Unless you are designing a public space, an acoustic lampshade might not be an intuitive choice, but consider the difference in sound quality between a bare floor and one with a rug. An acoustic lampshade offers another level of sound absorption in a tiled kitchen or a room with concrete flooring, for example, and we happen to like the idea of unexpected material used in lighting. Here are 10 options to consider.
Above: The Muuto Under the Bell Pendant is designed by Aleksej Iskos and Boris Berlin of Danish studio Iskos-Berlin with a felt shade made in part from recycled plastic fiber and a rubber cord; $889 at Design Within Reach.
Above: The Bruck Lighting Delfina Acoustic Pendant, shown here in Ash, is available in nine shades of fine lamb’s wool. It’s a large size pendant measuring about 40 inches in diameter; $2,416
Above: Another style from Muuto, designed by Benjamin Hubert, the Strand Bell Pendant is made from small strands of cloud-like fabric material stretched across a steel bell-shaped frame; $427.20 to $793.60 at Lightology.
Above: From Zangra in Belgium, the Charlie Felt Acoustic Lamp is €107.03. Also available at Zangra, is a range of other felt acoustic lighting styles.
Above: From Dutch brand BuzziSpace, the felt BuzziShade Pendant is designed to absorb mid and high tones; starting at $2,223 from Lightology.
Above: The Docos Tense Tyvek Pendant Lamp is made of lightweight DuPont paper material with prices starting at $829.
Above: The Marset Djembe Suspension Lamp is designed by Joan Gaspar to light very large spaces (the pendant is about 40 inches in diameter) and available in four shades of rotary-molded polyethylene fabric; $4,185 at Lumens.
Above: The Axolight Velvet Acoustic Pendant is designed in a micro 2000 polyester and cotton fabric with a suede or velvet-like appearance. Prices start at $2,462 at Lightology.
Above: The Astep Isol Pendant Light designed by David Thulstrup is made of innovative Snowsound fabric to capture surrounding noise and improve acoustics in large spaces; $1,753 at Finnish Design Shop.
Above: The Pablo Bola Felt Pendant is made with a curved wool felt shade inspired by the shape of a hat surrounding an opaline glass globe; $995 at Design Within Reach.
For the full suite of our picks for pendant lighting, see our posts:
- 10 Easy Pieces: Clear Glass Pendant Lights
- 10 Easy Pieces: Silver Pendant Lights
- 10 Easy Pieces: Black Pendant Lights
- 10 Easy Pieces: White Globe Pendant Lights
- 10 Easy Pieces: Metal Pendant Lights
- 10 Easy Pieces: Fabric Pendant Lamps
- 10 Easy Pieces: Cone-Shaped Pendant Lamps
- 10 Easy Pieces: Minimalist Disc Pendant Lights
- 10 Easy Pieces: Colorful Glass Pendant Lights
- 10 Easy Pieces: Madcap Pendant Lights
