Lighting Is Getting Louder as Interior Designers Lean Into Maximalism

First, it was daring wallpaper and then came layers of texture and curated collections of quirky objects. In the latest iteration of maximalist design—by which bolder is better—statement lighting is taking hold.

“A statement light fixture is more than just illumination,” said Andrew Bowen, a partner and head of staging at the Manhattan-based interior design firm Ash. “It’s an experience and can even be a work of art. A carefully chosen piece instantly becomes the focal point of any room, adding sophistication and intrigue.”

Bowen has the view that lighting has long been overlooked as a design element in favor of seating or tables when, in fact, it’s a defining element of every space. 

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“Carefully placed, scaled and considered light fixtures literally set the tone of a room,” he said. “By way of providing illumination, these fixtures serve to bring every other piece to life while simultaneously being sculptural elements in their own right.”

In a nod to Bowen’s point, examples of statement lighting are increasingly prevalent in high-end homes and real estate developments, including a unit he staged at 393 West End Ave. in Manhattan, and interior designers report that clients are showing more interest in bringing it into their homes.

At St. Regis Residences Miami, for one, the architecture and interior firm Rockwell Group sought to create timeless interior spaces that are modern but account for the natural phenomena of the sea, according to its studio leader Greg Keffer, who led the project. With this purpose in mind, he chose an oversized chandelier with frosted glass spheres as the centerpiece for the project’s sales center.

“We specified the fixture because it creates drama and helps to center the living room space,” Keffer said. “We looked to the ocean and waves as inspiration for the design of the overall St. Regis project, and we liked that this has a subtle visual reference to sea pearls and organic clusters found in nature.”

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Keffer added that the right lighting can create a memorable encounter for any space without being overwhelming.

In another example, interior designer Manuella Moreira in Los Angeles said that she aims to use lighting in her projects that’s functional yet a conversation piece. In a recent job for a home in the city, she sourced a light fixture to hang above the nightstand in the primary suite with two interplaying discs—one with a chrome finish and the other emitting the actual light. 

“I love mixing finishes and playing with scale because they can add personality and dimension to a space,” Moreira said.

Her client, Ashley Kelley, of West Hollywood, said that she was thrilled with the result, as the discs contrast the room’s otherwise linear, symmetrical architecture.

“Our objective was to pay homage to the existing structure while infusing a distinctive character into the room,” she said. “The light fixture Manuela found creates a captivating juxtaposition with the room’s straight architectural lines.”

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The Malibu-based co-founders of the firm On Pointe Design, meanwhile, incorporated standout lighting in multiple rooms on a recent job where they redecorated a sustainable residence in Malibu called Zero Two.

As a start, the modern Hawaiian-inspired estate features an ensemble of three black metal chandeliers in the great room. 

“Not only do they accentuate the soaring vaulted ceiling, but with the room’s pocket doors open, they act as mobiles swaying ever so subtly in the Pacific Ocean breeze,” said Coleman, speaking to the pieces.

The home’s primary suite has a large ring fixture that’s intended to draw the eye upward and act as a counterpart to the room’s fireplace and contemporary furniture, she said. Also, the guest house features a multi-arm chandelier that enhances the ceiling’s height and the room’s expansive space.

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“The incorporation of molten glass in the design yields a dazzling effect,” she said.

Homeowners are gravitating toward statement lighting without the help of designers. Illene Gotts, a lawyer in New York, is a glass collector and used a multicolored glass chandelier by the Murano, Italy artist Lucio Bubacco as the central light fixture in her living room at residence at her apartment in the luxury West Side development 200 Amsterdam. The piece depicts figurines from Venice’s Carnival such as dancers and gondoliers. 

“The chandelier is fun and makes me happy,” she said. “It’s also a conversation piece for anyone who walks in.”