5 Outdated Lighting Features That Are Suddenly Back in Style, According to Designers

Any home update you make comes with a little risk of future regret. One of the toughest pills to swallow when it comes to a renovation is realizing something “outdated” that you replaced is actually back in style.

When it comes to lighting, new fixtures can be pricy, original lighting is often irreplaceable, and installation labor adds up. So before you make any irreversible or non-refundable choices, take a look at this list of five outdated lighting features that designers say are back in style.

Track Lighting

Designer Lucy Harrison has bad news for anyone who recently removed some track lighting from their home: It’s back. Track lighting may not be an aesthetic statement in itself, but it quite literally can shine a light on the aspects of your home you love most. Designers are positioning these angled, movable lights strategically to do just that.

“I first started noticing [track lighting] more in modern homes and properties that were really trying to focus on elevated architectural details and highlight those features,” she says.

If you want your task lighting to blend into the background, opt for a white set on a white ceiling.

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Polished Brass Light Fixtures

In recent years, brushed and antique brass lighting fixtures have been experiencing a renaissance, but lighting expert Preston Butler has noticed polished brass stealing some of the limelight.

“The shiny finish that most people thought was long gone is showing up in new homes and remodels,” he says. “It’s one of those finishes that once felt dated, but when you pair it with the right setup, it looks fresh again.”

Polished brass chandeliers are fairly easy to find on Facebook Marketplace or in flea markets these days, and the same goes for polished brass sconces. If you want to try this trend out, Butler suggests pairing it with a light green hue.

“Brass blends in with those tones without fighting them.”

Another safe way to try out the brass lighting trend is to purchase a new fixture with a living finish. It will arrive nice and polished, but will develop a beautiful patina over time (probably just in time for the trend to make its way out).

Edison Bulb Light Fixtures

We all may have gotten a little burnt out on the look of exposed Edison bulbs hanging from wires in the 2010s. This look was part of the industrial modern trend that spread like wildfire from Brooklyn lofts to the rest of the world.

But according to Harrison, it seems like we’ve had enough of a break. Nature is healing, and she’s starting to see them applied in a more refined way.

Vintage lighting is trending in general, especially Art Deco lighting with exposed bulbs. Edison bulbs offer a more period-appropriate choice than traditionally shaped ones for this application.

Tiffany-Style Lighting

Tiffany lamps are a timeless gift from the turn of the century, but over the years, they’ve woven in and out of popularity. Designer Andrea Sinkin Jaffe says they are back, and she’s on board and using them in certain applications.

“We actually had [a Tiffany-style lamp] in my house,” she says. “It was an overhead light, and I ripped it out because it didn’t give enough light. Plus, I didn’t like it. But the times have changed. That was 10 years ago, and now I find myself attracted to beautiful Tiffany lights with stained glass again.”

While Sinkin still doesn’t love Tiffany-style lighting for overhead lighting since they tend to be too dim, she says it’s a classic choice for a desk light or accent lamp. She plans on sourcing some for an upcoming project.

Semi-Flush Mount Lighting With Glass Domes

When Harrison says semi-flush mount lighting with glass domes is trending, she’s not talking about the tacky ones you’re used to.

She is talking about retro and antique-inspired versions that show off architectural interest. Think art deco style with a hobnail pattern on the glass or ones with ornate floral designs in the metal work.