A few weeks ago, Keri and Natasha traveled to the Dallas Market Center in Texas for the Lightovation 2024 show. This event brings brands, designers, and retailers from across the lighting industry all together in one place. Our team was able to see new product launches in person and browse entire collections from our brands. While the lighting showroom at Village Home Stores is an award-winning and inspired space, we can only show a fraction of what we offer in our own storefront. Traveling to the market gives Keri and Natasha a chance to see the shapes, finishes, and scale of light fixtures to better assist our customers back home in the Quad Cities area. There were a lot of new and exciting things to see.
Some new displays are already on order and headed their way to our showroom. While they attended the market, Keri and Natasha also snapped a few photos for us while they were browsing. Here are ten home lighting trends that stood out to our team at the Lightovation 2024 market:
Partly Cloudy
One trend in the forecast: partly-cloudy shades. Updates of the layers of ice building up back home had this trend already on our team’s radar. Keri and Natasha spotted so many fixtures with glass or molded acrylics that weren’t clear OR fully frosted. Instead, the shades found themselves filtering light someplace in between. Check out the dreamy linear “Cloud Break” light (above) from the Minka Lighting showroom.
A few of the shades were reminiscent of the alabaster ones we saw a lot of in ’90s home lighting. A new approach this year is that many were in brighter white colors instead of the warmer, amber look of years past. We think the frosted-to-clear look of the “Lennon” pendants (above on right) is a playful shape and a more modern take on the partly-cloudy trend. They almost look like sweet little ghosts floating.
Shades also glowed with textures of swirls and stamped patterns. Many of the new-traditional take on chandeliers included hanging elements that seemed to be embossed or pressed with textures or frosted patterns. A great example of this look is the “Darcia” series (above) from our Hudson Valley Lighting line.
White Out Conditions
With all the snow that we did get in the Quad Cities area this January, we don’t think anyone wants to hear the phrase “white out conditions” unless it is necessary. We can confirm that even in Dallas, there was a major white out taking place in a lot of vendor displays.
Solid white shades and glass shades were everywhere. Our team spotted so many semi-opaque milk glass shades and fixtures. This bright milky white glass looks so amazing when lit. The “Addis” series (above) is available in many glass finishes, including a white option.
There were many all-white fixtures that included the chains, cords, rods, and other hardware in a matte or glossy white color to match the shade. There were still a lot of combination finishes offered with white shades. Brushed brass, matte black, and polished chrome all pair well with a white shade. Shown above (on the left) is the “Reese” series from Capital Lighting, with white shades that can be directed up or down. See them in action here on our Instagram page. Shown above (on the right) is a ‘Sheffield” lantern in a combination brass and white finish.
Woven Whites
Our team also spotted white finishes weaving into other categories of lighting at show. Woven natural shades continue to be a large category in pendants for indoor and outdoor spaces. Keri and Natasha saw a lot of woven fixtures on display.
Many of the woven lighting series also included an all-white option or a combination of white and natural fibers for the shades. Shown above (on the left) is an all-white “Sophie” light by Elk Home, and (on the right) is Crystorama’s “Zanzibar” combination. Love this coastal look and want to bring the indoors outdoors? Ask to see “wet-rated” woven lighting options for your outdoor living spaces.
While woven woods and natural shades continued to trend this year, we also saw more caning and rattan-style weaves for the shades. A great example of that weave style and the white trend is the “Coastal Breeze” series shown above from our Elk Home line.
Bent Visor Shades
Shades also took some new shapes at show this year. This trend is a tip (or a bend) of the sunhat to the “Coastal Grandmother” aesthetic that continues to influence new traditional styles and cottage/coastal styles. Lighting shades look like the bended from bill of a cap directing light up or down. Shown above (on the left) is the ET2 “Marsh” series and (on the right) Kichler’s “Arcus” chandelier. See more in this video showcasing the visor bend trend:
You can see how this curved shade shape can lean into many styles of lighting for your home. We loved the metal and woven shades that used this bonnet curve.
Shell Yes
Speaking of the beach, were shells spotted in the showrooms? Shell yes, they were! Take your coastal style to a whole new level with lighting that incorporates shells. This “Minka” series (below) just about swept us away!
