Lighting Designs From the Past to the Present: a Brief History of Style

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The main trends in light design at a glance: Get to know & understand the most important terms from the history of lamp design.

Lighting Designs From the Past to the Present: a Brief History of Style

From antique wall torches, medieval lanterns and classic chandeliers to the numerous design styles of the 20th century and the present day, which is characterised by innovative LED light fittings: lighting design encompasses a wealth of different styles. When choosing new lighting, it is advantageous to be able to classify the various products stylistically. To help you keep an overview, we explain the most important trends and terms.

Due to the immense variety of lamp types, light fitting types and design styles, there are many lights that cannot be assigned to a single trend. After the golden decades of design in the early and middle 20th century, when a systematic preoccupation with the 'science of design' first emerged in the course of modern industrial production, there are more and more successful designs that combine different styles. All the more so since the compact LED lamps virtually no longer set any limits for designers.

Lamp Design until Electrification

When does modernity begin? There are many opinions on this, but it is undisputed that electrification is an indisputable milestone. Traditionally, light sources were torches with an open fire, candles or oil lamps surrounded by a windbreak. In any case, the classics include candlesticks for the wall and opulent chandeliers. Outdoor wall lamps and street lamps were usually oil or gas lamps protected by an ornate metal body with transparent or stylised glass panes.

Country style © WorldWide/Shutterstock.com

Lighting Design: Country House Style and Other Traditions

Even today, many wall lights and garden lanterns recall the origins of night-time lighting. From the early days of lamp design comes the so-called country house style, which is characterised by floral motifs, cast-iron constructions and whitewashed glass. The name country house style is a reminder that wealthy aristocrats and townspeople from all over Europe used to relax in cosy country houses where they preferred comfortable lighting. In prestigious buildings such as castles, palaces and large town houses, the lighting was often designed to create an impressive sea of lights. Thus, the super-rich of the time tried to outdo each other with the opulence of their chandeliers adorned with crystal hangings, which are thus among the first designer pendant lights.

Bauhaus © Claudio Divizia/Shutterstock.com

Chandelier Design in the Early Modern Period

The 1920s saw the emergence of the Bauhaus movement in Germany, which sought to reflect the new zeitgeist of the mechanised world through completely new architecture and product design. Old styles such as baroque and classicism were radically questioned in order to emphasise the importance of technology. The motto of the Bauhaus movement is 'form follows function', which meant that functionality became the decisive element of design. Straight lines, expansive surfaces and ease of use came into focus, rather than striving for ultimate beauty with ornate embellishments etc.

Tecnolumen Wagenfeld 25 Table lamp matt nickel, transparent, clear, 1-light source

Tecnolumen Ariane Wall light stainless steel, 2-light sources

Tecnolumen Egyptian Eye Ground light black, 1-light source

Tiffany © milosljubicic/Shutterstock.com

Another significant movement of the early 20th century emerged in New York: Named after the company of its inventor, the world-famous Tiffany glass art is characterised by colourful glass panes joined together in more or less symmetrical patterns. Tiffany lamps offer a very atmospheric light glow and can become a highlight in the interior as a stylish accessory, for example as decorative designer table lamps. Tiffany lamps are also often seen in posh hotels.

Lighting Design after 1945

After the upheaval of the Second World War, a new era began that brought technology and consumption further to the fore. Telephones, radios, televisions, cars, aeroplanes and, last but not least, electric lighting, which was available everywhere, completely changed our lives. As more and more people now had electricity at their disposal and more money was also available for private consumer goods, the number of electric lamps sold also rose rapidly. With this development, the diversity of light fitting designs has also increased.

Modern classic or classic modern: the second half of the 20th century took lighting design to the next level. Characteristic features included fabric shades in every conceivable shape and colour. Gradually, unusually shaped luminaires also developed, which as design objects were intended to express an individual sense of style.

Industrial-Stil © fotogestoeber/Shutterstock.com

Industrial style © fotogestoeber/Shutterstock.com

In the 1980s, people became even more experimental, which is expressed, for example, by the industrial style: rusted metal surfaces simply have their very own charm. As a counterpart to the technological smoothness of many products from this period, the first vintage lamps were also created, deliberately featuring traces of use and imperfections.

Lololo Pendant Light brass, 1-light source

Koyoto Pendant Light glass 15 cm chrome, Smoke-coloured, 3-light sources

Koyoto Pendant Light glass 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30cm Amber, 5-light sources

Scandinavian design © AlexRoz/Shutterstock.com

Scandinavian and Italian Lighting Design

Significant influence on lighting design in the second half of the 20th century was exerted above all by the Scandinavian countries of Sweden and Denmark as well as Italy. Scandinavian lighting design is characterised by functional simplicity with precisely balanced proportions and the extensive use of natural raw materials such as wood. Often, the wood is kept in light colours so that the home appears bright and friendly. It is typical that the lights are primarily functional, but also impress with their successful design language. Another aspect is that many Scandinavian lights contribute to the cosiness of one's own home, as Scandinavians spend a lot of time within their own four walls due to the cold climate and the longer nights.

Italian design © dandesign86/Shutterstock.com

Italian designer lamps captivate above all with their extraordinarily appealing design language. It is often the small but subtle differences in detail that make Italian design something special in this respect. The perfectly shaped lamps appear fresh and yet are well thought out down to the last millimetre. Another characteristic of many Italian designer lamps is their willingness to experiment with form, colour and material.

The Present: Novel Forms and Stylistic Influences from all Cultures

In the early 21st century, light design is dominated by the switch to LED lamps. Since the light-emitting diodes are much smaller than all other lamps and can be arranged in almost any combination, light fixtures in entirely new shapes have become possible. A lampshade in the classical sense is often no longer necessary. There are hardly any restrictions on the scope of lighting designers, who are now free to express themselves in every respect.

For example, there are more and more lamps with organically flowing shapes, as known from nature. Breaks in symmetry, the combination of the most diverse materials and the use of novel materials - everything is possible because the compact LED lamps can stage everything as desired. Another trend in current lighting design is the influence of cultures from all over the world. In this way, beautiful light fixtures are created that combine state-of-the-art technology with traditional patterns and environmentally friendly materials.