If you’re seeing prettily stained glass lighting everywhere these days, you’re not alone. From social media to many young professionals’ living rooms, Tiffany lamps are trending. It’s a look that many enjoyed back in the 70s and 80s, and now that a younger generation is frequenting vintage shops to adorn their own homes, they’re making a comeback. Southern Mamas aren’t the only ones feeling satisfied with this resurgence. Interior designers are on board too.
Interior designer and antiques dealer, Summer Loftin, fondly remembers receiving a stunning Tiffany lamp from Santa when she was young in the 1980s. “I still have and use that little glass lamp,” she says. “The design of the lamp resonated with me then, and I still love it some 30 years later.”
Here’s what you need to know about this nostalgic decor that’s skyrocketing back into style.
What Are Tiffany Lamps?
“Contrary to your first impression, Tiffany lamps are not packaged in a little blue box,” explains antique dealer and interior designer Robin Rains. “However, there is a relationship to the famous company.”
The founder of the Tiffany lamp was the son of the founder of Tiffany & Co. The junior started Tiffany Studios and began crafting unique lamps with bronze wire and blown glass in the late 1800s, inspired by antique glassware in a London museum. Tiffany Studios closed in the 1920s, but its legacy lives on.
The name “Tiffany lamp” has evolved, like “Band-Aid,” “Kleenex,” or “Spanx” to hold meaning beyond the brand and encompass a whole genre of products—in this case, stained glass lighting. While some younger Tiffany lamp-lovers may be lucky enough to get their hands on a Tiffany Studios original, most mentions refer to a style of lighting that shines through colorful stained glass, creating a kaleidoscope of hues on nearby walls and ceilings.
Are Tiffany Lamps Just A Trend?
A style that has lasted over a century is by definition, not a passing fad. Admittedly, the popularity of Tiffany Lamps has historically gone in and out, notably dipping into unfashionable territory in the mid-20th century before springing back into vogue. One way or another, Tiffany lamps keep coming back into style.
In 2024, stylish 20-somethings are sharing their love for Tiffany lamps that can instantly warm a room, gaining approval from the pros who have long loved the richness and character of these lamps.
“People want to incorporate a sense of nostalgia and history into their homes so they have always been sought after,” says Rains. “It’s been a style that has lasted decades and we can expect them to hold their place in design for many years to come.”
Loftin even compares Tiffany lamps to art, which can never truly go out of style. It’s the craftsmanship and unique nature of the lamps that raise these pieces above the trend cycle, she says.
“In regards to craftsmanship, I love the concept of taking fragmented pieces and putting them together into a work of art,” says Loftin. “Whether it’s the lampshades of Tiffany or the mosaic garden at Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden, there’s a certain beauty that comes from creative compilation. Adding the reflective glimmer of light across the hand-made, unique forms is just the icing on the cake.”
So, the verdict is in: Tiffany lamps are timeless. If you’re looking to invest in a true vintage version that won’t go out of style anytime soon, Rains recommends browsing Chairish and 1stDibs.
How To Style Tiffany Lamps
There’s two paths you can take to properly style this trendy yet timeless decor. First would be to incorporate the Tiffany lamp in a space that matches its cozy richness. For example, a Tiffany lamp would be right at home in a cozy living room with warm hues and layered textures.
“I find that moody and cocooning spaces are the perfect modern atmosphere for Tiffany lamps, embracing the dappled light, an ideal backdrop for the glint of finely cast bronze,” says Loftin. “For functionality with flare, these prized pieces are also excellent nightlights when tucked into a niche or placed on a staircase landing.”
Alternatively, Rains recommends using contrast to help Tiffany lamps really shine. “We love the juxtaposition of contemporary clean lines with antiques,” she says “Pairing collected items across various design eras is what creates a layered and unique home. The Tiffany lamp is truly art….so pair it with a modern desk and black and white photography and you have a collected moment.”
