What’s New in Home Lighting Design for 2025

Lighting is one of the most powerful design elements in any home—it affects how spaces look, feel, and function. For Ontario homeowners planning new builds or renovations in 2025, lighting design is no longer just about wattage and fixtures. It’s about smart integration, energy performance, and creating mood with precision.

Here’s a look at the latest home lighting trends shaping Ontario homes this year—along with tips to ensure your lighting design is both beautiful and efficient.

1. Smart Lighting Systems Are the New Standard

Smart home integration continues to be a top priority for Ontario homeowners, and lighting is one of the easiest and most impactful systems to automate.

Key features:

• App-controlled brightness and scheduling

• Voice-activated assistants (e.g., Alexa, Google Home)

• Occupancy and motion sensors

• Scenes for different moods (e.g., “Dinner,” “Relax,” “Entertain”)

Tip: During renovations, pre-wire for smart lighting zones—even if you’re not installing all the components immediately. This future-proofs your system and saves costs later.

2. Warm LED and Human-Centric Design

Gone are the days of harsh white LEDs. Today’s trend is toward warmer color temperatures that mimic natural light rhythms.

Design considerations:

• 2700K to 3000K for warm, cozy environments like bedrooms and living rooms

• Tunable white lighting that changes throughout the day to support circadian rhythms

• CRI (Color Rendering Index) above 90 for accurate color display in kitchens and baths

Ontario homeowners are now prioritizing wellness and ambiance—using light to support mood, sleep, and visual comfort.

3. Indirect and Layered Lighting Techniques

Direct overhead lighting is being replaced by layered lighting strategies that blend ambient, task, and accent lighting.

Current trends include:

• Cove lighting and hidden LED strips for soft glow

• Under-cabinet lighting in kitchens and home offices

• Wall washers to highlight textured finishes or art

• Integrated shelf lighting and toe-kick lighting for subtle ambiance

These elements elevate the sophistication of your home and make each room feel custom-tailored.

4. Energy Code Compliance in Ontario

As of 2025, Ontario’s energy efficiency codes continue to evolve, impacting what’s allowed—and encouraged—in residential lighting.

What to know:

• Homes must use energy-efficient fixtures and bulbs, primarily LED

• Dimmers and timers are often recommended or required in specific applications

• Outdoor lighting must be directional and energy-conscious

Designing with these codes in mind ensures your renovation or new build is not only stylish but compliant and efficient.

5. Statement Fixtures as Sculptural Art

While hidden lighting is popular for mood, there’s still room for drama. Homeowners are increasingly treating lighting as a focal point in their interior design.

Trending fixtures in 2025:

• Large-scale pendants over kitchen islands

• Sculptural chandeliers with mixed materials

• Vintage-style bulbs in minimalist sconces

• Linear lighting elements in modern dining rooms

Ontario’s contemporary homes often combine natural textures with bold lighting forms to create memorable spaces.

6. Outdoor Lighting Gets an Upgrade

With outdoor living rooms on the rise, landscape and exterior lighting have stepped up.

Popular upgrades:

• Smart path lighting for safety and ambiance

• Wall-mounted sconces with motion sensors

• Color-changing LEDs for decks and patios

• Solar-powered fixtures in eco-conscious homes

Outdoor lighting extends the usability of your space and helps tie the overall design together.

How De Simone Designs Illuminates Smart Architecture

At De Simone Designs, we work closely with Ontario homeowners to plan lighting schemes that are functional, compliant, and striking. Whether it’s part of a custom home design or a renovation, our plans integrate lighting early in the process—so your fixtures don’t feel like afterthoughts.

We consider how light interacts with layout, finishes, and user behavior to ensure that your home works beautifully at every hour of the day.

Design lighting that works with your lifestyle—not against it.

Whether you're renovating or building new in Ontario, let De Simone Designs help you create layered, energy-smart lighting plans that bring your home to life.

📞 Call today to schedule a lighting-focused design consultation.