Top Questions About Modern Lighting - Ideas & Advice
When you plan to decorate a room or a space, it’s easier to look over the lighting. However, it's an undeniable statement that a modern lamp or chandelier is essential for an excellent interior design. So if you plan to buy modern chandeliers online, you may need a few ideas for inspiration.
Especially when it comes to modern ceiling lamps, many are often confused between modern vs contemporary lighting due to their eerie similarities. If you feel the same, we understand! In the rest of the article, we describe both styles in great detail and answer all the questions you might be dying to ask.
Modern Vs. Contemporary Lighting – What’s the Difference?
When it comes to lighting designs, most people use the terms “modern” and “contemporary” almost interchangeably and incorrectly. However, these terms are quite different from one another. The main difference between modern and contemporary lighting is dependent mainly on the perspective or individual.
While both lighting styles may share some common elements, several elements also set them apart. Both contemporary and modern design incorporates minimalist elements, various materials, and clean, simple lines. As a general rule of thumb, the modern design is more static. In comparison, the contemporary design remains more dynamic.
The modern design mainly comprises solid colors, sharp angles, and intentional symmetry. Often characterized by a simple and clean look, modern design is also minimalistic and more era-specific. This style originated in the early twentieth century and peaked in popularity in 1950-1960. The furniture from this era featured wooden legs, backs, and embellishments.
The contemporary design encompasses all designs that match the current trends. As a result, light fixtures that feature different style combinations to create something unique and appealing will fall under this design. All contemporary designs may be influenced by modern styles, but modern is very era-specific and is only considered modern—not contemporary.
In contrast, contemporary design mainly uses shapes and patterns, curved lines, and unique forms. This type of design embraces change as if adding new life to its creations. So in simpler terms, contemporary design can also be seen as architectural. This design style was born in the 1970s and has remained ever-changing.
The contemporary design encompasses all designs that match the current trends. As a result, light fixtures that feature different style combinations to create something unique and appealing will fall under this design. All contemporary designs may be influenced by modern styles, but modern is very era-specific and is only considered modern—not contemporary.
What Makes a Lighting Fixture Modern?
When it comes to light fixtures, “modern” can have two distinct meanings. One meaning refers to a modern light that matches the aesthetics of a modern design concept. On the other hand, it may also refer to a light that employs cutting-edge lighting technologies like LED lamps, brightness and color adjustability, and other integrated intelligent functions.
From an aesthetic viewpoint, a modern light fixture is typically straightforward in shape, with bold, curved lines and bright, reflective materials such as chrome, glass, and polished nickel. These light fixtures will feature a futuristic or minimalistic look that can be pretty bold and striking. Then again, lights can be both technologically advanced and modern in design!
LED arrays have become smaller and come in various shapes compared to traditional incandescent lamps. As a result, the number of available lighting shapes and designs has significantly expanded. Thus, leading the way to a significant number of lights with slimmer and simpler styles that help to emphasize the minimalist and functional theme of modern décor.
How Can You Build a Modern Design Concept with Lighting?
If you plan to style a room or a space with a modern design concept, it’s best to aim for simplicity over anything. Clean, bold, and straight lines in furniture and lighting fixtures will help to emphasize the airy feel central to modern style. So try to go for ceiling lights, table lamps, floor lamps, or office lighting that match this look and feel.
In terms of colors, opt for simple hues. Colors such as black and white and other calming neutrals can create a soothing background and allow the bold accent colors to pop out. Lights made of materials like clear glass, polished nickel, and chrome add the touch of a futuristic feel that is central to the modern design.
Then again, don’t forget the natural wood tones that can add the right amount of warmth and relaxing feel to this subtle aesthetic. To create the perfect modern aesthetic, remember to keep the space free of any clutters and trim everything down to only the bare essentials. Keep all the surfaces clean and move anything with colorful knick-knacks to another room.
How to Add a Touch of Modern Lighting to Your Space?
Follow the following tips and tricks to choose the right modern lighting accessories and make the most of what you already own for the perfect modern aesthetic effect for your home –
1. Make Use of Track Lighting
Track lighting is a more modern and refined version of string lighting. It is ideal for hallways and large rooms because it provides continuous lighting with little gap shadows. These lights are available in almost any style and material. Due to its practical design, it highly complements modern and minimalistic home décor.
The best part about this light is that you can highlight certain features of your home décor using these lights. So you can add a touch of modern aesthetic to any furniture, sculptures, paintings, or pictures you wish to highlight using track lighting.
2. Add a Touch of Modern Aesthetics with Wall Sconces
When it comes to modern lighting, wall sconces are the ideal example. These lighting sconces can be of any size or shape you want. But the most popular sconce shapes would include ovals, circles, and squares.
Wall sconces look minimalistic and appealing. So they can be the perfect addition to any modern concept room. These lighting fixtures work great on both ceilings and walls. A great perk you enjoy from these lightings is that you can turn them into a do-it-yourself project with only a few bulbs, metal sheets, and a good pair of scissors.
3. Improvise with Mirrors and Glasses
If you are on a tight budget, a simple trick is improvising. One idea can be to arrange whole or fragmented mirror pieces in well-defined shapes around wall light fixtures.
The mirror pieces help reflect light for clarity while also providing the geometry that characterizes modern lighting. Another idea is to use glass jars or bottles as lampshades or chandeliers to achieve a modern lighting aesthetic at a low cost.
4. Go Monochrome!
If you want a more edgy and modern look for your room, nothing beats pairing any modern lighting with a monochromatic theme. Monochrome is the easiest way to achieve a perfectly modern and stylish look for any space you want.
To achieve this look, you need to keep all the furniture, walls, clothes, or anything else in the room in line with a single color palette theme. This monochromatic combo gives the space the perfect sophisticated feel and looks that no other combo may ever achieve.
5. Modernize a Floor or a Lamp with a New Lamp Shade
Be it a table lamp or a floor lamp, its appearance depends on getting the correct lampshade. Lampshades will frequently show signs of old age or wear much before the light. So if you find your lamps looking dull or bland, consider changing the shade. Simply changing the shade can bring new life to old light fixtures.
Color, shape, and fabric all impact the style of a lampshade. So if you find out that your lights need restyling, you can experiment with all three elements. This will help you to achieve the look and style you desire. Look for shades with geometric shapes and straight lines for modern rooms. Such as square and rectangular shades or cylinder and drum shades.
Conclusion
If you plan to shop for modern ceiling lamps or buy modern chandeliers online, you may have noticed many people’s confusion over modern vs contemporary lighting. This confusing concept may give way to many other questions about modern lighting.
We answer any questions you may have about them in this article to help clear your confusion. Thanks for reading!
