Lanterns have made a huge comeback in a variety of shapes and sizes, forms and figures in the last few years. No longer used as a main method of illumination, lanterns now have the ability to branch out and be used purely for decorative purpose -- giving them a much greater breadth for experimentation.
From DIY glowing containers that allow you to turn a simple mason jar into an illuminating wonderland to sea creature light sculptures, mystical lanterns are a magical way to spice up any room or backyard party. Innovation has hit the lighting world in a big way and led to some incredible creations that merge utility and beauty to create functional art for any style.
75 Mystical Lanterns
From Efflorescent Floral Lanterns to Marvelous Mulitasking Illuminators:
Jennifer Gosnell — Jul 7, 2012 — Art & Design
75
DIY Glowing Containers
The 'From Panka with Love' Blog Shows How to Make Glow-in-the-Dark Jars
74
DIY LED Party Balloons
Sharon Vaknin Shows How to Light up Any Occasion
73
Slinky Worm-Like Lighting
Anthony Dickens' Tekio Lamp Forms Into Any Shape Desired
72
Marvelous Mulitasking Illuminators
The Bosavi Multipurpose Light Brightens Up the Dark
71
Milk Jug Art
iPlay Patio Lanterns
70
Modern Candle Lanterns
The Enever Design 'CANDELA' is Targeted to the Younger Generation
69
Propane-Inspired Lighting
The BBQ Lamp by La Firm is Sure to Fire Up Your Interior Decor
68
Illuminating Eco Architecture
The Lantern Pavilion Sheds Light on Sustainable Design
67
Sky Lanterns
Paper Hot Air Balloons, add Fire, let Go
66
Handcarved Vintage Lighting
The Menlo Park Lamp by The Dapper Llama Has a Sophisticated Appeal
65
Efflorescent Floral Lanterns
Tomomi Sayuda Daydream Series Blooms into Light
64
Green Garden Lights
The Solar Soji Lanterns are an Eco Way to Light Up Your Outdoor Space
63
Tote Bag Lighting
The Hobo Lantern by Molo Design is Both Eco-Friendly and Portable
62
Agriculture-Inspired Houseware
The 'Farming-net' Collection by Nendo is Whimsically Delicate
61
Inflatable Illuminated Pavilions
The Fantastic Trailer by Cheryl Baxter Glows in the Evening
60
Prismatic Origami-Like Lighting
Lukas Dahlen's Ori Pendant Lamp Sheds a Golden Glow
59
Glowing Translucent Structures
Hidemi Nishida's Fragile Shelter Looks Like an Oversized Lantern
58
Bent Tubular Illuminators
The Porcelain Chandelier Has a Crooked Sense of Material and Form
57
Solar LED Capsules
'Capsuli' Spreads Eco-Friendly Light In Case Of Emergency
56
Clay-Made Tentacle Lanterns
The Scott Musgrove 'Walktopus' is an Enormous Light-Up Octopus
55
Woven Lantern Lighting
Benjamin Hubert's Loom Pendant Lamps are Intricate and Simple
54
Cardboard Campfire Lighting
Let the Urban Camper Project by Chieh-Ting Huang Light Up Your Life
53
Classy Caged Illuminators
Elite Wire Lamps Explore the Limits of their Bent Bar Materiality
52
Sea Creature Light Sculptures
The Oïphorique by Atelier Oï Celebrates 20 Years of The Sw
51
Vertical Modular Lighting
The Raising Lantern by Studio Lawrence is stackable
50
Handmade Copper Lighting
Bella Luz Studios's Illuminated Copper-Framed Art Panels
49
Glowing Water Bottles
The Sollight Lightcap is an Eco Lamp & Canteen
48
Chinese Lantern Lighting
Kieser Spath's Aria Lamps are Warm and Atmospheric
47
Slithering Light Sculptures
The Tekio Art Installation Displays the Fixture's Adaptability
