The Growth of Lighting Design: How Light is Shaping the Future of Spaces in 2026

In 2026 lighting isn’t a finishing touch — it’s the thing that makes a space feel right (or terribly wrong). Designers are no longer asked just to make rooms bright; they’re expected to think about sleep cycles, desk-booking patterns, and the carbon cost of every fitting. The best lighting now works quietly in the background, nudging people into focus, rest or calm without anyone having to think about it.