There is something so magical about how a shell can be backlit and glow so unique. Many fixtures included real shell textures (even a coconut shell in one series), and some just mimicked the shape and textures of shells or fish scales. Shown below (on the left) is the “Cartegena” series from Corbett Lighting and (on the right) The “Hush Pendant by Elk Home.
Reeded, Fluted, and Pleated Shades
Keri and Natasha also saw a lot of reeded, pleated, and folded textures for shades and fixture shapes. We have noticed more reeded fluted woods in our cabinetry department, and some lighting options are following suit. Shown below (on the right) is the “Donnovan” series from our Capital Lighting line with black and wood shade options that include a peek-a-boo interior finish.
Reeded, linear ribbed glass shades were shown in many styles. This texture of glass looks great on cabinetry and furniture as well and adds a sophisticated and modern look. One of the exciting and playful takes on this texture was when it was added used as the shade glass texture on the “Alice” pendants (above on the left) in the Quorum booth. The Alice lights are the familiar Midcentury-Modern shape of a bullet planter. The transparent and textured ribbed glass option looks great.
Linear textures can also be celebrated in folds and pleats. The “Martine” uplight from our Kuzco line (shown above) encases and directs the light up in the umbrella shape. This pleated texture for a shade naturally creates an interesting edge. That edge becomes a soft scalloped edge, which happens to be another trend our team saw a lot of.
Scalloped Edges
Scalloped edges are a trend that we are seeing spill into many home décor categories and even trim and moldings for some spaces. Check out this article on Apartment Therapy that showcases ways to decorate with scalloped edges.
The two pendants above marry the woven wood trend with scalloped edges. On the left is the “Aaliyah” from Mitzi, and on the right is “Sonoma” from Troy Lighting
Starbursts, Sputniks, and Spheres
Another shape trending in the market booths were starbursts, Sputniks, and spheres. Try saying that trend ten times fast. In place of linear planes or single shapes, these fixtures seem to take shape from the center out. This icy look from Minka’s Metropolitan line (below) looks like it belongs in Elsa’s castle from Frozen.
Sometimes, that starburst shape fills out to form a “Sputnik” sphere. Keri and Natasha saw all kinds of supernovas hanging, including these two beauties.
This glamourous option from our ELK line above (on the left) blends brass and crystals, and a floral burst of beauty (on the right) from Corbett is named “Hygea.”
Space race? More like a race to your space! Take home this trend for one spark of style or a full display of fireworks. The “Sirius” series from Kuzco (above) forms symmetrical starbursts of LED light and comes available in many finishes.
Clusters
While starbursts and Sputnik shapes are rooted in MCM lighting history, our team also saw shades grouped together. This trend made it seem like a finished fixture was gathered or cinched together as a last step to become a bouquet of shades.
Shown above (on the left) is a smokey Kyoto cluster from Corbett Lighting, and above (on the right) is “Bronson” from our Hudson Valley line.
Beaded Strands
Glowing strands of beaded light were spotted in many of our vendor’s showrooms. Strands of beaded crystals and spheres are expected in traditional chandeliers, but we saw many new, fresh takes on the concept, including options that could work well in contemporary or modern designed spaces. The LED ropes drape and glow in the Artcraft booth (below on the left), and the strands of frosted beads stack and swag on a “Celeste” chandelier in the Corbett Lighting booth (below on the right).
This show is our chance for the team to get hands-on looks at the products and finishes. Because lighting is such a dimensional and transformative element to a well-designed space, video is also a great way to shop your options. Check out this video showcasing the trendy take on jewelry from our TikTok page.
Imagine this trend in your own space! Ask a lighting expert at Village to help stack up some jewelry for you.
Shop Home Lighting Trends at Village Home Stores
Ready to customize your home to YOUR tastes with lighting? One light, or a whole home of lighting, the Village Home Stores team is here to help you shop. We will work with you to find the best options for your space and your budget. Shop our options online with us here on the website. Fire up the webchat for help, or make an appointment to shop in our award-winning showroom in beautiful downtown Geneseo, Illinois. You can find us at 105 S State Geneseo, IL 61254 or phone us at (309) 944-1344 M-F 9 am - 5 pm and Saturdays from 9 am-noon. If you are building a new home in or around the Quad Cities area, be sure to connect with us to learn more about our FREE lighting bundle program. You can earn thousands of dollars in lighting credit for your new home when you shop with us in multiple departments. Learn more here on our website, and be sure to reach out with any questions you may have about this program.