46
Plant-Shaped Lighting
Alberto-Sanchez Uses Nature as Inspiration for His Designs
45
Modern Asian Lamps
The Shanghai Lamp Blends Modernity and Tradition Beautifully
44
Flower-Shaped Lantern Installations
Kimsooja's Lotus: Zone of Zero Encourages a Moment of Peace
43
Woven Lantern Covers
These Knit Lamp Shades by Kenneth Cobonpue are Smoothing and Chic
42
Contemporary Chinese Lights
The 'Ning' Lamp by Studio Pinwu is a Modern Revamp
41
Crystal Paper Lights
The Swarovski-Inspired Amplify Lanterns by Yves BéHar
40
Laser Cut Lanterns
Boxy Wooden Lighting by Curious Customs is Versatile
39
Eco Collapsible Lanterns
Jesper Jonsson's Solar-Powered Lamp is Conveniently Compact
38
Large Lantern-Like Lighting
Ben Werkt's 'ben HELDER' Series is Based on the Golden Ratio
37
Stacked Solar Lamps
The Leaf Lantern is a Leafy Eco Illuminator
36
Gravity-Controlled Lamps
The Tulip Lantern Has Over 100 Hours of Battery Life
35
Crimson Carboard Illuminators
The Red Honeycomb Lamp by Kyouei Design is Clever and Fun
34
Liquified Light Shades
The 'Oups Lamps' by Nathalie Bernollin Celebrate Accidental Art
33
Brightly Bonded Lighting
The Vitamin Knot Pendant Light Boasts a Monkey Fish Knot
32
Fashionable Solar Illuminators
The Aahana Solar Lantern Bracelet is Designed for India
31
Oceanic Lifeform Lanterns
Roxy Russell Crafts Illuminators Inspired by Aquatic Creatures
30
Convenient Camp Lighting
The Snow Peak Hozuki LED Lantern Features a Flickering Candle Mode
29
Flower Shadow Lighting
The Chrysalis Floor Lamp is Both Subtle and Bold
28
Japanese-Style Room Heaters
The GreenBox Concept isn't Just Full of Hot Air
27
Low-Cost Solar Lanterns
D.Light Design Wins Ashden Award for a Lamp Brighter than Kerosene
26
Chinese Lantern Lighting
The Bat-Yam Biennale 'Skylight' Will Light Up Your World
25
Vintage Solar Lamps
Sunnyside Up Solar's Signature SUS Bulb Lamp Provides Retro Illumination
24
Design-Focused LED Lanterns
‘d.light’ Offers Affordable Solar Lamps to Rural Communities
23
Radiant Raindrop Fixtures
The Drops Lamp Demonstrates its Weight as it Drips from the Ceiling
22
Moderntique Lanterns
The Lampe H Brings Back the Aesthetics of Vintage Lighting
21
DIY Outdoor Holiday Decor
The Christmas Tree Lantern Can Be Used Year-Round
20
Wall-Hanging Illuminators
The Louxor Lantern is a Flexible Way to Light up the Room
19
Record-Breaking Beacons
The 12,740 Lantern Release in Romania Lights up the Sky
18
Giant Red Lanterns
Flammea Himmelslaterne Set Mood For Romance
17
Sweet Treat Fixtures
The Giant Ice Cream Cone Lamp is a Hilarious Confection
16
Accordion Camping Lamps
The UFO Light is a Compact and Efficient Illuminating Object
15
Cordless Mood Lighting
Simone Spalvieri & Valentina del Ciotto's Green Man is Eco-Friendly
14
Topographical Lanterns
The Erwin Zwiers 'Twisted Lights' Manipulate Natural Materials
13
Minimalist Headlamp-Lanterns
The Snow Peak SnowMiner is For Winter Campers
12
Braided Globe Lights
Knotty Bubbles by Lindsey Adelman Will Bring a Bubbly Personality Indoors
11
Luminescent Logo Projectors
The Green Lantern Projection Ring Shows Allegiance
10
LED Garden Lights
These Solar Lanterns Are Eco-Friendly and Stylish
9
Headlamp-Lantern Hybrids
The Gorillatorch Switchback Can Be Used Personally or Socially
8
Cozy Candle Homes
The Lighthouse Lantern Presents a Danish Design
