Lighting can make or break a home, yet it is often one of the last elements homeowners consider. Poorly chosen fixtures can make spaces feel cluttered or dull, while well-designed lighting elevates rooms, highlights textures, and creates mood. In 2025, residential lighting is evolving rapidly, combining style, function, and smart technology. Many homeowners struggle to balance aesthetics with practicality, especially when integrating lighting seamlessly into modern architecture. Choosing the right fixture requires understanding how light interacts with surfaces, room sizes, and color palettes.
Ferguson is a leading distributor of residential and commercial plumbing, kitchen, bath, and lighting products. They provide homeowners, designers, and builders a wide variety of high-quality fixtures and expert guidance. Francisca Alonso, CEO of AV Architects + Builders, interviewed Taylor Viands, a consultant at Ferguson, to gain firsthand insight into the top lighting trends of 2025. Speaking directly with an industry expert allows homeowners to make informed choices, combining style, technology, and practicality.
This collaboration naturally aligns with AV Architects + Builders’ approach. With 24 years of experience designing and building custom homes in Northern Virginia, our team emphasizes natural light, layered illumination, and fixtures that reflect the homeowner’s personality. By staying current with industry trends, we guide clients in choosing lighting that is timeless, functional, and stylish. Working alongside experts like Ferguson ensures our homes combine innovation with design precision, enhancing daily living while keeping spaces visually cohesive.
The interview dives into actionable takeaways for homeowners: which trends are growing, how to plan lighting early, and how to balance technology with style. Readers will understand which trends enhance spaces without overwhelming them, and how to integrate lighting thoughtfully.
How would you describe the lighting trends that defined 2025? Have you noticed any shifts from what homeowners were gravitating toward in 2024?
Taylor Viands explained that homeowners in 2025 are moving away from oversized chandeliers and gravitating toward smaller, refined fixtures that mix metals. Brushed gold, matte black, and nickel finishes are being combined to create cohesive yet visually interesting spaces.
Francisca noted that this trend allows homeowners to unify rooms without repeating the same finishes. Taylor emphasized that mixing metals is not just about aesthetics—it adds flexibility across kitchens, dining areas, and living rooms, allowing subtle visual interest without overwhelming the space. Smaller frames still provide presence while blending seamlessly with other design elements.
This trend shows that modern lighting is balancing elegance with practicality. Homeowners can introduce personality and sophistication while maintaining harmony across their home. Thoughtful fixture selection elevates everyday living spaces without dominating them.
Have you seen any new lighting innovations take off in 2025—like smart systems, tunable lighting, or even LED accent lighting strips, which seem to be everywhere right now?
Francisca explained that smart lighting continues to reshape residential design in 2025. Tunable lights, LED accent strips, and recessed fixtures that disappear into architecture allow homeowners to control color temperature, brightness, and ambiance from a phone or remote.
Taylor added that these products integrate seamlessly with modern interiors. LED tape lights under cabinets or behind mirrors provide subtle accent illumination while keeping fixtures out of sight. The trend reflects a growing desire for convenience, mood control, and functional beauty in everyday spaces.
Homeowners benefit from technology that supports both aesthetics and lifestyle. Smart lighting enables rooms to transition smoothly between work, relaxation, and entertainment, showing that modern design prioritizes experience as much as style.
Best Sellers
Which lighting fixtures or brands have been your best sellers this year?
Taylor highlighted Kichler, Capital Lighting, and Innovations Lighting as top sellers in 2025. Kichler’s brushed gold finishes offer timeless elegance, Capital Lighting is known for versatility and affordability, and Innovations Lighting draws attention with creative glass options such as frosted, raindrop, or etched textures.
Francisca noted that subtle variations in finish or texture can transform the mood of a room, even in small ways. Taylor emphasized that homeowners are increasingly selecting pieces for both function and personal style, viewing lighting as an opportunity to express personality and creativity.
This trend illustrates that homeowners are prioritizing quality, customization, and aesthetic impact. The right fixture can anchor a room, enhance decor, and provide practical illumination without compromise.
What was your personal favorite lighting trend or product of 2025, and why?
Taylor shared that her favorite trend of 2025 is bold pendants with crystal or wood accents. These fixtures anchor living spaces, introducing softness while maintaining drama. Two-tone finishes, which blend multiple metals in a single piece, provide depth and visual interest.
Francisca observed that statement pendants allow homeowners to express style without overwhelming a space. These fixtures work well in open layouts, dining rooms, and entryways, giving personality and presence to otherwise neutral rooms.
This trend highlights that even small design choices can have a big impact. Homeowners can combine functionality and artistry, creating focal points that feel intentional and elegant.
Any advice for homeowners designing or remodeling their lighting plan in 2026?
Taylor emphasized the importance of planning lighting early in a project. Waiting until the final stages often leads to impulse buying or mismatched pieces. Lighting should be treated like jewelry: it does not have to match every element perfectly but should reflect personality and taste.
Francisca added that early planning ensures layered lighting across rooms, balancing ambient, task, and accent illumination. Homeowners can achieve consistency while introducing unique statement pieces that enhance the home’s overall aesthetic.
This advice demonstrates that strategic lighting choices simplify decision-making, reduce stress, and create spaces that are both functional and beautiful.
What trends or innovations do you predict we’ll see in 2026?
Taylor predicts a rise in linear lighting designs in 2026. Sleek, elongated fixtures are expected to replace traditional chandeliers, complementing open floor plans and multifunctional spaces.
Francisca noted that clean lines and minimalist forms will help define zones while maintaining visual flow. Linear fixtures provide subtle elegance without drawing attention away from other design elements, making them ideal for modern interiors.
This trend indicates that homeowners will continue prioritizing simplicity, functionality, and cohesion, integrating lighting as both a design tool and a lifestyle enhancer.
Lighting Trends Summary and Next Steps
What’s the best way for homeowners or designers to reach you or visit your Ferguson showroom?
Residential lighting in 2025 blends function, personalization, and innovation. Mixed metals, discreet LED solutions, bold pendants, and customizable finishes reflect a shift toward intentional design choices that complement everyday living. Homeowners now have tools to create spaces that are expressive, functional, and visually cohesive. Understanding these trends allows homeowners to make informed decisions that elevate their homes in both style and usability.
To explore the latest fixtures and trends, visit Ferguson Showrooms for expert guidance on lighting selection for any space. For resources, inspiration, and guidance on planning your home’s lighting and design, check out the AV Architects + Builders Learning Center. When you’re ready to design a modern home built around the way you live, schedule a consultation through our contact page and start creating a home that balances style, technology, and everyday living.