LYFA was founded in 1903 and initially named Kjøbenhavns Lampe- og Lysekronefabrik (Copenhagen Lamp and Chandelier Factory) with KLLF as the abbreviated version. At the beginning of the 1930s, the name was changed to LYFA. Taking the LY from 'Lysekrone' and the FA from '-fabrik' as a homage to the origin of the business and how it all began.

LYFA is known for its use of the symbolic sun boat visualised in the logo. The sun boat is an immemorial Nordic symbol and rock engravings that origin all the way back to the early Bronze age - chosen as a metaphor to state that LYFA brings light to Danish homes.

The new LYFA logo pays homage to the former logo by reusing the glowing sun behind the sun boat in a new and contemporary manner. The sun boat logo symbolizes the orbit of the sun across the sky and when shining down upon LYFA, dark shadows appear and form the outlines of the four letters.

Since 1903, one of the founding principles of LYFA has been to create lighting designs for all occasions and to be the light in the daily life (‘Lyspunkter i tilværelsen’). During the life span of LYFA, the entire corporation has revolved around the concept of designing the good light in all its facets and shapes. Today, we have termed it 'Lightscapes' but the purpose and fundamental concepts remain the same. LYFA crafts and explores lighting designs that build on decades of proud traditions within Danish design.

LYFA has since the 1930s won multiple international design awards for their spectacular lamps such as the Gold Medal at the World Fair 1929 in Barcelona and once again in 1935 in Brussels for the RA pendant. LYFA became famous for producing high-quality lighting, which took advantage of new technologies and materials. By the 1950s, LYFA had become an important and significant innovator working with prominent Danish architects and designers such as Piet Hein, Finn Juhl and Bent Karlby.

Bent Karlby started his collaboration with LYFA in the 1940s, which was a partnership that would last more than three decades. He is known for his soft light, organic shapes and hallmark peepholes. During his career, Karlby moved more towards pure geometric shapes such as the cone, cylinder and arc along with playful colours. Today, his most iconic designs include the MOSAIK, PAN and PEANUT series and he is regarded as one of the most productive and versatile lighting designers in Denmark.

In 1962, Simon P. Henningsen unveiled a new pendant designed for the famous Divan 2 restaurant –a highly unique and spectacular pendant that was later bestowed with several Danish and international awards. DIVAN 2 was put into production by LYFA and in the years ahead, Simon P. Henningsen expanded his collaboration with LYFA and continued to explore theatrical light and the effects of colours. Today, the work of Simon P. Henningsen is characterised by a distinctive geometric aesthetic and his use of shimmering surfaces – and DIVAN 2 stands as his masterpiece.

During the 1970s when Pop Art was trending, LYFA began to explore new shapes, materials and colours. The early editions of the PAN wall lamps had colourful insides and the first ERGO lamps came in popping colours such as bright orange and a vivid green made from plastic. The materials and colours are true to the 1970s space-age inspiration and the zeitgeist surrounding this decade within Danish design.

In the late 1970s, LYFA merged with another Danish lighting company named Fog & Mørup. A few years after, Lyfa-Fog & Mørup was taken over by another large lighting producer, Lyskær, and the Fog & Mørup brand was abandoned. Lyskær-Lyfa continued to produce lighting designs under the LYFA label until 1991 when Lyskaer-Lyfa was incorporated into Horn Belysning. Horn Belysning kept the Lyskær-Lyfa brand active until 1998 when the switch to one of Denmark's oldest lighting companies was finally turned off.  

After having been closed down for more than twenty years, LYFA once again sees the light of day.

LYFA is a passion for the timeless designs, their significant history and proud traditions within craftsmanship and the good light. The relaunched items are a curated selection of nine iconic product families across four categories and spanning from 1946 to 1978 - chosen with great respect for the original design language, high level of detail and choice of material. Key features for the entire collection are the refined, sculptural appearances and the ability to create an atmosphere and bring life to a room.

The 2020 collection was launched at 3daysofdesign at Kolonien, Refshaleøen.
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