Behind Sunpan’s Entry Into Lighting

At the fall High Point Market, Sunpan continued to expand its design aesthetic to include lighting, accessories, outdoor and décor.   

With the mission “to design and distribute innovative and affordable on-trend furniture for inspired spaces around the world,” Toronto, Canada-based furniture company Sunpan has been gradually introducing additional product segments beyond its core furniture.

At the summer Las Vegas Market, the company launched sculptures, vases, barware and decorative accessories. And at the recent fall High Point Market, Sunpan introduced new lighting as well as statement game tables, throw pillows and outdoor products.  

Lighting News Now asked Franca Panetta, Sunpan’s senior manager of sourcing and product development, about the company’s thought process when it comes to the lighting category — especially since the assortment includes fixtures as well as portables. The company has continued to steadily add to the collection since its foray into lighting began in 2018.

“Lighting was a natural next step for Sunpan,” she said. “Our vision has always been to help designers build the whole room, from lighting to rugs to art, with pieces that work together across every category.”

Customer input also had a significant influence on the decision to expand the lighting collection. “Lighting is a highly competitive category, so we’ve been deliberate about where we play,” Panetta stated. “As with all our categories, our development decisions are informed by both customer buying patterns and broader trends. Rather than reacting to a single request, we look at sales across our full customer base to see where interest is building. Early on, we saw that the lighting designs resonating most were statement pieces that were large-scale, one-of-a-kind looks with strong materiality and color palettes that coordinate across our furniture and accessories.”

Panetta finds that the trend direction for furniture and accessories also translates to lighting. “Our latest lighting introductions reflect what we’re seeing across all our categories, from warm palettes and natural materials like wood and marble to sculptural shapes and chunky profiles,” she said. “The Nivi floor lamp is a good example. Its soft, flowing silhouette is enhanced by a fluted pattern, which is a detail that’s been trending for us everywhere from case goods to upholstery accents. Acacia wood is a very durable hardwood and its rich brown tones reflect the darker, warmer wood palette we’ve moved toward over the past year.”

Prior to the October market, Sundeep Bagga, president and CEO, commented, “Sunpan’s expansion into these new categories represents an exciting evolution of the design principles and craftsmanship that define our brand.”

As evidenced by last month’s High Point introductions, texture and tactility lead the way and are expressed through burl veneers, dramatic stone veining, bookmatched grain, and unexpected mixed-material pairings. In a press release, the company noted, “the newest categories share the signature materials and finishes as Sunpan’s core collection, ensuring a game table carries the same design integrity as a lounge chair or dining table.”

Added Fion Ho, director of product development, “This market is all about pieces that make a statement while complementing the space around them. We focused on bold shapes and natural materials that feel warm and inviting, so designers can mix them into a space as easily as they can feature them on their own.”