7
Nostalgic LED Lamps
The Little Thoughts Group LED Lantern Lets You Camp Without the Fumes
6
Floating Lightbulbs
Kyouei Design Creates Hanging Bulb Lanterns
5
Literal Green Lanterns
Rotterdam-Based BYTR Architects to Plant Hanging Eco Street Lights
4
Luminous Lantern Lights
Mathias Hahn Encapsulates Rugged Sophistication in the Lantern Light
3
Reflector Lanterns
Steve Halterman Creates a Colorful Twist on Decor
2
Starry Ceiling Projections
The 'HomeStar Aqua' is Your Own Personal Twinkling Planetarium
1
Spiky Sculptural Lighting
James Clar's ‘Spike Light' Looks Like a Giant Weapon
Related Ideas
Minimalist Mysterious Lamp Designs
The Auge Light Mini Offers Targeted and Ambient Illumination
Minimalist 3D-Printed Lamps
The Hula Lamp by Felix Pöttinger for Gantri Boasts a Clever Design
Bubble-Inspired Pendant Lights
The Conceptual 'Bubbles' Lighting Design by Begüm Kılınç is Playful
Illusory Multidimensional Lamps
The 'Drop Light' from SWNA Prioritizes a Shifting Perspective
Multipurpose Camping Lights
The 'Prometheus 1' Offers Lantern and Lighter Functionality
Glowing Power-Free Lamp Designs
The 'NISSHOKU' Lamp is Cordless Yet Battery-Free
Laser-Cut Customization Lamps
The SAYA Light Comes in Four Models to Choose From
Elegant Geometric Light Fixtures
Theodora Alfredsdottir Designs the Composition Lights
Fireplace-Inspired Campsite Lanterns
The LEACCO Camping Lantern Has an IPX4 Rating
Vintage-Inspired Candle Designs
The Maker Offers a Selection of Candles at Sephora
Sleep-Enhancing Bedtime Lamps
The Loftie Lamp is Gentle, Stylish, and Functional
Aromatic Time-Tracking Mood Lights
The 'Focus' Aroma Diffuser Mood Lamp Helps with Focus
Posh Paper Craft-Inspired Lamps
The Japandi Lamp by Natalia Pogudina is Textural and Organic
Candle-Inspired Lightbulbs
The Velaflame Replicates the Pattern of a Flickering Flame
Removable Head Portable Lamps
The Lexon Orbe Encourages a Person to Interact with It
Malleable Connected Illuminators
The Conceptual Pofu Lamp Encourages Interaction
Modernized Lantern Illuminators
The Ambientec MADCO Has a Cordless Design
Ethereal Space-Inspired Lamps
The 'Wormhole' Table Lamp by Will Gibbons is Meditative
Reusable Eco-Friendly Candles
The Sustainable Flames Reusable Candle Jar Reduces Waste
Digitized Gas Lamp Lanterns
The Conceptual 'AUGE' Camping Lantern Modernizes a Classic
Self-Watering Multifunctional Planters
Moss Develops the Grow Lamp to Simplify Gardening
Plant-Based Table Lamps
Craighill and Gantri Release a Minimalist Plant-Based Lamp
Mesmerizing Aroma Diffuser Lamps
The 'Aroma Lava' Lamp is Visually and Aromatically Stimulating
Garden-Inspired Smartphone Chargers
The Mini Moonlit Desk Garden by Seunghyuk Shin is Meditative
Modern-Themed Collaborative Lights
Mitzi Joins Eny Lee Parker on a Lighting Capsule
Daylight-Mimicking Floor Lamps
The Brighter Floor Lamp Delivers 50,000 Lumens
Anti-Mosquito Camping Lanterns
The Thermacell EL55 Creates a 20-Foot Insect Protection Zone
Colourful Ambient Lamp Designs
The Neon Crystal Cube by ZK Wong Combines Art and Utility
Smoky Illumination Floor Lamps
The 'Brume' Sunset Lamp Burns Incense for Multi-Sensory Effect
Simplistic Angular Desktop Illuminators
The Linear Table Lamp Plays with Shadow and Light Effects
Traditional Tower-Inspired Lamps
