What is Space Age design?
You’ve probably seen them before: lamps with rounded shapes, shiny chrome, colourful plastics or a futuristic silhouette that looks like it came straight out of a sci-fi movie. Chances are you were looking at a Space Age design without even realising it.
But what exactly is Space Age design? And why are these lamps still so loved decades later? Let me tell you a little more about this iconic design movement.
The origins of Space Age design
To understand Space Age design, we have to go back to the 1960s and 70s. The world was completely fascinated by space travel. The first moon landing, new technologies and an exciting vision of the future became a huge source of inspiration for designers.
Suddenly, everything seemed possible. You can see that feeling reflected in the furniture, lighting and home accessories from this period. Straight lines made way for rounded shapes, glossy materials and designs that looked wonderfully futuristic.
And although the name might make you think it was all about space, Space Age design was really about looking ahead. Designers wanted to create something new, playful and completely different from what had come before.
How do you recognise Space Age design?
Space Age design is often easy to spot, even if you don’t know the style by name yet.
Think rounded shapes, globe-like lampshades, shiny chrome, plastic and coloured glass. Some designs almost seem to float, while others have such unusual shapes that you can’t quite compare them to anything else. And that’s exactly what makes them so interesting.
While many interior styles are all about blending in, Space Age isn’t afraid to stand out. Yet somehow, it rarely feels too much. The designs are often surprisingly simple, with just that one cool detail that makes you look twice.
No wonder so many people fall for a Space Age lamp the moment they see one in real life.
The designers behind this iconic style
During the Space Age era, designers weren’t afraid to experiment with new shapes and materials. Joe Colombo, Verner Panton, Luigi Colani and Harvey Guzzini are just a few of the names associated with this exciting period in design.
Their work was innovative, bold and often way ahead of its time. In fact, many of the lamps they designed decades ago still look incredibly modern today.
That’s exactly why original Space Age lamps are so loved, not only by collectors, but also by anyone simply looking for something a little different for their home.
Why is Space Age design still so popular?
Maybe that’s the best thing about Space Age design. So many of these pieces were created in the 60s and 70s, yet they still feel surprisingly current.
A Space Age lamp instantly catches your eye, but at the same time it can look completely at home alongside modern furniture. The shapes are often clean and simple, while materials such as chrome and glass still feel fresh today.
And no, you definitely don’t need to turn your entire home into a 1970s time capsule. Space Age can look amazing in a modern interior. In fact, that contrast between old and new is often what makes it work so well.
How to style Space Age in a modern interior
A lot of people think that once they choose a bold vintage lamp, the rest of their interior has to match. Luckily, that’s really not the case.
Sometimes one special lamp is all you need to give a room more character. Hang a Space Age pendant above your dining table or place an eye-catching table lamp on a sideboard and let it do its thing.
Prefer a calmer look? Keep the rest of the room simple and give the lamp the attention it deserves. Or go in the complete opposite direction and embrace maximalism: mix different eras, colours and styles to create a fun, eclectic interior that feels completely your own.
That’s exactly what we love about vintage. Sometimes all it takes is one special piece to completely change the feeling of a room.