If you're a fan of minimalist lighting designs that feel both timeless and warm, you're likely familiar with Santa & Cole. The brand is celebrated for its sleek, functional fixtures that blend Scandinavian simplicity with a touch of Mediterranean soul, focusing on high-quality materials and understated elegance that lasts a lifetime.
For those who admire Santa & Cole’s dedication to elevated craftsmanship and quiet sophistication, there's a world of thoughtful lighting design to explore. Here are 19 similar brands that deliver modern style and exceptional quality.
1. Louis Poulsen
As a heavyweight in Danish lighting, Louis Poulsen is known for iconic, functional designs that master both form and shadow. The brand focuses on creating glare-free illumination through sculptural forms, as seen in classics like the PH and AJ series. Think of it as a go-to for industry-standard pieces that are guaranteed to look a hundred percent today and in fifty years.
While sharing Santa & Cole's commitment to quality, a Louis Poulsen piece feels more like a piece of design history - instantly recognizable and with a slightly more geometric edge than Santa & Cole's warmer, Mediterranean-inflected designs.
Shop now at louispoulsen.com
2. Flos
Flos is the Italian master of architectural lighting, where cutting-edge technology meets artistic expression. The brand offers everything from minimalist wall sconces to dramatic suspension lamps that feel like gallery installations. Their designs are for someone who wants to make a definitive modern statement.
Compared to Santa & Cole’s more restrained and classic forms, Flos pushes the boundaries with avant-garde fixtures and innovative materials. If you love modern design but seek a light that acts as a true centerpiece, Flos delivers luxury with a dramatic flair.
Shop now at flos.com
3. &Tradition
Danish brand &Tradition bridges the gap between heritage and modern innovation. Their lighting collection is defined by soft curves, warm materials like glass and brass, and a sense of inviting comfort. Pieces like the iconic Flowerpot lamp add a touch of playful nostalgia to impeccably crafted Scandinavian designs.
Like Santa & Cole, &Tradition prioritizes high-quality materials and timeless appeal, but their collection often leans into more sculptural and sometimes whimsical forms, making their lights feel both classic and charmingly contemporary.
Shop now at andtradition.com
4. Tom Dixon
Celebrated British designer Tom Dixon is known for creating lighting with an industrial-cool, slightly rock-and-roll vibe. His work is characterized by dramatic metallic finishes, bold geometric shapes, and a futuristic sensibility. Think molten metal pendants and mirrored globe chandeliers that draw immediate attention.
This brand is for someone who finds Santa & Cole's aesthetic a little too quiet. While both are modern, Tom Dixon's lights are undeniably designed to be focal points, bringing an edgy, sculptural energy to any space.
Shop now at tomdixon.net
5. Menu
Now part of the Audo Copenhagen house, Menu specializes in what it calls "soft minimalism." Their lighting fixtures are pared-back, deeply considered, and beautifully functional, often featuring clean lines and natural materials like marble, metal, and glass. Their aesthetic is perfect for creating serene, clutter-free environments.
Menu shares Santa & Cole's obsession with refined simplicity, but with a uniquely Scandinavian feel that is often more strict in its minimalism. If you value subtle sophistication and impeccable functionality, Menu is your brand.
Shop now at menuspace.com
6. Gubi
Gubi is a design curator, unearthing forgotten design treasures from the past and reintroducing them alongside contemporary creations. Their lighting collection is simultaneously vintage-inspired and modern, featuring elegant lines and luxurious materials. From the classic Multi-Lite pendant to the sophisticated Grashoppa floor lamp, their pieces often have a timeless, cinematic quality.
Sharing Santa & Cole's appreciation for craftsmanship, Gubi steps things up with a more eclectic, glamorous twist. It's a great choice if you're looking for lighting with a rich backstory and a touch of mid-century elegance.
Shop now at gubi.com
7. Artemide
An Italian brand synonymous with design innovation, Artemide produces lighting that seamlessly combines human-centric technology with sleek aesthetics. They're famous for highly functional task lamps like the Tolomeo, found in design studios worldwide, as well as sculptural pendants that showcase advanced LED technology.
Artemide's commitment to high-performance design sets it apart. While Santa & Cole focuses on creating warm, atmospheric light, Artemide excels at crafting technical, precise illumination for both commercial and residential settings.
Shop now at artemide.com
8. Hübsch
For those who admire the Nordic design ethos but need a more accessible price point, Hübsch delivers. This Danish brand offers cleanly designed, minimalist lighting with simple shapes and neutral finishes. Their pendant and wall lights bring that understated Scandinavian look without the eye-watering investment.
Hübsch offers the clean, elegant vibe of Santa & Cole distilled into more budget-friendly basics. It's an excellent source for stylish, everyday lighting to complete a room without breaking the bank.
Shop now at hubschnordic.com
9. Roll & Hill
American contemporary design at its finest, Roll & Hill crafts statement lighting that blurs the line between functional object and modern sculpture. Based in Brooklyn, they collaborate with independent designers to produce handcrafted fixtures with unique material combinations like brass, hand-blown glass, and wood.
While Santa & Cole champions restraint, Roll & Hill celebrates expression. Their collection of chandeliers and connected pendants is perfect for those who want an artistic, often modular show-stopper to define their space.
