Raw materials, sculptural shapes, colored glass, and warm light: 2026 lighting fixtures focus on character without sacrificing softness. Here are the year's major trends, how to interpret them room by room, and the models that embody them at Ambient Home.
The 6 major lighting trends for 2026
1. Stone and raw materials
Travertine, natural stone, and light wood remain the big story in decoration. Their texture, veins, and pores bring a presence that metal alone lacks. In 2026, we love combining them: a stone disc under a wooden cylinder, a mineral sphere at the end of a textile cord. To go further, see our travertine pendant lights, our travertine wall lamps, and our article on travertine lighting.
2. Braided fibers and paper
Rattan, bamboo, rope, and rice paper create a filtered light that casts shadows on the walls. Paper lanterns, blending Japanese spirit with Scandinavian minimalism, were among the standout pieces at the 2026 Maison&Objet fair. Discover them in our rattan lighting and our paper lighting.
3. Sculptural and larger-than-life shapes
Lighting fixtures are no longer meant to hide: tiered pendants, pleated or wavy fabric, and large-format floor and table lamps are becoming the standout feature of a room. A single large pendant above a table is enough to define a space.
4. Colored, transparent, or smoked glass
After years of neutral tones, color is making a comeback through glass: amber, smoked, opaline, or tinted, often transparent to layer reflections. The retro style of the 1960s and 1970s and Bauhaus silhouettes accompany this return, as seen in our retro Scandinavian lighting and our smoked glass and black metal models.
5. Shine, from chrome to crystal
Polished chrome, brass, and crystal add a jewelry-like touch—to be used in moderation: a shiny pendant in a matte interior is enough to create contrast. Crystal chandeliers are modernizing with more graphic rings, lines, and cascades, to be discovered in our crystal chandeliers.
6. Warm, layered lighting
The most enduring trend is not a shape but a way of lighting: several sources at different heights rather than a single ceiling light, and warm white light, around 2700 K, which highlights natural materials. Our guide to layered lighting details the method, and small rechargeable cordless lamps allow you to add a point of light anywhere.
The colors of 2026
Pantone has chosen Cloud Dancer, a soft off-white, as the 2026 color of the year. It naturally harmonizes with the sand of travertine, the honey of rattan, and light wood. In contrast, accents come from glass and lacquers: amber, deep green, orange, or blue, to be placed on a pendant or table lamp to wake up a neutral interior.
Pendant, chandelier, or ceiling light: what's trending in 2026
The trendy pendant light
In stone and wood, paper or pleated fabric, the 2026 pendant light is textured and generous enough to be seen. Above an island, align two or three small models; above a table, choose a single large piece. The entire selection is in our chandeliers and pendant lights.
The trendy chandelier
The classic chandelier gives way to more graphic versions: crystal rings, luminous lines for a long table, opaline glass globes, or floral paper shapes. It retains its role as a centerpiece, but with fewer crystals and more lines.
The trendy ceiling light
The ceiling light is discreet but material-driven: braided rattan, natural stone, wood. It is the right solution for an entryway, a hallway, or a low ceiling. See our ceiling lights.
Trends room by room
Dining room
A large 30 to 40 cm pendant above a round table, or two to three aligned models above a rectangular table. Allow 65 to 75 cm between the bottom of the pendant and the tabletop. Travertine, pleated fabric, and linear crystal are the three most striking options this year.
Living room
Layering is key: an arc floor lamp over the sofa, a table lamp on a console, a wall lamp for a reading nook. Paper or rattan floor lamps soften the room, while chrome or black metal models add structure.
Kitchen
Above an island, compact 15 to 21 cm pendants aligned at 75 to 85 cm from the worktop. Stone and wood models bring warmth to a kitchen that is often very smooth.
Bedroom
Wall lamps at the headboard, about 1.20 to 1.40 m from the floor, free up space on bedside tables. A paper lamp or a small mushroom lamp completes the look for soft evening light. Our article on the mushroom lamp revisits this retro classic.
The styles driving these trends
Three universes encompass most 2026 trends: Japandi, which blends Japanese lines with Scandinavian sobriety (see our article on Japandi ambiance), Wabi-sabi, which values the imperfection of raw materials (see Wabi-sabi lighting), and 70s retro, which is more colorful and shiny.
Frequently asked questions
Which lighting is trendy in 2026?
Pendant lights in natural materials (travertine, rattan, paper), sculptural pleated fabric shapes, colored or smoked glass, and crystal chandeliers with graphic lines. The common thread: warm light and visible materials.
What color lighting should I choose in 2026?
Natural tones (sand, off-white, light wood) for the base, and a touch of color through glass (amber, green, orange) for the accent. Chrome and brass provide the shine.
What light should I choose to follow the trend?
A warm white around 2700 K, distributed across several sources: pendant, table lamp, wall lamp. A single source on the ceiling gives flat light and should be avoided.
Is travertine still trendy in 2026?
Yes. It remains one of the leading decorative materials, especially when associated with light wood, in simple shapes that let the stone speak for itself.
