After years dominated by straight lines, geometry, and minimalism, something is changing in home design. Winter 2025 brings a return to something softer, warmer, and more natural—especially in the world of lighting.
The most prominent trend this year is a return to natural materials. Lighting today is becoming part of the sensory experience of a space. Fixtures made of solid wood, rattan, marble, travertine, natural fabrics, and stone all combine to create a sense of warmth and closeness to nature.
“People are looking for softness, authenticity, and a human touch,” explains Keren Selinkov, Marketing Director at Light In. “We are seeing an increase in demand for lampshades made from natural fabrics, handmade finishes, and fixtures where every detail feels ‘handcrafted’ rather than ‘factory-made.’ It completely changes the feeling of a space.”
Fabric lampshades, wooden fixtures, rattan, and more all create warmer, softer lighting that adds character without feeling heavy. The naturalness is not just in the material—it’s also in the feeling it conveys.
Biomorphic Design: Curves Instead of Straight Lines
One of the most interesting expressions of this return to nature is biomorphic design—a style that moves away from straight lines and symmetrical shapes, embracing more “living” lines: Curves, waves, leaves, and shells.
Instead of standard round or geometric fixtures, we see designs that resemble the movement of water, a leaf, or a drop of light—like the Adilo lamp by Secto Design, or Il Fanale’s Stone series, which mimic the gentle movement of nature inspired by river stones in natural stone.
Biomorphic design allows light to spread naturally, not too organized, not too cold—but in a way that blends with the material’s texture and the room’s flow. It adds an emotional touch to lighting, radiating warmth, calm, and harmony.
Light as a Material Experience
Winter brings a desire to create depth—not just in light, but in the sensation it evokes. Combinations of natural materials with rich textures create lighting with character—a light that caresses a plastered wall, refracts on wood, or penetrates through natural fabric.
“We are seeing how designers and architects incorporate lighting as part of the material experience of the home,” adds Selinkov. “It’s no longer just a fixture that illuminates a room, but part of an entire design system. Light becomes a design element in itself—one that tells a story.”
Handmade Ceramics Make a Comeback
Alongside the major trends, ceramics are also returning—not necessarily in a traditional sense, but as handmade pieces where each fixture is slightly different from the other.
“Models like Il Fanale’s Dune series exemplify this trend well: Fixtures made from natural ceramic with delicate textures, uneven tones, and sometimes touches of bronze or brass. Each piece is a small artwork on its own, and together they add a layer of warmth and personality to any space,” explains Selinkov.
Technology with a Human Touch
Technology doesn’t disappear from the picture—it simply changes its tone. More and more homes are incorporating smart lighting systems—but with warm, soft, and adjustable light that allows control not only over intensity but also over atmosphere.
“Another fixture, the Teton lamp by Elstead, combines global design with natural touches. The classic drum shape receives a modern interpretation with a matte black finish and soft layers, while the natural rope exterior adds depth, texture, and a touch of relaxed, elegant coastal style,” says Selinkov.