Stop Sleeping on Lighting: Why the Right Fixture Can Work Wonders

Lighting is often an overlooked aspect of interior spaces, but trust us: the right fixtures can truly work wonders in a space and shouldn’t be seen as an afterthought. “Lighting shapes the mood and style of a room,” says Allison Kaminsky of Lola Tucker Interiors. The designer is especially a proponent of vintage fixtures. “With their unique designs and historical significance, [they] serve as captivating focal points that integrate seamlessly with various decor styles,” she says. 

Below, you’ll find some tips for how to choose the best vintage light fixtures for your space. 

Test the Lighting: Before you bring a vintage fixture home, be sure it works! Additionally, you’ll want to get a sense of how much brightness it will provide in a given space. So don’t be shy—plug it in while at an estate sale or thrift store. 

Photo courtesy of Danielle Churchill

Mix and Match: “Incorporating different styles and periods can add depth to modern interiors,” Kaminsky says. Adding a vintage light fixture or two to a room can significantly influence the story it tells. 

Photo courtesy of Ashley Londino

“The right vintage lamp can turn a simple corner into a cozy reading nook, while antique pendant lights can unify and elevate an open-plan area,” she notes. 

“The right vintage lamp can turn a simple corner into a cozy reading nook, while antique pendant lights can unify and elevate an open-plan area”. Find the right lighting fixture to mix and match for your home here.

Don’t Be Afraid to Restore Pieces: Secondhand light fixtures may need a bit of restoration, Kaminsky says. Don’t leave a pretty piece behind just because it needs to be rewired—if the price is right, there’s no need to shy away from taking on a bit of maintenance. 

Buy a Fixture for Its Base: More often than not, vintage lampshades will need to be replaced; shades don’t wear as well as bases do and are more likely to appear dated in style, too. That said, make an effort to look past a so-so shade if the base is great. This is a quick fix, after all! Plus, pairing a vintage base with a more contemporary shade will make your space look unique and well-curated. 

 Make an effort to look past a so-so shade if the base is great. This is a quick fix, after all!

Don’t Limit Yourself to One Type Fixture: Think about all of the light sources throughout your home and keep your eyes peeled for tons of different types of pieces while secondhand shopping. Sallie Lord, the founder of Grey Hunt Interiors, likes to be on the lookout for chandeliers, pendants, desk lights, and lamps. “You want to look for quality details,” she says. 

Sallie Lord, the founder of Grey Hunt Interiors, likes to be on the lookout for chandeliers, pendants, desk lights, and lamps. “You want to look for quality details,” she says.

Written by:

Sarah Lyon

May 29, 2024     Updated 10:05 AM

Sarah Lyon is a Washington, DC, native living in New York City. As a freelancer, she frequently covers pieces pertaining to interior design, travel, and other lifestyle topics. Her pieces have appeared in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and more. When she isn't writing, Sarah works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots (and can't stop rearranging and redecorating her own apartment, either!). She has a penchant for shopping secondhand and loves giving preloved pieces new life. Sarah’s own spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz, and Washingtonian.com. Her Dupont Circle apartment was featured in both the spring 2019 print edition of Small Space Decorating and the January 2019 print edition of Washingtonian Magazine.

Ready to locate an estate sale company or explore online estate auctions? Visit AuctionNinja.com. If you're new to online estate auctions, try it risk-free by sigining up here.