tech
December 25, 2025
‘Nostalgic and calming’: lava lamps are groovy again as sales glow
The British-made lamps have surged in popularity as younger audiences seek to recapture magic of the 1960s
TL;DR
- Lava lamps are experiencing a resurgence in popularity due to nostalgia, mid-century interior trends, and Gen Z's interest in the late 90s/early 2000s.
- British manufacturer Mathmos has seen rising sales and anticipates a strong festive season, with lamps often selling out.
- The appeal of lava lamps is linked to their nostalgic, calming, analogue, and soothing qualities, and their use in mindfulness.
- Mathmos, founded by inventor Edward Craven Walker, emphasizes its British heritage, authenticity, and handmade production process.
- The company's managing director, Cressida Granger, took over the business in 1989 and oversaw its renaissance after sales collapsed in the 1980s.
- The "lava" is a coloured wax suspended in water, heated by a bulb to create a hypnotic effect.
- Mathmos has collaborated with artists and designers, leading to popular sold-out limited editions.
- A significant community of collectors exists, with some owning hundreds of lava lamps.
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