If you're a fan of modern design, chances are you've admired the playful and innovative pieces from Kartell Lighting. The iconic Italian brand is celebrated for its bold use of color, cutting-edge materials like translucent plastics, and designs that double as functional art.
Kartell's statement-making fixtures bring a cheerful, contemporary energy to any space. For those who love that blend of high-design fun and quality craftsmanship, there are many other incredible brands that hit a similar note. Here are 23 other lighting brands worth exploring.
1. Foscarini
Italian brand Foscarini offers lighting that feels like sculpture, creating artistic pendant lights, table lamps, and floor fixtures with bold designs. Known for their sculptural, modern aesthetic, they seamlessly combine form and function with innovative materials, crafting pieces that are instant focal points in any modern interior.
Much like Kartell, Foscarini’s lighting is designed to make a statement. However, while Kartell often leans into vibrant, colorful plastics, Foscarini favors layered, organic shapes with a focus on meticulous craftsmanship. If you love Kartell's artistic vibe but crave something a bit more sculptural, Foscarini delivers.
Shop now at foscarini.com
2. Muuto
Muuto champions the clean, simple elegance of Scandinavian design. This brand specializes in minimalist lighting that feels both functional and beautiful, featuring soft curves, subtle colors, and an emphasis on quality materials. Their pieces are designed to blend seamlessly into modern, pared-back interiors.
Compared to Kartell's playful and colorful style, Muuto is more understated and focused on quiet simplicity. Their common ground lies in a commitment to high-quality, innovative design. For those who appreciate modern aesthetics with a softer, more subtle edge, Muuto’s timeless fixtures are a perfect fit.
Shop now at muuto.com
3. Tom Dixon
Tom Dixon is the master of high-end industrial glamour. The brand is known for its bold, sculptural lighting that makes dramatic use of raw materials like brass, copper, and steel. Its iconic pendants and fixtures are conceived as showstopping centerpieces that give any room an immediate focal point.
While Kartell captures a playful, poppy modernism, Tom Dixon offers a moodier, more luxe version with an edgy, industrial slant. If you're drawn to Kartell's statement-making forms but prefer sleek metallic finishes over colorful plastics, Tom Dixon is your ideal upgrade.
Shop now at tomdixon.net
4. Gubi
Gubi masterfully blends timeless, sculptural forms with a distinctly modern twist. This Danish design house curates an elegant collection of pendants, sconces, and table lamps that feel both artful and functional. The brand reintroduces classic mid-century designs alongside new creations for a unique, sophisticated aesthetic.
Like Kartell, Gubi's designs feature bold, memorable shapes. However, Gubi tends to focus on a more classic-modern feel, using a refined palette and luxe materials to create pieces with enduring appeal. It's the perfect choice for someone wanting artistic lighting that feels both current and classic.
Shop now at gubi.com
5. Lee Broom
Lee Broom delivers luxury, contemporary lighting that merges classic elegance with cutting-edge design. Celebrated for impeccable craftsmanship and innovative use of materials like crystal, marble, and polished metal, his fixtures often feel like modern heirlooms - functional art that adds a touch of glamour to a room.
Both Lee Broom and Kartell create highly decorative and functional lighting. Where Kartell is playful, Lee Broom’s designs are more opulent and detailed, exuding a polished sophistication. This is the brand for those who want a dramatic, high-end statement piece for a luxury modern interior.
Shop now at leebroom.com
6. &Tradition
&Tradition bridges the past and present with a collection rooted in Scandinavian design principles. Their lighting emphasizes craftsmanship, warm materials, and timeless forms, offering pendants and floor lamps in organic shapes and soft, muted color palettes that feel welcoming and stylish.
The shared DNA with Kartell is a deep respect for quality and design integrity. However, &Tradition offers a more understated and warm aesthetic compared to Kartell's vibrant look. It’s perfect for creating a modern space that feels elegantly layered with a contemporary, cozy edge.
Shop now at andtradition.com
7. Louis Poulsen
A true icon of Danish design, Louis Poulsen is famous for functional lighting rooted in Scandinavian minimalism. Their fixtures are engineered to shape light, creating a perfect ambiance with graceful, glare-free illumination. The brand’s pendants and table lamps are timeless classics of form and function.
