Lights as luxury: How to switch on the right fixtures at your home

Whether it’s a poet waxing lyrical about the sun’s rays, a scientist describing the properties of light waves, or a spiritual leader using light as a metaphor for enlightenment, nobody can dispute the power of light. Get the best lighting solutions at home to make your own style statement

Heard about Northern Lights and how it spurs tourism and even ignites emotions. Or the recent Vivid Sydney Light Walk, with thirty light installations and 3D projections where festival goers also witnessed a 40km stretch of rainbow lasers emanating from the Sydney Tower.

Thoughtful lighting plays a vital role and impacts your mood, your emotions and even your energy levels. Research proves that we spend more time indoors rather than outdoors and hence lighting impacts how everything else looks – from wall colour and furniture to rugs. It is essential to understand proper utilisation and placement of lighting, for light can change the mood of a home and transport emotions as nothing else can.

The Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi has some 340 rooms spread over four floors. As many as 628 light fittings illuminate the building and highlight its elegance. Your home is smaller but lights can make it as elegant as that palace.

Lights shape how we feel.  According to Dr Varun Gupta, Delhi based physician, “Lights boost the production of serotonin, the hormone of happiness, and melatonin, which governs our sleep and wake cycles. When light exposure decreases, cortisol levels, the stress hormone, fluctuate, leading to drowsiness.”

The Indian lighting market is expected to experience significant growth in 2024. The market size, valued at approximately USD 3.79 billion in 2023, is projected to reach around USD 8.79 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8% from 2024 to 2032, as per estimates by Mordor Intelligence. This growth is largely driven by government initiatives, technological advancements, and increasing consumer awareness about energy efficiency and sustainability. Key market players like Signify N.V., Wipro Enterprises Limited, Bajaj Electricals Ltd, and Havells India Ltd are actively contributing to the market’s expansion through product innovations.

Some of the key brands include Jaquar Lighting offers an array of products, from elegant chandeliers to contemporary LED fixtures, catering to various tastes and preferences. Fos Lighting combines traditional Indian craftsmanship with modern design elements, and their product range includes chandeliers, pendant lights, wall sconces, and outdoor lighting, all of which add a touch of luxury to residential spaces. Havells offers a wide range of luxury lighting options, from stylish ceiling lights to elegant chandeliers. Tisva brand focuses on both functionality and design, and includes decorative chandeliers, pendant lights, and wall lights. The Purple Turtles is an Indian brand that specializes in handcrafted lighting and home decor products. Their product range includes hanging lights, floor lamps, and table lamps, each piece exuding a sense of luxury and uniqueness. White Teak Company is a luxury lighting brand that offers a wide array of decorative lighting solutions. The brand is known for its stylish and elegant designs, which include chandeliers, pendant lights, wall sconces, and floor lamps. Luxaire specializes in designer ceiling fans and lighting solutions and their range includes ceiling fans with integrated lighting and standalone light fixtures. Philips Hue, part of the global lighting giant Philips, offers smart lighting solutions that bring a touch of luxury and modernity to Indian homes. With the advent of smart home technology, luxury lighting in India has taken a leap into the future.

Smart lighting systems, which can be controlled via smartphones or voice assistants, offer unparalleled convenience and flexibility. Innovative lighting systems are crucial in elevating comfort, convenience, and design aesthetics in luxury homes. The lighting system has to be strategically planned to enhance relaxation and complement the overall design. One can integrate sensor-based lighting systems and touch panels in homes. These systems offer intuitive control over lighting, thermostats, and curtain operations, ensuring the inhabitants feel at ease and efficient in their homes. These systems allow homeowners to adjust the brightness, color, and ambiance of their lighting to suit different moods and occasions. The integration of smart technology with luxury lighting not only enhances the functionality of the fixtures but also adds a layer of sophistication to modern Indian homes. According to Sumit Joshi, CEO & MD – Signify, Greater India, “Today there is technology available that can mimic the sun and the circadian rhythm of humans. If you have a light which knows this and adapts the colour, intensity and temperature accordingly there is improved circadian rhythm which helps regulate sleep-wake cycles, promotes positive mood, reduces stress and creates a healthier and more engaging indoor environment. A simple Phillips smart WIFI lighting solution starts with a bulb just for Rs 400 with as many options as 16 billion colours.”

Joshi adds that they have fifty shades of white. Earlier there was just yellow and white light- while white light makes you active, and activates hormones it is bad during night as it does not induce sleep and makes your body more active. In the evening you should have yellow light as our body adapts to the sun and yellow light helps you sleep better. Today there are options available between white and yellow light based on circadian rhythm.

