I love a well-designed and functional lighting design with some aesthetic value. But besides these three holy grails, it also helps if the light is compact and doesn’t occupy too much precious real estate on your desk, bedside table, or wherever we place it. Besides that, a well-designed lighting fixture should not only have the ability to illuminate any living space but also add that extra oomph factor! I mean, of course, we need them to see in the dark, but as highly functional as they should be, a lighting fixture also needs to be aesthetically pleasing, adding an attractive and visually soothing element to your home or office space. And, we’ve curated a bunch of compact and exceptional lighting designs that will make excellent additions to your home.
1. Japanese Lantern Candle
This compact little lighting design is inspired by the traditional Japanese ‘chouchin’ lantern, and it has a unique billowy pillar shape and an almost ambient and ethereal-looking aura to it. It is the kind of lighting design that can add some calm and peace to your cumbersome workday and can be easily moved around.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Japanese lantern candle is a contemporary and modern take on an iconic Japanese design. It has a minimalist and compact ethos, which occupies minimum space on your bedside table or desk. It emits a relaxing glow and is handcrafted by artisans in Kurashiki, Japan.
What we like
- The wax is non-melting, which ensures a lovely clarity on the candle
What we dislike
- The lantern candle needs to be kept away from pets and children, as it is a fire hazard
2. Tars Desk Lamp
This conceptual desk lamp is a space-saving and ingenious design that replaces those bulky lamps that take up precious desk space. It not only provides proper lighting to those who spend hours working on their desk but also brings a bit of sustainability to the table. It is called the Tars desk lamp, and it has a minimalist ethos.
Why is it noteworthy?
It is designed to be clipped to the edge of your table, giving you loads of space for the important things and tasks you need to finish on your desk. It is flexible and is equipped with a wide range of movements, letting you easily place the light where you may need it.
What we like
- Controls are minimalist and easy to use
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
What we dislike
- It is a conceptual product so we don’t know how well it will translate into a tangible product
3. Amber Crystal Light
Named Amber Crystal Light, this little lighting design by Gingko looks like a fortune-telling orb that is placed on a wooden base. Intricate and pretty little designs have been etched onto the center of the glass orb, and once the light is switched on, the art scatters light in various directions, creating a glowing display that looks like visual magic.
Why is it noteworthy?
The light features five different artworks within the orb itself – galaxy, dandelion, solar system, Saturn, and a motif of Earth as a globe. The various motifs represent different emotions like hope, curiosity, serenity, and a genuine love for space, science, and nature.
What we like
- The light provides up to 16 hours of illumination with pretty designs
What we dislike
- Should be kept away from kids and pets, as it seems to be fragile and easily breakable
4. Lari Mini Lamp
Designed by Danish design brand Karakter, the Lari Mini Lamp is a miniature and renewed version of a lamp that was originally created by the late Italian architect and sculptor Angelo Mangiarotti in 1978. This adorable mini lamp features a rounded-square silhouette, with a ribbed central section made from hand-blown glass.
Why is it noteworthy?
The beautiful lamp is crafted from hand-blown glass, and it has quite a unique and distinctive shape that instantly grabs attention. It is made up of a glass volume of two bulbs that emit a warm white glow. The bulbs are placed against a black oval-shaped base, which creates an interesting piece.
What we like
- More practical and accessible than the original full-sized lamp
- Provides 12 hours of illumination when fully charged
What we dislike
- Looks incredibly fragile, and since it is made from hand-blown glass, it must be handled with care
5. Anywhere-Use Lamp
Dubbed the Anywhere-Use Lamp, this minimalist and compact table lamp is a subtle and functional lighting solution in a world overflowing to the brim with glaring screens and harsh lights. It features a mushroom-inspired head which gives out a soft and relaxing ambient glow.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Anywhere-Use Lamp is powered by four AA batteries, and it has a unique modular design that provides atmospheric enhancement wherever you place it. It features six high-color rendering LEDs, which offer a soothing luminescence, transforming your home into an oasis of calmness.
What we like
- Equipped with 4 brightness levels
- It is easy to disassemble and carry with you
What we dislike
- Doesn’t have a water-resistant design
- Uses four AA batteries
6. Harmony Flame Fireplace
Named the Harmony Flame Fireplace, this beautiful brass lamp lets you build and enjoy a safe little fire indoors. The fireplace utilizes bioethanol to spread some illumination and warmth in your home. The technique which is typically used to create musical instruments was used to craft this fireplace.
Why is it noteworthy?
The fireplace was designed to elevate and uplift the mood and ambiance of indoor space. It features reflective surfaces that work with the vivid flames to create a play of shadows and lights, forming a decorative piece that is quite aesthetically appealing as well.
What we like
- The fireplace allows you to enjoy a warm, safe, and pretty fire within the comforts of your own home
What we dislike
- It is powered by bioethanol, which needs to be purchased repeatedly for refilling, building a fuel dependency
7. Stair Table Lamp
Called the Stair Table Lamp, this playful little lamp offers a whimsical approach to gravity and geometry. It looks like a sphere delicately perched on the edge of a staircase. It has a solid stepped base with a spherical light fixed on top, which builds curiosity within the users.
Why is it noteworthy?
Doubles up as a bookend when placed on a bedside table, desk, or in a children’s playroom. It can also be slipped into the various nooks and crannies of your home, lighting up your house, while also organizing your books and keeping them in place.
What we like
- Multifunctional light design that also functions as a bookend
What we dislike
8. Skyview
Named Skyview, these little lamps can be used for light therapy, which also manages to look quite pleasing. The lamps are designed by Bio by “documented scientific research”, which means the lamps can simulate exposure to sunlight in the comfort of your home.
Why is it noteworthy?
The lamps can simulate sunshine in your home, even if the sun is not out. They’re well-designed lamp designs that naturally merge with your home, also ensuring that they don’t look out of place in your living room, bedroom, or home office.
What we like
- The lamps can be programmed to adjust to the time and the natural light outside the home
What we dislike
- Hefty price tag, which may not be economical for everyone
9. Half-Folded Lamp
This half-folded table lamp is an innovative little design that is bound to bring up images of playful memories from your child, as it has a rather unusual shape that reminds you of the folded paper toys we used to make in our childhood. It not only illuminates your home but also takes you on a trip down memory lane!
Why is it noteworthy?
The lamp is made of a folded piece of aluminum, and it looks nothing like a lamp at first glance. It looks more like a sheet of metal that was folded diagonally to build an incomplete pyramid that could topple over any minute. However, the shape and fold of the design do provide a stable form.
What we like
- Adds a special nighttime atmosphere to your room
What we dislike
- Doesn’t look like a lamp, so may be mistaken as a toy by children
10. Stella
Dubbed Stella, this brilliant-looking lighting design is built through a range of different techniques – transforming and repetition, and by using various geometric shapes. The lighting design was created as a part of the 2023 New Collection lighting products by COG Design Studio x Bonaki.
Why is it noteworthy?
Stella has an intriguing triangular intaglio shape and is made using acrylic material. The design beautifully and gently observes the sensibility of light when it is transmitted to a precise and detailed intaglio pattern.
What we like
- Emits an ambient and seductive glow
- Portable and easy-to-carry design that can be placed wherever you like
What we dislike
- Looks quite fragile, so must be handled with care