Knowing current lighting trends is one thing – predicting what’s next takes a true insider: a designer, a tastemaker, someone who sees around corners.
2026 is closer than you think. And with innovative lighting ideas shaping mood as dramatically as fresh flooring or a new sofa, it pays to plan ahead.
To guide the way, we spoke to a series of interior design insiders – familiar names and a few you’ll want to know. These professionals, with portfolios to prove it, share predictions you won’t find anywhere else: niche, specific, and straight from the source.
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7 lighting trends setting the tone for 2026
We asked experts who do this every day. These are the lighting trends they’re betting on by next year, which will soon be copied by everyone else by next spring.
1. ‘Napkin’ lights
(Image credit: dumæ)
You’ve seen them – you just didn’t know what to call them. Napkin lights, an Instagram-native term as nonchalant as the fixtures themselves, are draped, fluid forms rendered in decidedly un-soft materials, such as pleated ceramic or folded porcelain.
Mimicking fabric mid-swish, ‘they add texture, depth, and a touch of whimsy that invites conversation,’ says Kym Gold, founder and president of dumæ, a design-forward brand that’s embraced the look with pieces like the delightfully folded Yasmin Pendant.
‘The Yasmin Pendant came from my background in the apparel industry, where I’ve always been drawn to how fabric layers and moves,’ Kym explains. ‘I wanted to capture that same sense of drape and flow using materials like clay and metal. It’s a play between the softness of fabric and the permanence of harder mediums – that contrast is what makes it exciting to me.’
According to Kym, these soft-looking, hard-formed fixtures shine brightest in communal spaces like living and dining rooms – places where their sculptural texture can actually be seen and appreciated. ‘I think consumers are always searching for something fresh to bring into their spaces,’ she says. ‘Especially pieces that feel both artistic and functional. These designs have a softness to them, even though they’re made of hard materials, which makes them stand out and feel intentional.’
Mercer41
Magavi Armed Sconce
This opaline frosted ceramic shade has a silk-like sheen that catches the light just right, especially with that softly waved silhouette. A pull-chain switch gives it a utilitarian edge – though we’d argue a wall-mounted task light has never looked this graceful.
Lulu and Georgia
Heidi Pendant Light
This napkin-draped pendant style is the blueprint. With a barely-there brass stem (removable, if you prefer it flush), it balances softness with structure. Those organic, feminine folds feel effortless over a side table – or even better, hung in a row as kitchen island lighting.
Threshold
Wavy Ceramic Base Table Lamp
Full ceramic shades are pricey, but this Target find pulls off the look with a fabric shade and ceramic base – just enough to scratch that itch for something solid. It’s an easy way to trial the trend or add a touch of sartorial structure to a nightstand or side table.
2. Biomorphic silhouettes
(Image credit: Aqua Creations)
Call it pod lighting, seed lighting, or just lighting that looks like it might have originated in a tide pool. Designers are leaning into forms that reference the natural world – not just the materials, but the architecture of elements and organisms themselves.
‘We anticipate a continued rise of organic, pod-like forms – fixtures that evoke shells, seeds, and natural archetypes,’ says Dana Gers, CMO at Lumens. Take, for instance, the weightless drift of Flos’ My Disc Pendant, the sculpted petal curves of Jamie Young’s Cala, or the onion-skin thin Suuria by Aqua Creations.
Sarah Trop of FunCycled sees it, too. ‘Instead of just rattan shades and basket weaves (which we’ve leaned on heavily in recent years), expect to see lighting that truly reflects nature: glass fixtures that ripple like water, lamps with stone or terrazzo bases, and undulating silhouettes that suggest movement.’
‘2026 is ushering in a more expressive, tactile, and human approach to lighting design,’ Dana Gers continues. ‘These softened, asymmetric shapes move beyond strict geometry and introduce a sense of quiet movement and life into interiors.’
Galilee Lighting
Kloud 1 – Light Single Globe Pendant
‘These pendants give new life to glass looking like water,’ says designer Sarah Trop, calling out the elemental shimmer of hand-blown pieces. The description claims it’s cloud-inspired – but like any good piece, it’s open to interpretation.
Georges
Pale La Precieuse Pendant Petals
Seven buttery blue cotton canvas petals convene gracefully around a single bulb. Made in the South of France by Georges – a lighting brand known for its imaginative flair and devotion to craft – it brings an expressive, almost sculptural spirit to the dining room.
CB2
Raw Marble Table Lamp
It doesn’t get more elemental than a lamp built on a slab of unpolished rock. Literally, raw-edged and irregular, the stone base plays into the broader movement toward earthy materials and wabi-sabi silhouettes. Paired with a crisp black shade, it lends a commanding contrast.
3. Gentle glow
(Image credit: Michael Clifford Photography. Design: Jessica Alpert Design.)
In 2025, minimalism swung both ways – either painfully boring (a lone glowing stick on a wall) or, more often than not, overly precious (more sculpture than light source). Looks were prioritized, ambience forgotten. But in 2026, the pendulum hits its sweet spot: the sensibility stays minimal, but comfort becomes key.
