Designer Lighting Look-A-Likes: 10 Fixtures That Give A Big Bang For Your Buck

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Have you ever fallen in love with a light fixture just to realize that it is more than double your budget? I am all too familiar with finding the “perfect” option for a space just before realizing that the dream lighting fixture is far above the budget that I have to work within. Fortunately, there are many fixtures out there which can provide a similar aesthetic for a fraction of the cost.

Through this post, I want to highlight 10 great alternatives to designer light fixtures which will provide a similar look for a much less costly price tag. Coming from the design community, I certainly do not want to claim that the alternatives are going to be exact replicas of the original fixtures, as many of the name brand light fixtures are gorgeous with their thoughtful details, stunning finishes and well-designed visual presence. I do want to submit though that not everyone is in a position or has the desire to pay $500 per sconce or $1500 for a pendant fixture. Light fixtures with attractive style do not have to completely break the bank and should be able to enhance a room without sacrificing all aesthetics.

Design Comparison 1: Home Decorators Collection vs. Restoration Hardware

This first sconce comparison is between the 1-Light Matte Black and Antique Gold Wall Sconce from the Home Decorators Collection and the Bistro Globe Clear Glass Sconce in Bronze/Antiqued Brass from Restoration Hardware. From Home Depot, this first sconce comes in at $32.97 while the Restoration Hardware sconce punches a price of $399. The most noticeable differences between these two fixtures are the details on the backplate and the finishes. I personally have the Home Decorators Collection sconce in my home, so for me, the $366 savings was definitely worth it.

Design Comparison 2: Savoy House vs. Visual Comfort

Coming in several different finishes (4 total), this next comparison is between the Payton 2 Light 15-1/2″ High Wall Sconce (shown in polished nickel) by Savoy House and the Cross Bouillotte Large Sconce (also in polished nickel) from Visual Comfort. Per sconce, the Savoy House fixture boasts of a price tag of $202, while the Visual Comfort comes in at a retail price of $489. From first glance, the most specific difference beyond the price tag is the detail incorporated into the Cross Bouillotte Sconce. With a beautiful twisting “x”, a round backplate and candle snuffer like light holder, the Visual Comfort sconce is a fixture that exudes elegance. While not quite as detailed, the Savoy House fixture certainly has its merits and can provide an attractive look for a budget price, however my heart would stay with the more sophisticated features of the Cross Sconce.

Design Comparison 3: Capital Lighting vs. Visual Comfort

With another Visual Comfort light for review, the third comparison is between the Dawson 17″ Tall Wall Sconce in Aged Brass by Capital Lighting and the Go Lightly Sconce in Gild by Visual Comfort. With the Capital fixture at just under $100 ($98), it makes for a much more cost-effective option compared to the Visual Sconce which retails for $249. With both being 17” tall, having fabric shades and being simple designs, the most notable differences between these fixtures are the sharper curved arms and stronger gold finish of the Visual Comfort Sconce. Visual Comfort’s “Gild” finish is beautiful and is certainly a much truer gold, however I am not sure that just the finish alone would persuade me to make the $150 leap for the Go Lightly Sconce over the Dawson fixture.

Design Comparison 4: Maxim vs. Restoration Hardware

Bringing Restoration Hardware back into the mix, this next comparison falls between the Abode Single Light 17″ Tall Wall Sconce in Gold Leaf and Textured Black by Maxim and the 19th C. English Openwork Sconce in Gilded Iron by Restoration Hardware. Despite being one of the more expensive options shown so far, this Maxim lantern sconce ($274) still runs about $250 less expensive than the Restoration Hardware version ($525). Honestly, aside form the textured black candle base and the squared candle, these sconces are extremely similar. From online, the Restoration Hardware lantern does appear to have a more aged finish, however with the Gold Leaf finish, I would say that the Abode Lantern seems to hold its own pretty well and would still provide a great look. If a more aged aesthetic is what you are going for, the additional $250 might be worth it for you, however if that is not the priority, I think the Abode lantern is a solid choice.

Design Comparison 5: Mitzi vs. Visual Comfort

Moving from sconces to pendants, the first pendant comparison is between the Kiki 18” 1 Light Large Pendant Light by Mitzi and the Alborg Large Stacked Pendant by Visual Comfort’s Chapman & Myers collection. Off first glance, these fixtures have very similar forms, however their details and specifications do vary within this comparison perhaps more than the others we have examined thus far. As far as sizing goes, the Alborg Large pendant does span a width of 24” while the Kiki Large Pendant boasts of an 18” width. The height of both fixtures are almost identical so its vertical presence will be extremely similar. Beyond its varying widths, these two pendants also range within their finishes and materials. The Kiki Large Pendant features an Aged Brass detail and mounting plate with a Cream shade and black cord for suspension, while the Alborg Large Pendant features an Antique Burnished Brass detail, chain, and mounting plate with a Matte White shade. One of the largest differences between these pieces are their price tags. Coming in at around a third of the price of the Alborg, the Kiki fixture retails for $438, while the Alborg sits at a $1,429 price tag. From a strictly design perspective, I do prefer the wider brim and brass chain used on the Alborg pendant, however if your space can lend itself to either size, the lessened price of the Kiki fixture makes it a very strong contender.

