Good lighting is about more than function. It changes how a room looks, how you move through it and how it feels once it gets dark outside. Gubi from Copenhagen is one of the brands that has perfected this balance of function and aesthetics: its lamps have strong silhouettes, are technically well thought-out and carry a design history that goes back to the 1940s. When you buy a Gubi lamp, you're not just choosing a light source – you're choosing a piece that's here to stay.
Here are five standout Gubi lamps and what makes each of them unique.
Five Gubi lamps that bring a distinctive atmosphere to your home
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Why invest in a designer lamp?
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1. Gräshoppa floor lamp: a classic with character
Few lamps are as distinctive as the Gräshoppa. It was designed in 1947 by the Swedish-American designer Greta M. Grossman, who furnished homes in Los Angeles for stars including Greta Garbo and Ingrid Bergman.
The Gräshoppa's three-legged base tilts backwards, while the elongated conical shade pivots on its mount. This lets you direct the light exactly where you need it.
The Gräshoppa looks airy and sculptural and is ideal as a reading lamp next to your sofa or favourite armchair. It also works well as an alternative to traditional ceiling lighting.
2. Multi-Lite pendant light: light you shape yourself
A lamp that can change its appearance? The Multi-Lite pendant light, designed in 1972 by Louis Weisdorf, does exactly that – and belongs to the golden age of Danish design.
Its dynamic character comes from a play of shapes: two fixed cylinders and a slim ring form the base, while a hemispherical shade made of two freely movable halves directs the light.
It's this interplay that makes the lamp so versatile. Depending on how you position the shades, the light shines upwards, downwards or asymmetrically into the room. This changes both the effect and the uses of the lamp, turning it into something of an installation in your space.
3. Obello table lamp: the lamp that goes where you go
The Obello was designed in 1971 by the American designer Bill Curry, shortly before his death. More than half a century later, Gubi brought the historic design into series production.
With its striking mushroom silhouette and mouth-blown matt glass, the Obello is a true space-age object. This portable lamp has been reimagined: it's cordless, has an integrated dimmable LED and, thanks to its rechargeable battery, goes wherever you take it.
On the balcony, in the garden or in the living room, the Obello creates a harmonious atmosphere wherever you place it, while also making an eye-catching statement.
Love that mushroom shape? Then explore our full range of mushroom lamps.
4. Semi pendant light: clear geometry
The Semi pendant light was created in 1968 as a collaboration between Claus Bonderup and Torsten Thorup. The pair deliberately set out to counter the soft, organic design language that dominated Denmark's "cosy" era at the time, with sharp lines and a clear geometric form.
The shade is made of two quarter circles placed back to back. It casts a soft, cone-shaped light, which works particularly well over a dining table or kitchen island.
In the 1980s, as the best-selling Danish design lamp of its day, the Semi pendant light gained worldwide recognition and became a true design icon.
5. Timberline table lamp: playful form, calm materials
The Timberline was designed and produced in the 1970s by Mads Caprani and achieved bestseller status almost immediately.
Its curved, organic form combines natural materials – a wooden spine in oak and birch – with a cast-iron base. The canvas shade is folded into even pleats and looks both elegant and playful.
With its warm presence, the Timberline instantly makes sideboards, shelves and bedside tables feel cosier. Especially in the darker months, this small light source can become an important part of your everyday life.
What makes Gubi lighting so special
These five lamps have more in common than you might notice at first glance. They all follow the principles that have shaped Gubi for decades:
- Design history, brought into the present. Gubi reissues classics such as the Gräshoppa and the Multi-Lite, working closely with the designers' heirs. The portable versions of the Obello and the Multi-Lite show how historic designs can be reimagined with modern technology.
- Light as a design tool. Adjustable shades, dimming functions and directional light go beyond pure function. They turn each lamp into a tool for shaping how your room looks and feels.
- Clear forms, genuine materials. The focus is on distinctive shapes that never feel overbearing, combined with timeless materials that have a natural feel, such as metal, mouth-blown glass and fabric. Small, thoughtful details complete the collections.
- Longevity over trends. Many Gubi designs are more than 50 years old, yet their timeless character keeps them relevant today. That's what makes them an investment that proves its worth year after year.