‘I think 2026 is going to be all about lighting that feels modern but really natural and refined,’ says Los Angeles–based designer Jessica Alpert. ‘Finishes are getting softer and more textured, nothing too shiny, so the light kind of glows rather than reflects. It’s all about sculptural pieces that feel sleek and intentional, without trying too hard.’
‘People are craving spaces that feel calm, warm, and personal, and lighting plays a huge role in that,’ she continues. ‘Aesthetically, these pieces are clean and modern but still have that organic, lived-in feel, which makes them really versatile.’
Easy on the eyes, this bedroom-friendly lighting style isn’t about doing less. It’s about knowing what to leave out.
AllModern
Rainville Table Lamp
All glow and no fuss, there’s absolutely nothing getting between you and ambience with this cleverly executed, all-glass lamp. Available in nearly a dozen colored tones – from jewel to smoke – the mood is yours to make.
Modern Forms
Blaze LED Wall Sconce/Flushmount
Partially obstructed lights – where brass or metal sheaths block the bulb from full view – are a micro-trend gaining major traction under 2026’s soft glow umbrella. This flushmount-slash-sconce leans all the way in, with a warm backplate that bounces indirect light in the coziest way.
Rejuvenation
Roll & Hill Lorna LED Flush Mount
This flush mount proves that barely-there doesn’t mean boring. The hand-blown, radial-fluted shade – crafted in Portland – is glow-forward and versatile, but especially chic in places where you want to stay while: use it in an entryway, as bathroom lighting, or over the table for slow dinners and good wine.
4. Mixed materials
(Image credit: GUBI)
It’s the art of the unexpected. As we head into 2026, names like GUBI, Kalco Lighting, and Les Jardins are leaning into mixed materials in a big way.
‘We’ve seen rich texture trending in lighting this year – and in general, a much more creative use of material,’ says Andrea Goldman, founder and principal of Andrea Goldman Design. Lumens CMO Dana Gers agrees: ‘Designers are experimenting with pairings that feel unexpected and deeply crafted.’
Painted brass might be softened with raw stone. Polished glass could be wrapped in woven textiles. A globe shade? Sure – but make it marble, not glass. Even leather-wrapped shades and lacquered steel are a fair living room lighting game.
‘These juxtapositions bring a layered, artisanal richness to lighting,’ Dana adds.
Crate & Barrel
Seine Calacatta White Marble Mini Table Lamp With Rattan Shade 13″
It’s wrong in all the right ways. A naturally textured rattan dome meets a bold, high-contrast marble base – and somehow, it works. At just 13 inches tall, this small-but-mighty lamp is the ideal unexpected detail to shake up a bookshelf.
Unbranded
Organic Agate Stone Wall-Mounted Sconce
Agate as a light source? Not on our 2026 bingo card – and yet, here we are. Framed in brass, these slices of semi-precious stone bring a jewelry-like richness to living room wall lighting. It’s a little glam, a little geologic, and very fresh.
Prepare to see leather lighting a whole lot more in 2026. Maybe it’s the uptick in equestrian-core, or maybe it’s just heritage taste circling back. Either way, stitched leather details and breezy linen shades are proving they’re here to stay. This sconce, in particular, is the kind of tailored touch that begs to flank your favorite artwork.
5. Goodbye convention, hello custom
(Image credit: Tim Williams. Design: Evan Edward.)
A classic empire shade lamp could set you back $5,000 or $50. And while price isn’t everything, there’s only so much magic a prototypical shape can muster, especially when everyone else has it too.
According to Mallory Robins and Elizabeth Bennett of Kobel + Co, 2026 is shaping up to be the year lighting gets personal. Custom colors and finishes – à la Pooky’s plug-and-play model – are only getting more popular. But this goes beyond just surface-level tweaks. It’s the silhouette, too.
‘Homeowners are becoming fatigued by seeing the same options offered across multiple vendors and splashed across social media,’ the duo tells Homes & Gardens. ‘They are craving ways to customize pieces to make them feel bespoke to their own homes and tastes.’
Because in 2026, nothing says insider like a fixture you won’t find in anyone else’s foyer.
CB2
Augustine 5-Bulb Glass Chandelier by Goop
You’ve likely seen the bespoke light installations this Goop-designed chandelier is referencing, complete with avant-garde swoops, unexpected milk glass forms, and draped chains that hang from hook to hook. If we didn’t know better, we’d assume you picked it up from a gallery.
Lulu and Georgia
Olivera Floor Lamp
Defying all known stereotypes of the floor lamp, this sculptural Lulu and Georgia find is anything but expected. A cage of woven wicker hides a series of cleverly embedded bulbs, casting a soft, entrancing glow. It’s less lamp, more light sculpture, and perfect for that one awkward corner.
Stgfyxgs
Drum Print Lamp Shade
Not working with a bespoke budget? One of the easiest ways to upgrade a standard fixture is to rethink the shade. This vintage-style drum, with its nature-inspired tapestry pattern and tailored trim, adds an outsized dose of visual intrigue.
6. Lantern-like lighting
(Image credit: Nicole Franzen. Design: Evan Edward.)
