Brass, black, chrome or glass: which material should you choose?

Two lamps that look almost the same in the shop can look very different at home. The difference is rarely in the shape and almost always in the material.

Brass and gold tones

Warm, classic, and it instantly makes a room look more expensive. Brushed brass is calmer than polished; the latter reflects strongly and needs calm surroundings.

Suits: wood, warm colours, Japandi interiors, marble.

Matt black

Graphic and sleek. A black lamp stands out as a line against a light wall, which makes it an accent.

Note: matt black shows dust and fingerprints less than chrome, but scratches more easily. Suits: white walls, poured floors, modern kitchens.

Chrome and nickel

Cool and reflective. Chrome reflects the colours of the room and therefore stands out less than you would think. Brushed nickel is softer and warmer than chrome.

Suits: modern interiors, lots of glass, bathrooms.

Glass, smoked and clear

Clear glass shows the light source. Then choose a beautiful light source, because it becomes part of the design. Smoked glass softens the light and gives a warm, muted atmosphere, but gives up lumens.

If you want to soften the light without losing brightness, choose opal or frosted glass.

Linen, paper and wood

Soft, diffuse light, and the fitting looks calm during the day too. Downside: less easy to clean, and not suitable above a hob or in a humid bathroom.

How to choose

Look at the largest material surface in the room, usually the floor or the kitchen. Match the lamp to it, or deliberately choose contrast. What you want to avoid is almost the same: bronze next to copper clashes harder than bronze next to black.

More on choosing a style in Japandi or modern.

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