schemes, with cities like Stockholm, Oslo, and Copenhagen being key sources. This year’s 3daysofdesign highlighted Scandinavian lighting blending timeless minimalism with daring, artistic innovation and cutting-edge materials, continuing the region's legacy of functional yet aesthetically striking design.
- The shift in Scandinavian lighting trends includes the view of lighting fixtures as sculptural pieces, serving as both illumination and artistic statement.
- Designers like Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead emphasized the visual impact of large-scale, asymmetrical wall lights.
- Innovative uses of materials showcased at exhibitions, such as conductive stainless-steel wires for pendant lights, demonstrate material innovation in the field of lighting design.
- The Aglow table lamps and Cubio tables by Formarkivet represent a fresh voice in Scandinavian lighting and furniture design with their tactile and bold designs.
- Independently-controlled wall light fixtures around a mirror can provide more flattering lighting in Scandinavian bathrooms, as seen in The Darling guest house in Copenhagen.
- Sofie Christensen Egelund highlights the versatility of Vipp's floor lamp, featuring an adjustable arm for focused lighting when needed.
- Andrew Griffiths advises using at least three sources of light - ambient, task, and accent - to achieve balance in a lighting scheme.
- The Norm Architects and Audo Copenhagen wall light, designed with a small size and linen shade, provides beautiful light diffusion and blends softness with Scandinavian principles.
- Carina Raymond appreciates Scandinavian lighting's ability to combine softness with architectural intent and favors HAY's Matin lamp for its traditional pleated shade and modern edge.