Lanterns aren’t new. But in 2026, the category softens and expands – moving beyond classic boxy forms into something looser, lighter, and arguably, far more fun. According to Joshua Evan Goldfarb and Michael Edward Moriano of Evan Edward, the most forward fixtures right now are ‘lantern-like, organic, and sometimes even amorphous.’
Rice paper, handblown glass, and featherweight textiles all lend this sense of softness we’re after. ‘Delicate and cozy while still feeling elegant and elevated,’ they note. Even feathers are fair game, as seen by the spherical pendant in the East Village media room above, which suggests a lantern without fully committing.
‘Angular and masculine lighting fixtures have been a huge focus for some time now, and we think it’s nice to see some softness added to the mix,’ they add. ‘There’s still a use for these hard, statement-making fixtures – but we’re in search of some variance.’
Urban Outfitters
Striped Printed Round Paper Lantern Pendant Shade
Paper lantern, with a punch. This bold Urban Outfitters number reimagines the classic with pink-on-red cabana stripes – a jolt of energy to wake up a trend that’s still beloved, but admittedly a little sleepy after years in the limelight. Consider us reawakened.
AllModern
Sochi Floor Lamp
Think of this floor lamp as three-quarters of a lantern – the essence is there, but the execution leaves room for interpretation. And that’s exactly where lighting is headed in 2026, filled with soft, sculptural gestures that don’t play by the rules. A fabulous reading chair companion.
Done in the same ethereal vein as the feathered pendant pictured above, this Umage find is outrageous in the best way. Offered in a spectrum of colors and sizes – from whisper-small to XXL – it begs to be clustered. Try hanging a trio at staggered heights for a soft installation.
7. Neo-Deco
(Image credit: Louis Poulsen)
A century after Art Deco first emerged, its influence is pulsing back through interiors. ‘We’re seeing a return to the bold geometry, rich materials, and glamorous style that epitomized the era,’ says Lumens CMO Dana Gers. ‘At Lumens, we’re calling it Neo Deco, as styles take on a modern interpretation with lighting, furniture, and decor that channel this enduring design language into fresh, contemporary pieces.’
The Coco LED Chandelier by Larose Guyon, for example, hypnotizes with its sequenced geometry – a clean-lined ode to Deco elegance. Meanwhile, Marc Wood Studio’s Jack and Jill Pendant feels like 1930s jewelry scaled up with its hand-bent brass arms, pearl-white glass orbs, and a sculptural clarity.
Neo-Deco cuts the excess but keeps the edge, offering a quiet luxury take on one of the most flamboyant eras in design.
CB2
Ziggurat Capiz Pendant Light
Art Deco pediments are instantly recognizable – and Berlin design studio Hettler.Tüllmann nails the reference in this CB2 collaboration. Made from natural capiz shells with a subtle shimmer, the laminated technique reads like wallpaper. Too much for a bedroom ceiling light? We think not.
H&M Home knows how to decode a trend without overcomplicating it. This wall light leans into the era with fluting, chrome, and symmetry, but keeps things pared back. Deco distilled.
Anthropologie
The Eloise Scallop Milk Glass Table Lamp
When we think of ‘antique-inspired lighting,’ Anthropologie’s Eloise collection is the first thing that comes to mind. Raised acanthus detailing? Check. Dramatic silhouette? Check. But it’s the green milk glass table lamp that really channels the period, especially styled with velvet or geometric details.
Designers will tell you what to buy – but the real intel? What not to do. These are the living room lighting mistakes they’ve made (and learned from), so you don’t have to – in 2026 and beyond.
Predicting future lighting trends requires a true insider – a designer, tastemaker, or someone with a unique perspective on design.
2026 is just around the corner, and with lighting playing a key role in setting the mood of a space, it’s essential to stay ahead of the curve.
To help navigate the ever-evolving world of lighting design, we reached out to a variety of interior design experts – both well-known names and up-and-coming talents. These professionals, with their extensive portfolios, share exclusive predictions that offer a glimpse into the future of lighting design.
Article continues below
7 lighting trends setting the tone for 2026
We asked experts who do this every day. These are the lighting trends they’re betting on by next year, which will soon be copied by everyone else by next spring.
1. ‘Napkin’ lights
(Image credit: dumæ)
Napkin lights, also known as draped, fluid fixtures, are a key trend in lighting design. Made from materials like pleated ceramic or folded porcelain, these fixtures mimic the look of fabric in motion.
According to Kym Gold, the founder of dumæ, these lights add texture and whimsy to a space, sparking conversations. She explains that the Yasmin Pendant, inspired by fabric draping, captures the softness of fabric using clay and metal materials, creating a unique contrast.
Kym believes that these soft yet structured fixtures work best in communal spaces like living and dining rooms, where their sculptural quality can be fully appreciated. She notes that consumers are always looking for fresh and artistic pieces that also serve a functional purpose, making napkin lights a standout choice.
Mercer41
Magavi Armed Sconce
This opaline frosted ceramic shade has a silk-like sheen that catches the light just right, especially with that softly waved silhouette. A pull-chain switch gives it a utilitarian edge – though we’d argue a wall-mounted task light has never looked this graceful.
Lulu and Georgia
Heidi Pendant Light