Recommended for you
Lighting is the most underrated power move in your home. People obsess over sofas, paint colors, and coffee tables — then leave lighting as an afterthought, as if it’s just a functional necessity instead of the thing that actually shapes how a space feels. But lighting is mood, atmosphere, energy. It’s the difference between a room that feels flat and one that feels magnetic. The same space can feel cozy, dramatic, soft, or invigorating depending entirely on how it’s lit.
Bad lighting doesn’t just make a room look dull — it can make you look dull. Harsh overheads, shadowy corners, that unflattering bathroom glare we’ve all suffered through… it affects how you see yourself every single day.
Switching my bathroom lighting genuinely changed my daily experience. What used to be a brutal, why-do-I-look-so-tired moment became a soft, flattering, confidence-boosting ritual. Same mirror. Same face. Completely different feeling. That’s the magic of good lighting. Which is exactly why designers are paying closer attention than ever. In 2026, lighting is all about emotion, comfort, and creating spaces that actually support how we want to feel at home.
Here are six lighting trends for 2026.
Wellness-Driven Lighting
Lumo Therapy
Lumo Therapy Lamp
Okay, out of all the lighting trends, wellness-driven lighting has got to be my favorite. You know that feeling when you’re stuck under blinking fluorescent lights, and it evokes a sensation of dread and hopelessness from within? Alternatively, when you’re basked in sunlight, you feel like your world is filled with hope, love, and endless possibilities. That’s because, as mentioned, lighting has the power to shift your entire mood! Never underestimate the power of good lighting.
Wellness-driven lighting prioritizes your well-being, casting a sunny light on your living space. This particular trend, which is all the rage in 2026, can single-handedly mimic natural daylight patterns to help soothe your mental state. Sign me up!
Mismatched Lighting
Anthropologie
Printed Fabric Drum Lamp Shade
Bring instant personality to your living room with playful, artful lampshades. It’s an easy way to flirt with maximalism without tipping into anything too loud or chaotic. I’m especially obsessed with Anthropologie’s Printed Fabric Drum Lamp Shade — it’s the kind of piece that quietly steals the spotlight.
The era of overly “perfect” interiors is fading fast. In 2026, homes feel more expressive, layered, and personal. One of the simplest ways to get there? Stop matching every light fixture. Mismatched lamps create warmth, charm, and that effortlessly curated look — far from the sterile glow of a hotel lobby or doctor’s office.
Articulated Lighting
West Elm
West Elm Modern Task Lamp
This type of lighting allows you to choose what to light. For this trend, it’s best to buy an adjustable lamp. They’re perfect for desks or next to your favorite reading chair.
Alabaster Lighting
CB2
Oceana Black Metal Table Lamp with Alabaster Shade
Natural stone lighting is stepping firmly into the spotlight for 2026, and this alabaster table lamp perfectly captures the shift. Topped with a hand-carved alabaster shade, the piece emits a soft, ambient glow that instantly warms a room — the exact opposite of harsh, overly bright lighting. It’s moody, elevated, and quietly dramatic in all the right ways. Even better, because alabaster is a natural stone, no two lamps are exactly alike. Those subtle variations and veining patterns are precisely what make stone lighting feel so rich, organic, and high-end.
Retro Lighting
Anthropologie
Cielle Home Box Pleat Fabric Lamp Shade and Slipcover
The ’70s are back — and honestly, it’s a vibe. Just look at this retro pleated fabric lampshade from Anthropologie. It instantly injects personality into a space, giving your living room that playful, time-capsule charm. Even better, it comes in standout combos like Navy/White Ricrac and Seafoam/Forest Colorblock, so you can lean into the look without fully committing to a theme.
Nostalgia continues to shape interiors, and in 2026 the vintage mood is showing up everywhere — especially in lighting. Mid-century silhouettes and retro-inspired details are having a major moment.
Anthropologie
Shirred Printed Fabric Drum Lamp Shade
You really can’t go wrong with a Shirred Printed Fabric Drum Lamp Shade. It’s classy, chic, and utterly cozy. We’re obsessed! However, it also adds some color to your home decor, replacing the beige designs that were popular over the last few years.
Patina Lighting
Studio McGee
Studio McGee Gallery Picture Sconce
Perfectly imperfect finishes are having a major moment, and patina is leading the way. Warm, timeworn metals instantly soften a space, adding depth, history, and that elusive “collected-over-time” feel designers can’t stop talking about. The Gallery Picture Sconce by Studio McGee, available in patina brass, captures this shift beautifully. Its elongated metal shade and sleek bent arm feel traditional, yet the nuanced finish keeps it from reading too formal or fussy.
Subscribe to our newsletter to shop trends all year long!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
