Louis Poulsen
Louis Poulsen
Est. 1874
About
Louis Poulsen is a Danish lighting manufacturer based in Copenhagen, known for Scandinavian lighting design and for decorative and architectural fixtures developed with leading designers. It is closely associated with the principle of shaping and softening light to reduce glare, and many of its products are widely regarded as classics of twentieth-century lighting design. The company was founded in Copenhagen in 1874. It began in a different line of business and moved into electrical supplies and then lighting as electricity spread through the city, gradually establishing itself as a lighting house. Over the following decades it became one of Denmark's most important lighting manufacturers, with a heritage now spanning more than 150 years. Louis Poulsen is particularly identified with its long collaboration with the designer Poul Henningsen, whose "PH" lamps — based on a system of layered shades that direct light and reduce glare — include enduring products such as the PH 5 and the PH Artichoke (PH Kogle). The company also produced lighting by the architect Arne Jacobsen, including the AJ lamp designed for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, and has worked with other Danish and international designers. These designs remain central to its catalogue. The company's products span pendant, table, floor and wall lighting for homes as well as architectural and outdoor lighting for public and commercial spaces. Its design approach consistently emphasises the quality and comfort of the light itself, a principle running through both its historic and contemporary collections. In 2018 Louis Poulsen was acquired by the investment group Investindustrial, having previously been under other ownership. Its lighting is sold internationally through design retailers, lighting specialists and project channels, and is used in residential, hospitality, architectural and public-space settings. As a long-established Danish lighting house, Louis Poulsen combines an archive of design classics with ongoing production for contemporary interiors.
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Common Questions
Louis Poulsen is based in Copenhagen, Denmark, where it was founded. It sells internationally through design retailers, lighting specialists and project channels. Its lighting is used in residential, architectural and public-space settings.
Louis Poulsen was founded in Copenhagen in 1874. It moved into electrical supplies and then lighting as electricity spread through the city, and grew into one of Denmark's leading lighting manufacturers. Its heritage now spans more than 150 years.
Louis Poulsen is known for Scandinavian lighting design that shapes light to reduce glare. It is especially associated with the "PH" lamps designed by Poul Henningsen, such as the PH 5 and PH Artichoke, and with the AJ lamp by Arne Jacobsen. These designs are widely regarded as lighting classics.
Louis Poulsen was acquired in 2018 by the investment group Investindustrial, having previously been under other ownership. It continues to operate as a distinct Danish lighting brand. Its products remain rooted in its long Danish design heritage.
Louis Poulsen products are sold internationally through design retailers, lighting specialists and project channels, for both residential and architectural use. Buyers typically purchase through these official channels. furniture.directory is an independent directory and does not sell furniture directly.