Shop now at rollandhill.com
10. Vibia
Based in Barcelona, Vibia specializes in beautifully minimalist and often customizable lighting systems. Their collections emphasize clean lines, slender profiles, and atmospheric illumination, allowing architects and homeowners to create truly bespoke lighting setups with pendants, wall lights, and floor lamps.
Like its Spanish contemporary Santa & Cole, Vibia embodies a less-is-more approach. The key difference is Vibia’s focus on versatility and modularity, offering systems that can be adapted to specific architectural needs.
Shop now at vibia.com
11. Normann Copenhagen
Normann Copenhagen puts a bold and playful spin on traditional Scandinavian design. Their lighting features simple geometric forms, often with an interesting detail, material choice, or a pop of unexpected color. The result is modern, approachable, and never boring.
The brand shares Santa & Cole's devotion to functionality, but injects a much more playful and experimental personality into its designs. It is a fantastic choice if you want clean lines with a bit more fun.
Shop now at normann-copenhagen.com
12. Moooi
Led by iconic designer Marcel Wanders, this Dutch powerhouse is famous for creating lighting that is imaginative, theatrical, and downright fantastical. Their collection includes everything from the whimsical Horse Lamp to magnificent, oversized pendants that serve as immersive art installations.
Moooi is the antidote to minimalism. Where Santa & Cole whispers, Moooi shouts with bold silhouettes and daring concepts. It’s the brand for anyone looking to add a touch of rebellion and maximalist magic to their home.
Shop now at moooi.com
13. Bover
Another excellent Barcelona-based brand, Bover creates lighting that balances contemporary forms with a soft, handcrafted spirit. They often use natural materials like woven fibers, wood, and fabric to give their modern silhouettes a warm, inviting glow. Their outdoor lighting collection is especially noteworthy.
Bover's vibe is closely aligned with Santa & Cole’s, but often with a more pronounced organic, Mediterranean flair. It's a great brand for bringing a touch of coastal warmth and texture into a sleek, modern space.
Shop now at bover.es
14. Verner Panton for Vitra
While Vitra is a design brand at large, its lighting collaborations, particularly with the late Danish designer Verner Panton, are legendary. Panton was a pioneer of futuristic, vibrant design, and his playful, psychedelic forms feel as fresh today as they did in the 1960s. The iconic Flowerpot and spherical pendant lamps are emblems of optimistic modernism.
This is a much more experimental direction than Santa & Cole's restrained classicism. Turn to Verner Panton’s designs when you want a splash of color, biomorphic curves, and unapologetic mid-century cool.
Shop now at vitra.com
15. Secto Design
This Finnish brand is the undisputed master of handcrafted wooden lighting. Using sustainably sourced Finnish birch, skilled artisans craft exquisite sculptural pendants and lamps that diffuse a gentle, warm light. The designs are unmistakably Scandinavian - minimalist, organic, and deeply connected to nature.
For those who love Santa & Cole’s clean lines but crave warmth and natural texture, Secto is the perfect fit. Their lights bring a serene, architectural quality to any room, beautifully marrying modern form with organic material.
Shop now at sectodesign.fi
16. Muuto
Rooted in the Danish design tradition, Muuto is all about bringing "new perspectives" to Scandinavian design. Their lighting collections are contemporary, functional, and infused with personality. They work with leading designers to create simple, honest objects - like the popular Unfold pendant lamp made of silicone rubber - that are both beautiful and useful.
Muuto shares Santa & Cole's appreciation for simplified forms but with a more forward-looking, colorful, and often material-driven approach. It’s perfect for adding a youthful, modern-Scandinavian touch to your home.
Shop now at muuto.com
17. Hay
HAY makes contemporary, high-quality design accessible. The Danish brand is praised for its cheerful, user-friendly approach to furniture and lighting. From its vibrant Rice Paper Shade collections to sleek table lamps like the PC Portable, HAY’s pieces are modern, affordable, and intelligently designed for everyday life.
Like Hübsch, HAY is an excellent, more wallet-friendly alternative to brands like Santa & Cole. It captures the essence of refined Danish design but delivers it with a fresh, colorful, and highly approachable attitude.
Shop now at hay.com
18. Foscarini
Italian lighting company Foscarini collaborates with hundreds of designers to create fixtures that feel like poetry translated into light and form. The brand is known for its incredible material innovation, using everything from fiberglass and carbon fiber to blown glass to produce iconic, emotive designs like the Caboche and Twiggy lamps.
If you're drawn to the artistry of Flos and Artemide but desire something softer and more lyrical, Foscarini is your answer. It offers the drama of Italian design with a deeply human and thoughtful touch, making each light a conversation piece.
Shop now at foscarini.com
19. Marset
Another brand from Barcelona, Marset is known for creating more than just lamps, they produce atmospheric tools that create serene and happy environments. Their designs are clever, innovative, and remarkably beautiful, from the witty FollowMe portable lamp to the elegant Discocó floral pendant.
Marset shares Santa & Cole’s Mediterranean warmth but with an added layer of inventive functionality and contemporary playfulness. They are masters of creating light with character and soul, making them a perfect final stop on your modern lighting search.
Shop now at marset.com
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