Choosing which lighting trends will work in your home doesn't mean picking one trend and running with it. Good lighting design is a far more complex process that requires sourcing products that work on a practical level, as well as those that add another dimension to your interiors.
It's also far from an afterthought when you're building, extending or renovating. With the power to change not just how functional your home is, but also the overall mood and atmosphere, getting your lighting right is something to consider from early on.
With all this in mind, I asked leading lighting experts what lighting trends they predict will glow in 2026, so you can ensure your home shines brightly.
1. Biophilic lighting will boost your connection to nature
If you've already taken a look at some of the other trend predictions for 2026, such as the paint trends we'll be using on our walls, there's a theme that stands out amongst them all, and it's the same with lighting trends.
Every designer or expert I've spoken to in the process of researching next year's trends has said the same thing. 2026 is the year when we lean into nature and biophilic design more than ever.
"2026 will be about reconnecting interiors with nature, using organic shapes, natural materials and gentle tones to create spaces that promote calm and wellbeing," predicts James Kendall, operations director at KES Lighting & Home.
"Designs incorporating materials such as rattan, wood, bamboo and recycled glass are proving especially popular, as they not only add warmth and texture but also give spaces a sense of authenticity that feels very current.
"Combined with lightweight forms and a mindful approach to design, biophilic lighting captures the harmony of the outdoors while enhancing the comfort of life indoors."
As operations director at KES Lighting & Home, James Kendall is well placed to offer expert guidance on all aspects of home lighting. James understands just how transformative great lighting can be, and is first to see new trends and products that will light our homes.
2. Shape, form and material will all matter
The process of leaning in towards nature is also an opportunity to embrace the trend in a more literal form, adds Mara Rypacek Miller, founder of Industville, telling us how it's not just about using nature-inspired colours in your lighting, but form, shape and materiality too.
“Take cues from the natural world – not just in materiality, but the architecture of elements and organisms themselves," she recommends. "Think pod-like pendants, seed-shaped bulbs and mushroom-inspired shades that feel as though they’ve emerged from tide pools or forest floors.
"Lanterns made from light materials like linen offer a sense of softness that is delicate and cosy while still feeling elegant and elevated," adds Myra, and are perfect for bedside lighting ideas.
"Earthy tones, gentle greens and natural textures like seagrass and mango wood further strengthen the connection to nature, blurring the line between interior lighting and the organic world outside.”
It's a theme Ally Dowsing-Reynolds, lighting expert and co-founder of Dowsing & Reynolds is on board with too.
“When it comes to biophilic lighting, we can embrace it by focusing on the shapes, patterns and forms that mimic natural structures. Think of curves, spirals and geometric patterns that replicate those found in nature.
“We’re increasingly seeing clients choosing fixtures that resemble smooth stones, pebbles, shells and even water through glass that ripples and reflects the light around the room,” she shares.
Mara is driving sustainable interior design and is the founder of Industville. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to eco-conscious craftsmanship, Mara ensures each lighting product is not in line with our homes and design, but also tells a story of timeless elegance and environmental responsibility.
Ally Dowsing-Reynolds is an interior design expert and co-founder of lighting company, Dowsing & Reynolds. She is known for her bold, characterful style and ability to blend contemporary flair with period charm.
Shop for nature-inspired lighting
A handwoven bamboo pendant light with an organic, softly flowing shape that will add texture and shape to your ceiling lighting.
A soft linen ceiling light with sculptural curves perfect for living room or bedroom lighting schemes.
The shell-like form of this wall light is perfect for casting a soft glow in cosy living room corners or brightening a dark stairwell
3. Statement vs understated lighting – we'll look to combine both
Although we'll come on to take a look at the type of statement lighting we'll be using in our homes in 2026, as we increasingly become more adept at using lighting to alter the mood and overall feel of our home, there's a place for understated lighting too, say the experts.
“People are craving spaces that are cosy, calm and warm and lighting plays a huge role in that," says Ally Dowsing-Reynolds. "While statement lighting fixtures still have their place, we’re seeing understated lighting become more important in the home as people look, for example, to replicate the effect of sunsets in their own spaces.
“Low-level lighting sources are key in recreating this effect and we’re particularly seeing modern, fluid shapes such as curves and circles become a popular choice, adding an organic feel to home designs."
Living room wall lighting ideas are just one instance where understated lighting can help change the look and feel of the whole room.
“Perfect for illuminating dark corners, side tables and countertops, smooth and beautifully curved fixtures softly brighten a space, creating a calming atmosphere," explains Ally. “Curved shapes in particular allow a mood-boosting projection of light to be diffused across the whole room, mimicking the sun.”
4. Rechargeable lighting will continue to save the day
Although LED lighting revolutionised the lighting landscape some time ago, perhaps one of the most recent heroes to hit the scene has been rechargeable lighting. Offering homeowners the chance to transform tired corners into cosy nooks, and brighten dark hallways without calling in an electrician, it's a lighting trend we're glad to see will continue to flourish in 2026.
“Rechargeable lighting will continue to have a moment, and for good reason," says Jo Plant, chief creative officer at Pooky. "Today’s portable lamps, floor lights, pendants, and wall sconces combine design with convenience. No wires, no limitations, just flexible, beautiful light wherever you need it.