The 'Pagoda Lamp' Takes After Pagodas for a Thoughtful Form
Recycled Material Pendant Lights
These ZBOZHZHA Pendant Lights are Made with Cardboard and Paper
Mixed Material Pendant Lights
The Gant Pendant Lights Show Off an Industrial Aesthetic
Melt-Resembling Portable Lamps
The Melt Light by Tom Dixon Illuminates for 10 Hours
Exquisite Time Lapse Candles
Shantell Martin and Joya Studio Launch XL Porcelain Candles
Illuminating Aroma Diffusers
Focus by Gian Luigi Singh Combines an Aroma Diffuser and a Mood Lamp
Alternative Energy Illuminators
The IKEA x Little Sun 'SAMMANLÄNKAD' Collection is Elegant
Plant-Inspired Table Lamps
The 'Palmetto' Lamp by Patrik Hartog Offers Ambient Light
Suspended Halo Light Fixtures
The 'Lamplox' Minimalist Floor Lamp by Mehan Nerve is Artistic
Nostalgic Light Installations
Toronto's Illuminarium is Launching 'LITE-BRITE: Worlds of Wonder'
Wide-Angle Campsite Flashlights
The Fenix CL28R Rechargeable Lantern Maximizes Illumination
Flame-Free Candle Warmers
The Retro Candle Warmer Lamp Doubles the Life of Candles
Palm-Sized Outdoor Lanterns
The BioLite AlpenGlow Mini Prioritizes Compactness and Capability
Zen Workstation Illuminators
The 'Bonsai' Desk Lamp by Jang Lee Jun Has a Peaceful Form
Earthy Terracotta Tablet Lamps
The 'TerraLume' Table Lamp by Yashi Jivnani is Touch-Enabled
Modern Marble Waste Lamps
The Sole Lamp by Hadiye Ozdemir is Luxurious and Eco-Friendly
Adaptable Campsite Illuminators
The BEYONDOP LED Camping Lantern Has a Three-in-One Design
Luxurious Sculptural Candle Holders
Âncora Seeks to Elevate the Role of Candles in the Home
Stunning Mushroom-Shaped Table Lamps
Terrence Woodgate & Case Furniture Collaborate on This Piece
Tunnel-Like Wall Lamps
Nicolai Haastrup Creates the Endless Wall Lamp for Design by Us
Inaugural Paper Lantern Festivals
Singapore Will Host Its First Sky Lantern Festival
Whimsical Joint Lighting Collections
Rakumba and Tom Fereday Join Forces on the Port Collection
Ultra-Flexible Lamp Designs
The Anywhere-Use Lamp is Slick and Extremely Versatile
AR-Powered Gift Sets
The Moonglow Gift Set Celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival
Earthy Sophisticated Lighting
Carmen Nash Designs the Folk and Flora Series for Troy Lighting
Geometric Industrial Desktop Lamps
The 'Nebula' Lamp from the COG Design Studio is Efficient
Pop-Up Reading Light Lamps
The Nightside NS01 Personal Task Lamp Has a Patented Design
Naturalistic Biophilic Lamp Designs
The Bioo Lamp Turns On and Off by Touching the Succulent
Calming Orb Lamps
Studio Waah's Orb Lamp is Minimalist and Eye-Catching
Elegant Avian-Inspired Illuminators
The Flamingo Mini Light Features a Sleek Aesthetic
Nostalgic Seasonal Candle Collections
The Yankee Candle Bright Lights Collection Has Five Scents
Portable Mushroom-Like Illuminators
The 'ICHI' Table Lamp Has a Simple, Modular Design
Vintage-Inspired Camping Lanterns
The MAX LANTERN Has a Three-in-One Design for Campsite Use
Artistic Shadow Play Illuminators
Frero Tala Asa Light Objects are Handmade in North Carolina
Multifunctional C-Shaped Illuminators
The Conceptual 'C-lamp' Can Be Placed on a Surface or Hung
Glowing Tree-Surrounded Sheds
The 'Nightlight' Shed Glows After Dark for a Luminous Appearance
Orb Lighting Installations
Teamlab's Mangrove Island is an Innovative Display of Lights and Color