While far more subdued in color than Kartell, Louis Poulsen shares a meticulous commitment to pioneering design. Their focus on how the light falls and interacts with the form makes their pieces ideal for modern, pared-down interiors where functionality is as important as aesthetics.
Shop now at louispoulsen.com
8. Verpan
Verpan celebrates the work of Danish mid-century icon Verner Panton, reimagining his futuristic designs for today's homes. Their lighting collection is filled with sculptural, eye-catching pieces made from materials like polished metal and shimmering accents. The brand is all about soft, organic forms with a vibrant presence.
Both Verpan and Kartell share a love for bold, statement-making designs. While Kartell is purely contemporary, Verpan channels a more distinct vintage-modern or space-age vibe. It's a fantastic choice for eclectic or modernist interiors where you want your lighting to be a conversation starter.
Shop now at verpan.com
9. Slamp
Slamp is known for its highly innovative, eco-friendly lighting crafted from high-tech, patented materials that create a stunning, luminous effect. Their designs are often sculptural, avant-garde, and feature vibrant colors and textures, echoing Kartell’s playful use of eye-catching materials.
Slamp stands out by combining couture-level artistry with a focus on sustainable materials, producing dramatic fixtures that are both lightweight and unbreakable. For those who love Kartell's bold experimentalism and want something environmentally conscious, Slamp is a magnificent match.
Shop now at slamp.it
10. Seletti
For lighting with a serious dose of personality and humor, look no further than Seletti. This Italian brand is famous for its quirky, avant-garde fixtures that transform everyday objects into design statements. From monkey lamps to glowing lettering, their pieces blur the line between art and lighting.
If Kartell is playful, Seletti is downright mischievous. While both brands create statement pieces, Seletti's approach is more experimental, pop-art-infused, and fearless. It's lighting for those who want to inject their space with undeniable wit and creativity.
Shop now at seletti.it
11. Zava
Zava is an artisan lighting brand offering handcrafted pieces with a focus on unique finishes and organic aesthetics. Their collections showcase quality craftsmanship through materials like textured metal, with designs that feel both modern and tactile. The result is lighting that adds a warm, personal touch.
In contrast to Kartell's sleek, industrially produced plastics, Zava's designs celebrate the mark of the maker. This is a brand for those who appreciate modern forms but want them rendered in natural, warm materials for interiors that feel cozy, handmade, and sophisticated.
Shop now at zava.it
12. Artemide
Artemide is an Italian lighting titan, renowned for combining innovative technology with sleek, performance-driven design. Their collection includes everything from minimalist floor lamps to architectural pendants, all focused on providing superior, beautiful illumination. It’s design driven by technological excellence.
While generally more functional and less colorful than Kartell, Artemide’s dedication to cutting-edge forms and materials is a shared trait. Their elegant, high-performance fixtures are the perfect choice for high-design interiors that demand both style and substance.
Shop now at artemide.com
13. Pablo Designs
Based in San Francisco, Pablo Designs creates modern lighting that prioritizes minimalism and intelligent LED technology. Their pieces often feature clean, geometric shapes and subtle finishes, delivering fixtures that are impactful yet understated, perfect for a refined contemporary look.
Like Kartell, Pablo Designs' creations are all about the power of modern form and function. However, Pablo embraces a more restrained aesthetic focused on sleek lines and innovative utility over bold colors. They are a go-to for someone building a sleek, smart, and thoroughly modern space.
Shop now at pablodesigns.com
14. HAY
Danish brand HAY offers modern, accessible lighting characterized by simple forms, functional appeal, and a thoughtful use of color. Their designs are versatile and approachable, bringing a touch of contemporary Scandinavian style to everyday life without fuss or pretension.
While less experimental with materials than Kartell, HAY shares a similar commitment to modern design with a cheerful vibe. Their lighting is perfect if you're looking for clean, contemporary pieces with a playful pop of color that are both stylish and practical.