"Whether you’re moving a lamp from the living room to a bedroom or creating a cosy reading nook on a loft balcony, these lights make it easy to adapt to your lifestyle," she explains.
"Rechargeable lighting is about freedom," she adds. "It’s beautifully designed, but you can pick it up, move it, and place it wherever you want without any fuss. These lights are particularly useful in spaces where wiring is tricky or for renters who can’t make permanent changes. Many options are dimmable, so you can adjust the glow to suit the mood, whether it’s a lively autumn dinner or a quiet evening in.”
Shop rechargeable lighting
A rechargeable table lamp stone base with shades available in a variety of colours and finishes
Add a touch of elegance to your hallway with these rechargeable slim antique brass wall lights
Turn any corner into a cosy reading nook with this olive green rechargeable floor lamp that's simple but effective
5. Art deco and vintage lighting will be in fashion
Although we may be adding more subtle, organic-inspired lighting in our lighting schemes, there's also a growing trend to embrace the past too, say our lighting experts.
"We’re seeing a real appetite for vintage-inspired lighting, particularly pieces that nod to the glamour of the Art Deco era," says James Kendall. "Homeowners are drawn to statement designs and opulent glass details.
"These fittings add instant character and a sense of timeless luxury, whether used as a focal point in kitchen island lighting, or layered into a more modern scheme for contrast."
According to Mara Rypacek Miller, we can certainly expect to see, "chandeliers, sconces and sculptural statement pieces reinterpret vintage silhouettes with updated proportions, simplified lines and elevated detailing.
"High-shine finishes will give way to more tactile, nuanced treatments like softly patinated brass, bronze and richly textured metals that lend warmth, depth and a handcrafted quality.”
6. Suspend floating bubbles from your ceiling – even if you're an adult
Although bubbles may have childlike connotations, we've seen so many bubble-inspired lights coming through, it's hard not to include it in this year's lighting trends.
The good news is, as the images show, there's a way of using this lighting trend that suits all manner of homes, be it for a sophisticated dining room idea or an eclectic living room where iridescent bubbles float amongst a sea of pink and floral patterns.
So why do we feel drawn towards these more fluid shapes and forms?
“Whimsical home decor has been a popular choice over the last few years and it’s breaking its way into lighting design too," explains Ally Dowsing-Reynolds. "These fixtures shine bright and are perfect for living and dining room spaces in particular as they invite conversation while making a design statement.
“Embracing individuality and wonder, unusual lighting designs instantly inject character into a space and are the perfect choice for areas in the home where you socialise most or for creating a dramatic hallway lighting idea."
Try this Mahood 3-Light Twisted Ribbed Glass Bubble Globe Chandelier Sputnik Ceiling Light from Wayfair if the bubble trend is one you want to try.
7. Switch up your sockets with a mixed metal approach
The different types of switches you include in your lighting plans can sometimes get forgotten in terms of their importance in your overall interior design. But the reality is if you don't have, or don't want a smart home lighting system you will look and touch them multiple times, every day.
As well as being practical in terms of how your lighting circuits operate, they need to blend in with your overall decor too. Long gone are the days of the one size fits all white plastic switch, and with the metallics interior design trend creeping into many of our homes in 2026, we're seeing lighting switches fully embrace this finish too.
From black nickel through to burnished bronze, there's also no rules or restrictions on what you can and can't use, with even mixed metals providing a pleasing contrast that works well when renovating a house that features a mix of both old and new.
8. Think of your lighting as room jewellery
Although lighting experts aren't suggesting you completely favour form over function when it comes to lighting the rooms in your home, layered lighting does mean you can have some fun with the products you choose. It's a bit like adding the finishing touches when you get ready, explains Mara Rypacek Miller.
“Like a statement necklace anchoring an outfit, lighting in 2026 is being styled as the jewellery of the room with chandeliers and sculptural clusters serving as bold, eye-catching centrepieces.
"Chandeliers are being redefined as suspended sculptures – constellations of glowing orbs and bold floating forms. Far from traditional fixtures, these new designs are works of art even when not illuminated. From delicate glass bubbles to layered glass that recalls the appeal of a flower in bud, each piece brings strong artistic presence to the room," says Myra.
"Layering completes the look. Just as a necklace is complemented by earrings, bracelets and rings, the central fixture is supported by ambient and accent lighting with sconces, pendants and lamps balancing the overall look.”
Not sure if you can tackle the project alone? it could be it's time to call in a lighting designer if you're about to start on a new self build or extension. Not using one was one of the compromises I made when renovating and extending – and not one I'd make again.
The final advice from our lighting experts if you're looking to buy lighting for your project? Don't forget to think about how the lighting will play out in your room.
“Embrace a rich interplay of light, shadow and material with fixtures that cast striking patterns and textures through pleated metal, wooden slats and both ribbed and rippled cast glass," recommends Mara Rypacek Miller. "These sculptural forms paired with luxurious finishes will help elevate lighting from a functional necessity to a statement work of art in 2026.
"And, also make sure you include hidden glow architecture such as light that is subtly embedded within walls, panels and structural elements to create ambient, atmospheric effects without visible sources."
One such way to do this would be to include LED skirting boards. But, before you proceed with installing any of the new lighting trends in your home, make sure you also understand the lighting design mistakes to steer clear of so you're not sat in the dark, or out of pocket before you press the switch.