Modernized Retro Lamp Collections
The Mathmos Astro Lava Lamp Collection Has Five Models
Adjustable Playful Table Lamps
Flos Presents Two Sets of Lamps during Milan Design Week 2023
Cylindrical Magnetic Tripod Lanterns
The SinHanker Telescopic Lantern Works in a Variety of Ways
Optical-Illusion Home Decor Collections
Sevval Kalaycikli Designs a Series of Light & Glass Tables
Blown Glass-Inspired Lighting Capsules
Gauzak Design Studio Creates the Luisa Collection of Light
Luxe Refillable Candle Holders
Diptyque Creates Glass Holders for the Les Mondes de Diptyque
Illusory Mirror Lamp Designs
The 'Spegla' Mirror Table Lamp Has an Industrial Form
Balloon-Like Lighting Series
Lladró and Nichetto Studio Present the Soft Blown Light Collection
Cosmic-Inspired Lamp Collections
Rollo Studio Presents the New Aureole Collection of Lighting
Indoor Gardening Glowing Petunias
Light Bio Shines a Spotlight on the Enchanting Firefly Petunia
Cutesy Coiled Floor Lamps
The Helix Lamp by Liam de la Bedoyere Has a Playful Construction
Japanese Lantern-Inspired Lamps
Eilsa Ossino Designs the Madco Table Lamo for Ambientec
Eclipse-Inspired Whimsical Pendant Lamps
Maro Designs the Otherworldly Space Traveler Lamp
Opulent Outdoor Lamp Designs
The GUBI Seine Portable Lamp Has a Modernist Feel
Flower-Filled Humidifiers
The 'Potpourri' Aromatherapy Humidifier by Yong Zhang is Eye-Catching
Extending Illuminator Camping Lanterns
The 'Fezoom' Outdoor Camping Lantern Works in Multiple Ways
Origami-Inspired Lit Table Concepts
Sonakshi Gupta Designs the Dynamic LightUP Concept
Chandelier-Shaped Self-Watering Vases
Yeonsu Ra Designs a Beautiful Centerpiece for the Home
Jewelry-Holding Flower Vases
The Mirror Vase Stand Has a Minimalist Yet Multifunctional Form
Recycled Ocean Plastic Lighting
LightArt Presents the Ocean Coil Collection of Lamps
Storage-Friendly Task Lights
The Conceptual 'He Yi' Storage Lamp Has Space for Stationery Items
Origami-Inspired Vase Lamps
The Gingko Smart Vase Light Offers Ambient Illumination and More
Otherworldly Lighting Fixture Designs
Ross Gardam Uses Dark Disks for This Stunning Design
Paper-Inspired Half-Folded Lamps
Jihoon Shim Designs the Half Lamp Inspired by Origami
Productive Mood Lighting Designs
Teixeira Design Studio Presents Moody Lighting for Gantri
Telescoping Outdoor Lanterns
The Devos Outdoor LightRanger Offers 1,200-Lumens of Brightness
Suspended Origami-Like Lighting
The Sora Light by Fung + Bedford for Frandsen is Artistic
Hanging Lantern-Like Table Lamps
The Woodo Table Lamp by Mahmoud Mahroos is Charming
Ethereal Lunar Wall Illuminators
The 'Luna Piena' Wall Lamp by Simay Tokus is Otherworldly
Geometric Bar-Like Lighting
The Empyrean Collection Resembles Rounded Illuminated Blocks
Origami-Inspired Cubic Lamps
Alice Chun Designs the MEGAPUFF Lamp with Portable Features
Futuristic Totemic Lighting Series
Jeremy Anderson Designs a Set of Floor Lamps for Space Relics
Mushroom-Inspired Table Lamps
Humble Lights and APE Amsterdam Design the Two Lamp Silhouette
Stylish Moquito-Repeling Candles
Murphy's Naturals Refillable Mosquito Repellent Candle is Chic
Moon-Inspired Column Lights
Olivier Vitry’s MOONLIGHT Collection Adds a Dose of Texture
Umbrella-Inspired Whimsical Lamps
Solenn Roch Designs the Wasaga Lamp with a Flared Look
