Let There Be Light

Lighting is an essential aspect of all homes. It plays a major role in manipulating the atmosphere by placement angles and varied fixtures. Lights are an integral aspect of home décor that can affect the mood and ambience of the room.

Contemporary Cues          
Geometric designs are appearing to be a seamless fit for modern and contemporary interiors. A creative repetition of patterns leads to an intricate design that has a spellbinding effect. Matte brass and gold fixtures with a rustic finish are going to be particularly popular next year. A tinge of gold is enough to do the magic; whether you incorporate brass accents or gold lighting, the mellow and cosy lighting creates a timeless appeal.
“Our design mantra is inspired by contemporary and global aesthetics when it comes to lighting. We curate a range of global designs that fits well in modern Indian homes and keeps up with the aesthetic. Lighting fixtures created with an amalgamation of materials work well with modern, industrial, mid-century and traditional décor. An absolute best way to practically add a tinge of warm glow and an everlasting beauty that enlivens the moments spent with your loved ones,” says Gunjan Gupta, co-founder, It’s All About Home (IAAH).

Lighting is ever evolving with new trends emerging daily. A popular trend is the play on essential shapes to easily adapt to the surroundings. Another trend is the reflection of natural light synchronised with the lighting design. “We are noticing more structural forms in statement lights that highlight the complexity and orientation to detail in lighting.  Lighting, beyond being purely functional, has become a statement piece and an art form,” says Rishad Khergamwala, director – developments, MAIA Estates.
The growing trend of minimalism will show through portable wireless lights that can be seen in the form of landscape lights for balconies and gardens, whereas, in interiors, as portable lighting. Floor lamps with tripod legs, or an unexpected angle, grew in popularity last year and are expected to increase in the years to come. Architectural floor lamps command attention and enhance the style of every room, and since lighting is becoming more decorative, architectural fixtures and lamps can be the statement pieces in your room’s overall design.

Light Mix
The kind of lighting required completely depends on the type of project and the mood one is trying to create. Fixtures like chandeliers and wall lights are classically used to aesthetically enhance the space. If chosen thoughtfully, one can incorporate a plethora of lighting in the home that can surely serve a purpose. Broadly categorised into ambient lighting, task lighting, and indirect lighting, you can combine and create effective lighting.
Ambient lighting is the key foundation of illumination in any room. “It helps you create a mood for certain rooms and adds depth in any space. It induces a sheer glow of warmth and affinity and transforms those bleak spaces of your home into exotic ones. By using basic light fixtures like chandelier and pendant lights, one can achieve an excellent lighting plan, a playful use of textures, varied heights and sizes can create an everlasting ambience that gives your space a sleek and classy look,” says Gupta.

Task lighting is curated with a vision to help you perform specific goals – studying, reading or applying makeup. By nature, these lights have stronger wattage that provides a sharp contrast and a concentrated lighting channelised in a specific direction. The human body behaves differently to the changing lighting intensity and the colour temperature. Daylight encourages interest or enthusiasm in us and influences our mood.
“Brands have lighting solutions that integrate different moods and the task people are performing, and integrating the Human Centric Lighting (HCL) approach as part of the solution. HCL products are equipped with technology that controls variable colour temperature and light intensity, thereby creating the desired ambience and scene compatible with the body clock,” says Jayanth Jain, MD and CEO, GM Modular.

Tech Talk
The recent advancement in LED technology has revolutionised interior lighting with its flexibility and energy efficiency. Modern light fixtures are not only functional, but are also a part of the overall design. With minimalism in mind, light fixtures are preferred with clean forms. Automation technology adds another layer of luxury in the lighting space. It allows the user to control lights and other electronics with a simple tap or even with their voice.

“Lights can be used as a décor element on multiple occasions. A tabletop light fixture can be used to illuminate a relatively dark corner or to highlight a piece of furniture, and recessed lighting can be used to create a soft sheen and enhance the elegance of the space. Lights can also be used to draw attention to other décor elements such as sculptures and framed art. Today, the sky’s the limit with decorative lighting. It all depends on what kind of space it is used in and what is the mood being created,” says Hardesh Chawla, founder, Essentia Environments.
Technology applied to lighting is evolving to support the environment. “In the lighting sector, the growing inclination for natural ones and the attention to sustainability, are a design challenge. I see more and more lamps designed with shapes and technologies that aim at a controlled consumption of light, that we could say is ‘on demand’, through sensors that emit the light source only when needed,” says Eleonore Cavalli, art director, Visionnaire.

Designs on Décor
While designing a home, it is imperative to keep in mind the lighting along with the layout. “Dark corners can be transformed with the right light fixtures; common spaces can be made warm and appealing too. An essential part of home décor, lighting balances the environment and maintains the harmony of the space,” says Khergamwala.
As lighting is continuously evolving, designers are working with global lighting specialists to stay abreast with the advancements in this integral design aspect. Natural materials like rattan and wicker, jute, wood, burlap, glass, and metal, are going to gain much more popularity. Lamps made with natural materials that include straight lines or geometric forms signify a return to nature, and work well with different design styles, from contemporary to traditional.

Ruchi Mishra, business head – design and interiors, New Modern Buildwell, says, “Along with the growth of lighting technologies, the possibilities in the production of sculptural lighting elements also grow. Shapes can range from clouds and bubbles to artistic images. Matte black lighting is luxurious, natural and bold, and blends seamlessly with modern colour schemes, or gives a dramatic contrast with white and grey interiors. It is edgy, chic, and works with nearly every palette.”

Trend Talk
Layered lighting is a key trend being adopted by interior designers across the globe, as it gives that ‘complete’ look,  creating the maximum impact for accentuating spaces in terms of both aesthetics and functionality, while allowing for the prudent use of energy.

“Technology is playing an increasingly critical role in luxury lighting. With the advent of technological innovations, the lighting industry is also evolving towards HCL. The need for human-centric lighting, which influences people’s circadian rhythms and mood, is being met by solutions like smart lighting, tenability, and dimmability. Tisva’s increased focus is on dimmers that allow you to play with the intensity of light, colour changing LEDs, yellow light with the right warmth,” says Vikas Gandhi, senior VP and business head – lighting and premium fans, Tisva.

Smart lighting is an advanced way to illuminate one’s home. Smart LED bulbs contain software that lets one connect to an app, smart home assistant, or other smart accessories so one can automate lights or control them remotely, eliminating the need for traditional wall switches. Vishal Singh, founder & managing director, Vizion Lighting, says, “LED lights offer flexibility in light colour, temperature, intensity, distribution, and timing to mimic natural light. A tunable LED fixture allows for precisely this by providing an adjustable cool light of 5,300 K to increase productivity and a warm light of 3,000 K to encourage resting and healing.”

Smart Choice
For both consumer and B2B segments, smart lighting is one of the biggest upcoming trends. According to the report ‘Smart Lighting Market in India 2019’ by Netscribes (India), the smart lighting industry in India was valued at Rs 7.63 billion in 2018 and is expected to reach Rs 80.56 billion by 2024, growing at a CAGR of ~48.87% during the forecast period.

“Smart lighting consists of energy-efficient LED drivers, advanced control algorithms, miniaturised digital lighting sensors, and standardised communication interfaces that together help to drive convenience, ergonomics, sustainability, and energy efficiency. Additionally, due to the ongoing pandemic, there is an uptake in demand for contactless technologies such as smart lighting that can help lessen the need to touch switchboards, etc., hence, helping us to safeguard ourselves from the threat of the virus,” says Prag Bhatnagar, senior vice president, Havells India.
So, are you ready to give your home a ‘light’ makeover?