Design Comparison 6: Millennium Lighting vs. Visual Comfort

With another pendant comparison featuring Visual Comfort’s Chapman & Myers collection, the Darlana Medium Lantern puts up a worthy fight against the Ritner 4 Light 16” Wide Taper Candle Pendant by Millennium Lighting. With extremely similar sizes and similar finish offerings, the largest difference between these fixtures is the more delicate structure of the Darlana fixture shown through the less sharply angled top portion of the lantern and the little lip under the taper candles. With an approximate $400 in savings, I would say that I would lean on the merits of the Ritner lantern ($237.90) as compared to the Darlana Medium Lantern ($659.00) due to them overlapping in so many of their key characteristics.

Design Comparison 7: Sea Gull Lighting vs Visual Comfort

As clearly a giant of the designer lighting industry, Visual Comfort enters the race again, but this time again Sea Gull Lighting. With even similar names, Sea Gull Lighting’s Kate 1-Light Satin Brass Cone Pendant With Clear Glass Shade is a very close match to the Katie Conical Pendant by Visual Comfort. While both utilize clear glass shades and almost the same dimensions, the Katie Conical Pendant does have other shade options including seeded glass and white glass, while the Kate Pendant does not. If only examining the clear glass offerings however, I would say only a discrepancy in the satin brass finish (Kate 1 Light Cone Pendant – $299.96) and the hand- rubbed antique brass (Katie Conical Pendant – $629.00) would not keep me from being drawn to the immense savings of the Kate 1 Light Cone Pendant.

Design Comparison 8: Hinkley Lighting vs. Visual Comfort

Our last pendant comparison is drawn between the Hinkley Lighting Cartwright Single Light 15.25”Wide Pendant and the Visual Comfort Lily Hanging Shade. Coming in at about half the price, the Cartwright Pendant is offered at $479, while the Lily Hanging Shade retails at $989. Beyond the price difference, the Cartwright fixture is offered in Rustic Brass, while the Lily Shade is available in a Natural Brass finish. I would say that the most distinct difference in these pendants is the design in which they hang. While the Cartwright fixture has three arms that connect to the shade and then mount upon one main pole extending to the ceiling, the Lily Hanging Shade showcases the three arms connecting to the shade and then extending all the way to the mounting plate at the ceiling. Again, on this comparison I am so torn, as I absolutely love the three arms extending the fixtures presence all the way to the ceiling, but the price tag of a similar aesthetic is extremely appealing!

Design Comparison 9: Troy Lighting vs Chelsea House

Moving away from Visual Comfort for a bit and into a couple of chandelier options, our next comparison features Troy Lighting’s Viola 8- Light Hand Worked Chandelier as opposed to Chelsea House’s 68005 Crystal Drops and Chains Chandelier. With a slightly taller fixture height, the Viola chandelier boasts of 8 lights, distressed Gold Leaf finish and crystal details. In comparison, the Chelsea House fixture showcases crystal designs and 6 lights for almost the same overall width. I do love the more refined and simplistic detail of the Chelsea House chandelier, especially considering the cut glass base cap at the bottom of the fixture and the rosette crystals within the chandelier strands, however such details come at quite a price of $2,580.88 per fixture. As the Troy Viola fixture retails at $1,006.00, I would probably have to lean towards this chandelier due to its substantially lower price tag. It does offer similar petal details at each candle base which are quite attractive and provide a similar feeling for the room.

Design Comparison 10: Troy Lighting vs. Visual Comfort

On a more modern approach, Troy also offers the Marcel F6296 chandelier to compare with Visual Comfort’s Fontaine Large Offset Chandelier. While not exactly the same, both chandeliers feature cone like shades atop dark bases. Shown in Aged Iron, the Fontaine chandelier is much more angular, while the Marcel fixture in Pompeii Bronze has more curved arms. In addition to the finish and structural differences, there is also the difference of the price tag. At around $770.00, the Marcel chandelier is about half of the $1,859.00 Fontaine chandelier retail price. Despite the large price difference, you definitely will have to think about the structural differences, as the Fontaine chandelier gives off a more modern vibe due to its geometric arms and closer shade bases.

Final thoughts

As you can see, design doesn’t always have to be compromised for the right price tag. Certainly, designer lighting has its merits and is stunningly gorgeous for a reason, but please know you don’t have to sacrifice all aesthetics to fit your budget. I personally love to mix and match designer looks (and sometimes designer pieces!) and budget fixtures like in these Whimsical and Transitional Save vs. Splurge schemes. By marrying fabulous pieces and fabulous prices, you can create a home that feels distinctly like you!

But…. What are your thoughts? Would you save money for a similar aesthetic, or do you hold true to your favorite brands?

Happy designing!!

Chloe

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