Lighthouse-Inspired Portable Lamps
Patricia Perez Designs the Mouro Lamp for Case Furniture
Instrument-Inspired Wall Lamps
The Louis Collection by Sara Schoenberger Honors a Jazz Musician
Retro-Tinged Compact Lamps
Karakter Designs the Lari Mini Lamp with a Soothing Theme
Nature-Inspired Colorful Glass Vases
delaO design studio Creates the New Anemona Collection
Ancient Rome-Inspired Lighting
Superlife Presents the ROMANA Light Collection with Ancient Roots
Compact Geometric Portable Lamps
&Tradition Designs the Portable Pivot Lamp
Cube-Shaped Gaming Lights
Yeelight is Elevating the Lighting Market with its New Product
Nature-Inspired Lighting Series
The Team at LFD Official Creates the BIOMES Lighting Capsule
Middle Eastern Jewelry-Inspired Lights
Apparatus Introduces its New Median Collection of Lighting
Industrial Trio Lighting Series
Nao Iwamatsu Designs the New LOTUS Lighting Series
Soothing Wall-Mounted Illuminators
The Upton Wall Lights Come in Three Styles
Dual-Function Gas Lanterns
The 'Beacon Lantern' Works for Lighting and Cooking
Vintage Projector Puzzle Kits
The LEGO Magic Lantern by Norders is a Functional Projector
Colorful Cubic Smart Lamps
The Neon Crystal Cube Light Evokes Vibrant Gradient Illumination
Wireless Lamp Renditions
The Tom Dixon Portable Collection Features Cordless Designs
Bright Whimsical Home Accessories
Blue Balcony Design Studio Delivers a Range of Vibrant Decor
Sparkling Illuminated Festive Wreaths
The Starry Wreath Readies for the Holiday Season
Smart Fairy Lights
Globe Electric's Smart Fairy Lights Elevate Any Room
Fire Connection-Inspired Candleholders
Charles Kalpakian Designs Candleholders with Eldvarm
Childhood-Inspired Magnetic Lighting
The Orbe by Nelson Fossey is Sleek and Easily Portable
Levitating Dynamic Ring Lamps
Inovaxion Designs the Levitos Ring Lamp with Various Functions
Multifunctional Rechargeable Desk Lamps
Xiaomi Launch MIJIA Multifunctional Rechargeable Desk Lamp
Street Light-Inspired Floor Lamps
Muller Van Severn Designs the Standing Lamp Marble
Discarded Theater Screen Lamps
Haneul Kim Transforms Waste into Lighting Designs
Archetypal Conical Light Designs
The Fragile Lamp by Jaume Ramírez Has a Timeless Look
Gothic Wooden Desk Lamps
The Gothic Table Lamp is a DIY Project and Interacts with Music
Geometric Nostalgic Night Lights
Sergey Buldygin Designs the Cone-Like Handmaid Table Lamp
Plant-Supporting Pendant Lights
The Soltech Aspect LED Growlight Has a Pendant-Style Design
Vintage-Inspired Candle Lamps
Retro Candle Lamp Warms Up Scented Candles Without Lighting Them
Antique-Style Building Block Lamps
This LEGO Ideas LED Lamp Has a Tiffany-Style Aesthetic
Mist-Making Genie Toys
Moose Toys' Magic Mixies Magic Lamp Inspires Magical Wish-Making
Dimmable Structural Table Lamps
Tala Designs the Mantle Lamp to Illuminate Dining Tables
Colorful Geometric Desk Lamps
J Schatz Presents its New Range of Spot On Desk Lamps
Task-Managing Dynamic Lamps
The Fall Lamp Concept is Made to Keep Users Focused and Productive
Bulbous Whimsical Lighting Series
Jumbo Designs the Neotenic Collection for Petite Friture
Removable Illuminator Lamp Designs
The Frandsen Grasp Lamps by Thomas Albertsen are Charming
Vibrant Dynamic Fastasia Designs
Front Designs a Set of Magical Conceptual Forms for Moooi