5 Timeless Light Fixtures You’ll Never Regret Installing

Trying to decide on the light fixtures you want to install in your home can be a challenging situation—you want something that illuminates your space well, of course, but you also want it to look good! And you don’t want to pick something too trendy because it may make your home look dated in a year or two. (And no one wants to have to go through the hassle of installing lighting over and over again.) So the solution? Pick classic pieces that can live in your space for decades to come.

Enter the “Boroughs Collection” from Blueprint Lighting, a line of lighting created in collaboration with our own 2024 Real Simple Home stars Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum (AKA the Brownstone Boys). The line, inspired by their home base of New York City, is filled with timeless, long-lasting pieces. “We drew from each borough’s rich histories, iconic architecture and design, and energy to dream up fixtures that reflected the iconic stories of New York,” the duo says.

There’s a lot we can learn about timeless lighting from the couple’s collection—you can either scoop up a piece on their site or take notes from the designers to get the look on your own. Here, they share what you should look for when you’re on the hunt for classic light fixtures you’ll never regret.

A Simple Pendant

A simple, clean pendant is one of the most flexible pieces you can choose for a home, and the Brooklyn pendant from the Brownstone Boys’ collection is the perfect example of this. Because of its plain—but gorgeous—silhouette, it can blend into any environment. “We love the idea of mixing these throughout a space to create subtle consistency,” the designers say. Just choose multiple sizes for your home: Scale down for a small space like a kitchen or bath and scale up for a dining room.

This pendant in particular is made of hand-thrown fiber cement, which creates a beautiful, organic texture that helps it feel a little more special than a traditional drum shade or metal dome.

A Grand Chandelier

Every home needs at least one statement piece—something that will stop people in their tracks to really appreciate its beauty. It’s usually in the living room, dining area, or entryway. The Manhattan chandelier epitomizes this opulence without being too over-the-top. (And you might even recognize it from the Real Simple Home!)

It has three tiers and features 28 classic exposed bulbs. You can customize the finish (there are 36 to choose from) but brass, bronze, or black are your safest bets if you’d like a timeless option. Though Kelly Aaron, co-founder and CEO of Blueprint, says, “Adding color to such large, imposing fixtures is so impactful in the design of a room; a 3-tier fixture in a peacock blue or rich malachite green creates instant drama.”

Ultimately, the round, uncomplicated shape and clean lines aid in its versatility, so opting for lighting that mimics this silhouette is a wise choice if you want something that will stand the test of time.

A Glam Sconce

A small wall sconce might not seem like it can make a huge difference in a space, but it can! The right one can pack a huge design punch, especially one that features glam details, like marble and brass. The Staten Island Sconce (also seen in this year’s Real Simple Home) fits the bill. Made from Calacatta marble and natural brass, the unique shape was inspired by the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge’s iconic arches. Choosing a sconce in a timeless material like marble is a smart way to extend the lifespan of your lighting.

A Simple Glass Sconce

In addition to glam sconces, a simple glass option is a must! They sometimes come in the form of a conventional cone shade—frosted or clear—but this one from Blueprint Lighting has a unique shape. Dubbed The Bronx, the fixture was inspired by the musical heritage of the borough—it’s the shape of a vinyl LP! It helps to pick something out with a bit of twist like this if you don’t want to skew too traditional! But glass accents, no matter the style, are enduring and something every home should feature.

A Diffused Fixture

While a clear glass light fixture works well in a space where very bright light is necessary, a fixture with some kind of shade or paneling to diffuse the light is essential in a room where you want to set a cozy vibe. It’s perfect for a moody ambience—and a nonnegotiable in a bedroom or den.

Like the Staten Island sconce, the Queens sconce the Brownstone Boys created is made from thin Calacatta marble panels which cast a flattering glow. “When styling the Queens sconce, we love the idea of mounting these either horizontally or vertically depending on the space,” the Brownstone Boys explain. “One silhouette we’re looking forward to using them in is horizontally over side tables as bedside sconces.” Very chic.