DP Curates: 5 Statement Lights That Tell A Design Story Before They Glow

A quiet but decisive shift is unfolding in modern Indian homes. Modest downlights and ambient lighting are giving way to statement lighting solutions that feel almost site-specific, shaped as much by the architecture as by the designer’s intent. These luminous interventions influence how a space feels, moves and breathes, transforming light from a utility into an expressive force. Whether suspended like art in the living room, or casting umbrageous effects over a dining table, their sculptural presence is felt before it is even switched on. And unlike grid-bound downlights, these lights can be introduced even during renovations as they require minimal ceiling reconfiguration. Design Pataki curates five such incandescent fixtures that prove a single luminous gesture can recalibrate the soul of an entire room. 

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Totems Of Light And Character By Harshita Jhamtani Designs For Baldiwala Edge

Statement lighting has emerged as an artistic force that starts conversations, elevates atmosphere and imprints itself in memory. At Playhaus, a South Mumbai residence, led by Principal Designer Ali Baldiwala of Baldiwala Edge, a trio of whimsical clay pendants crafted by Harshita Jhamtani Designs descend like a procession of playful totems. Hand-painted in ivory and terracotta hues, each light is assembled uniquely and engineered atop a mild-steel structure, tailored precisely to the proportions of the dining table and the ceiling specifications. “This house was designed for a young couple who love hosting,” Ali shares. “A social home needs conversation starters, and these lights instantly draw you in.” The ceramic lights punctuate a youthful and sculptural language already at play in the space: the dining table with a sculptural metal base, the tactile cabinetry, a chromatic artwork and quirky mirror. “I don’t look at it as a light, I look at it as an art installation that beautifully compliments the quirky elements around,” says Ali. On how lighting is evolving in modern homes, he explains, “once statement lighting becomes part of the architecture, it remains timeless. Guests notice it, remember it and often leave talking about that one striking piece.”

Concrete figurines that cast light By HS Desiigns

Statement lighting is rewriting the rules of spatial drama altogether. Nowhere is this more palpable than at Eastern Groove in Mumbai, where Principal Designer Hitesh Shahanand and Interior Designer Malay Shah, along with Principal Architect Nirmay Shah of HS Desiigns transform the home’s entrance corridor into an evocative walkway using sculptural lighting. Guiding you inward are two polygonal lanterns encased in frosted glass with a grid-like frame, and held by quintessential sculpted concrete figures. The forms inspired by Brutalist Geometry and Classical Architectural Ornamentation, are integrated into the wall itself, blurring the line between structure and sculpture. “We wanted the lights to feel like an architectural gesture, something that reveals, frames, and guides,” says Hitesh, describing how the team designed the piece in-house and worked closely with local artisans to bring it to life. “The lights command attention, transforming the corridor into a gallery-like setting that anchors the home’s narrative of quiet monumentality” he adds. Clearly, statement lighting has found renewed relevance in contemporary interiors, and in this space, it is a timeless expression of visual drama and sculptural storytelling. 

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Sculptural Cane Pendant By The Wicker Story For Alara Studio

A weightless cluster of handwoven seed pods hovers elegantly in the living room of the Kora home in Chennai, orchestrated by Principal Designer Amrita Thomas of Alara Studio. Designed by Priyanka Narula of The Wicker Story, the sculptural cane pendant is a part of her “Seeds of Life” series, an ode to nature’s quiet generosity, from blooming flowers to fallen seed pods. Handcrafted, sustainable and sculptural, the organic luminaire feels both timeless and free-spirited, gently enveloping the room with warmth and ease. Although not custom-made, its arrival into the project was almost fated. “I discovered this piece during a visit to the Room Therapy Collective in Hyderabad, and it instantly resonated with the spirit of this beach house. It echoed the organic forms we were exploring throughout the design,” shares Amrita. With the soaring ceiling heights and panoramic sea views, this statement light grounds the space beautifully without overwhelming it. Amrita’s design approach avoids trend driven choices. “I believe in having a few strong, meaningful pieces rather than many loud ones,” she affirms. It is a reminder that statement lights, when intentional, become a room’s defining character.

A Handwoven Bloom By Sona Reddy Studio

There are lights that brighten a room, and then there are those that take the centre stage, hovering like art and commanding attention. At Summer House in Hyderabad, Principal Architect Sona Reddy of Sona Reddy Studio conceived a spectacular woven luminaire that draws inspiration from the forest flowers, their gentle sway, and the way each petal opens to light. The light is handwoven from natural cane and Assamese rattan in collaboration with skilled artisans of The Wicker Story. “It is an in-house design that evolved through many conversations, sketches, and hands at work, each weave guided by intuition and experience,” shares Sona. For her, statement lighting isn’t about following trends, it’s about creating something that continues to evoke wonder over time. “We wanted the light to be more than just illumination, a piece that celebrates the beauty of craft and movement. It is the central piece of the house and it visually makes you gather around it” she adds. Reimagined with a contemporary spirit, the sculptural piece exemplifies why statement lighting never loses its place, even as trends come and go. 

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Lights With A Wabi-Sabi Heart By Blinkbox For A&K Design Studio

Statement lighting has a way of instantly defining a space. In a Khandala outhouse dubbed ‘Under the Jamun Tree’, the dining area comes alive under a trio of stone-textured pendant lights made of fibre and clay. Imagined by Founders and Interior Designers Aarti Somani and Kruti Sheth of A&K Design Studio, and crafted by Blinkbox, the lights blend naturally with the villa’s warm, earthy palette. Subtle yet striking, the lights not only illuminates the space, but also reflects the studio’s belief in thoughtful, expressive design. “The outhouse has a strong Wabi-Sabi aesthetic, so the lights needed to look organic and imperfect, just like the rest of the space,” share the founders. Commenting on the current sway of lighting trends, they explain, “Statement light pieces are always part of our residential projects. Their form and finish depends on the style of the space. They hold value and give a particular space character and a design feature to bring together the look.”