Indian luxury lighting brands are characterized by rich cultural heritage and intricate craftsmanship. Says Advaita Sharma, a 40-year-old Mumbai based homemaker, “I like to decorate my home in a way that honours heritage while embracing contemporary style. My home is full of handcrafted brass lamps, intricately carved wooden fixtures, and crystal chandeliers – all of which combine cultural motifs with modern aesthetics.”

Luxury lighting in India often marries traditional elements with contemporary design, creating pieces that are both timeless and trendy. Take the case of Klove, a Delhi based luxury design studio. Says Shreya Menon, Sales and Marketing consultant from Klove studio, “Our chandeliers can take up to three months in production. We have both modern, classical and semi-classical chandeliers, and a limited edition in totems. Totem and the Wishing Tree would be our bestsellers from the premium category.” She adds that while most people had to go to Italy to source blown glass, they have their own manufacturing unit in India itself, where hand blown glass work is done by highly experienced local artisans.

One of the most significant trends in luxury lighting is customization. Homeowners are increasingly seeking bespoke lighting solutions that cater to their unique tastes and preferences. Ahmedabad based designer Radhika Sanghavi makes handmade lights which she calls ‘lighting sculptures’ with a painstaking tedious process. Says Sanghavi, “Statement lights are like jewellery pieces every luxury home needs. My creations are sculptures made of wood, reed and paper. So, cleaning and maintaining is just as easy as is with any other furniture. My creation is an art installation with a lighting option. The people who come to me are looking for artistic options and not really lighting solutions. Everything I do, I create is one of a kind. Those measurements, that airiness, every piece is different, is customized. There is no in-stock, ready to sell creation. If I have to give a number then it starts from Rs 50,000 onwards. These pieces are expensive because of how exclusive and one of a kind they are. After looking at the space, I draft the design and then source the wood and the rest of the material.

How does one plan lighting for home? Says Radhika Thirani, Creative Lead, Vinciago by Livspace, an interior design and renovation services company, “When planning lighting fixtures and solutions at home, consider both functionality and aesthetic appeal. Understand the purpose of each room to tailor the lighting effectively. Kitchens and workspaces need bright, task-oriented lighting, whereas bedrooms and living rooms benefit from softer, ambient lighting. Incorporate layering by using different types of lighting—ambient, task, and accent—to add depth and functionality. This approach allows for lighting adjustments based on activities and moods. Divide rooms into zones and plan lighting, accordingly, ensuring distinct lighting for seating areas, reading corners, and artwork displays. Install dimmer switches where possible to adjust light intensity according to time of day and mood. Ensure that lighting fixture sizes and placements are proportionate to room dimensions and furniture. Oversized or undersized fixtures can disrupt spatial balance. Maximize natural light sources, positioning artificial lighting to complement rather than compete with natural light. This strategic approach to lighting design not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your home but also contributes to a more functional and mood-enhancing living space.”

The right lighting can enhance your environment, making experiences more pleasant and productive. Yellow light during the day can make you feel lethargic while white light in the night will not give you good sleep. Says Vineeta Singhania Sharma, Founder Partner & Principal Architect, Confluence, a Delhi based design firm- “Different coloured lights evoke various emotions: blue is calming, green promotes tranquillity, and red or orange radiates warmth and energy. Dim light generates intimacy and relaxation, perfect for unwinding before bedtime or during quiet moments. Adjustable lighting offers the flexibility to customize brightness and color, creating diverse moods throughout the day.” A luxury home is defined by ambient lighting systems that provide a soothing atmosphere in every space. Says Confluence’s Vineeta Sharma- “Solutions like accent lighting highlight art and architectural features, while task lighting is essential in kitchens and workspaces. Intelligent lighting systems allow homeowners to adjust the intensity and colour temperature to suit different times of day and activities, ensuring a modern, luxurious living experience.”

Minimalism is also a design aesthetic which is finding favour with a lot of modern customers. Characterized by clean lines, geometric shapes, and a focus on warm diffused light, this style of lighting that originated in Scandinavia is growing in popularity. Says a spokesperson from the Design team of Orange Tree, a Jodhpur based furniture and lights manufacturer and retailer, “Our design approach is rooted in simplicity and minimalism, carefully crafting each piece to complement its intended space. We skilfully work with diverse materials like metal, wood, glass, and natural cords to bring our vision to life. Our commitment to affordability means our products are accessible to all, priced between Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 21,000. For over 10 years, we’ve been dedicated to illuminating spaces with our extensive range of lighting solutions – from humble table lamps to grand chandeliers.”

PRICE CHART

Which are some of the best hi-end lighting brands for your home? The table below enlists luxury lighting brands along with price range of chandeliers and light pendants across each of them