Shop now at hay.dk
15. Santa & Cole
Santa & Cole, from Barcelona, is known for creating timeless, elegant lighting that glows with a subtle warmth. Their focus is on impeccable craftsmanship and designs that feel serene and well-considered, often incorporating natural materials like wood, metal, and beautiful fabrics.
Though more subdued in its aesthetic than Kartell, Santa & Cole shares a deep appreciation for modern elegance and high-quality construction. Their pieces are for those who prefer their iconic design to whisper rather than shout, creating a calm and inviting atmosphere.
Shop now at santandcole.com
16. Moooi
Led by Marcel Wanders, Moooi is all about bold, artistic, and often whimsical lighting that serves as statement art. Their fixtures are daring, luxurious, and often incorporate surreal shapes, unexpected materials, and dramatic scales that command attention in any room.
If you like Kartell's playful innovation, Moooi takes it to a theatrical, avant-garde level. Both brands love daring design, but Moooi’s creations are for those who want their lighting to be a maximalist, high-concept centerpiece tailored for the most adventurous interiors.
Shop now at moooi.com
17. Nordlux
Nordlux offers affordable Danish lighting design with a focus on simple, functional shapes and broad appeal. Their extensive range features minimalist pendants, sleek wall lamps, and practical table lamps in muted, easy-to-style palettes that make modern design accessible.
Where Kartell is often a splurge, Nordlux brings a similar modern aesthetic to a more budget-friendly price point. The styles are more streamlined and less experimental, making them a fantastic and stylish choice for practical, everyday lighting needs in a contemporary home.
Shop now at nordlux.com
18. Flos
Flos is a legendary Italian lighting brand that has collaborated with the titans of design for decades. Their collection features innovative, sleek, and often iconic fixtures that flawlessly blend artistry with cutting-edge technology. Each piece feels like a modern masterpiece.
Flos occupies a similar design-forward space as Kartell but often with a more minimalist, architectural, or technically sophisticated bent. Their pieces are equally statement-making and are essential for anyone building a truly luxe, modern interior straight from the design history books.
Shop now at flos.com
19. Vibia
Vibia is a lighting brand that thrives on creating modern, minimalist systems that are both modular and adaptable. Their sculptural pendants and clean-lined wall fixtures feature neutral tones and architectural forms, making them exceptionally versatile for a wide range of contemporary spaces.
Drawing on that same spirit of innovation as Kartell, Vibia channels it into more understated, elegant, and customizable lighting solutions. Their pieces are perfect for those who want to create a cohesive, layered lighting scheme with a quiet, sophisticated aesthetic.
Shop now at vibia.com
20. Cerno
Cerno produces modern, US-made lighting with a strong focus on natural materials like solid wood, leather, and metal. Their designs are sleek and functional but carry an inherent warmth, often featuring adjustable elements that add to their practical appeal and organic modernism.
If you're drawn to Kartell's modern shapes but wish they felt more natural and organic, Cerno is the answer. Instead of vibrant plastics, you get beautifully crafted fixtures that feel warm, textured, and inviting - perfect lighting for a stylish but relaxed modern home.
Shop now at cerno.com
21. Serge Mouille
The iconic mid-century fixtures of Serge Mouille feature dramatic, insect-like forms made of blackened metal. These highly sculptural and collectible chandeliers, sconces, and floor lamps are studies in line and shadow play, exuding a refined, "classic modern" presence that is instantly recognizable.
While rooted in a different era, Serge Mouille shares Kartell's appreciation for bold shapes that command a room. However, where Kartell is pop and colorful, Serge Mouille is timeless, graphic, and architectural - a truly classic choice for sophisticated Mid-Century modern interiors.
Shop now at serge-mouille.com
22. Ingo Maurer
Known as the "poet of light," Ingo Maurer created imaginative and whimsical fixtures that totally blur the lines between design, art, and technology. His collections are filled with inventive, fantastical, and often humorous works that are designed to do far more than just illuminate a room.
Ingo Maurer takes Kartell’s playful spirit and launches it into the stratosphere of pure artistry. This is lighting for the daring, for collectors, and for anyone who believes a light fixture can be a source of constant joy, surprise, and inspiration.
Shop now at ingomaurer.com
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