From simple spherical hanging lights to lighting sculptures by designers Isamu Noguchi and Ingo Maurer, this lookbook rounds up living rooms enhanced by the organic texture and warm glow of paper lamps.
The versatile appearance of paper lights, which come in various geometric shapes and often have neutral warm-toned shades, makes them a popular choice for creating cosy living rooms.
Drawing upon traditional Japanese rice paper lanterns, some of the rooms in this roundup use paper lamps to evoke the serenity of minimalist Japanese interiors.
Other lounge spaces featured below use modernised paper lamp designs in angular shapes, popularised by Noguchi in the 1950s, to complement mid-century modern furnishings.
This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring contemporary kitchens with skylights, interiors with exposed ceiling beams and interiors with clerestory windows.
Amagansett Beach House, US, by Starling Architecture and Emily Lindberg Design
US studios Starling Architecture and Emily Lindberg Design suspended a large spherical paper lamp over a double-height living room for the Amagansett Beach House in the Hamptons.
Illuminated by the warm light, the home’s exposed glue-laminated Douglas fir timber structure and white oak surfaces contrast the dark timber exterior, which was treated with the Japanese blackening technique Shou Sugi Ban.
Find out more about Amagansett Beach House ›
Mayfair home, UK, Child Studio
Two Lampampe table lamps by industrial designer Maurer were placed on marble plinths in the living room of this London Mayfair home, which was designed by local practice Child Studio to have a mix of mid-century modern and custom-made decor.
Designed by Maurer between the late 1970s and early 1980s, the lamps have the shape of traditional lampshades, but their entire form is crafted from slightly creased Japanese paper.
Find out more about the Mayfair home ›
Biscuit Loft, US, by OWIU Studio
Architecture and design studio OWIU Studio added Japanese elements to the industrial interior of the Biscuit Loft apartment, located in a former factory in Downtown Los Angeles.
Informed by ryokans, traditional Japanese inns, a living space-cum-guest-bedroom features a spherical and an elliptical paper lamp suspended over an area intended for tea ceremonies.
Find out more about Biscuit Loft ›
Palau apartment, Spain, by Colombo and Serboli Architecture
This apartment in Barcelona was renovated by local studio Colombo and Serboli Architecture to highlight some of its “imperfect” original features, informed by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi.
A round paper lamp hangs from the ceiling beams in the corner of a built-in sitting area, which extends from the micro-cement base of the staircase.
Find out more about the Palau apartment ›
Villa Wienberg, Denmark, by Wienberg Architects
Architects Mette and Martin Wienberg overhauled this 1940s cottage in Denmark, lining the living areas with oil-treated oak boards and adding cosy furnishings.
A paper light hangs above built-in seating that wraps the main living room and adds textural variety to the timber interior, along with fabric cushions and a furry throw.
Find out more about Villa Wienberg ›
Eames House, US, by Charles and Ray Eames
A more traditional-looking Japanese paper lantern is one of the hanging lamps that illuminate the living room in Eames House, a modernist Californian residence completed by US designers Charles and Ray Eames in 1949.
Maintained by the nonprofit Eames Foundation, the home’s mid-century modern decor closely matches the way the Eames lived in it until their deaths.
Find out more about Eames House ›
Archipelago House, Sweden, by Norm Architects
A conical paper lamp hangs above the lounge space in Archipelago House, a holiday home on the coast of Sweden designed by Danish studio Norm Architects.
Aiming to embody both Scandinavian and Japanese aesthetics, the home was dressed with furniture designed by the studio in collaboration with Japanese manufacturer Karimoku Case Study.
Find out more about Archipelago House ›
Powerscroft Road townhouse, UK, by Daytrip
Perched atop a wood burner in the living room of this London home is the 27N lamp from Noguchi’s Akari range, a series of handmade lighting sculptures made from washi paper and bamboo frames.
Design studio Daytrip renovated and extended the home and loosely lime-washed the walls, aiming to create a calm and serene interior that showcased craftsmanship.
Find out more about Powerscroft Road townhouse ›
This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring contemporary kitchens with skylights, interiors with exposed ceiling beams and interiors with clerestory windows.
