Create the perfect learning environment with the right lighting. Today, we explore classroom lighting ideas that transform your learning spaces into bright, welcoming, and effective environments for all your students. From natural light solutions to innovative fixtures and products, we guide you through the best products and furnishings that make a lasting impact on focus, energy levels, and overall learning outcomes. Ready to light up your classroom and inspire students? We’ll help you explore your options.
Classroom lighting trends in K-12 learning spaces
Classroom lighting trends may vary, but the student benefits of high-quality, healthy light sources remain constant. District leaders are moving toward LED and natural light enhancements, for example. Student benefits of these shifts include:
Improved concentration
More comfortable atmospheres
Reduced glare and fatigue
Thoughtful and intentional lighting design creates flexible spaces that adapt to different activities. From quiet reading time to interactive group work, your students can perform at their best with just the right light to support them. When leaders prioritize healthy lighting, schools can transform classrooms into vibrant, student-centered spaces that promote learning and creativity.
Debbie Karcher, a K-12 Education Technology Advisor and retired CIO for Miami-Dade Public Schools, says “UV light causes attention problems, anxiety, headaches, and hyperactivity that makes our jobs as educators more difficult and leads to poor student performance.”
California has already implemented bans on certain fluorescent lamps, which encourages a shift to adopt healthier LED lighting. LED retrofits ensure compliance with these state-based regulations. They also end up saving districts money over time with improved energy efficiency.
While you might not be able to do much about the standard lighting throughout your school building, there are other fun and creative ways to bring additional sources of lighting into your learning spaces that boost brain activity and classroom engagement.
What to keep in mind when you shop for classroom lighting
When your K-12 school district is ready to explore new lighting options for students in your classrooms, it's encouraged to think outside the box. Beyond the basics, there are unique ways to incorporate lighting into your learning experiences. For example, think about the visual sensory experience of what different lighting products could do for your learning spaces.
We’ve compiled a list of our favorite classroom lighting and school furniture ideas – check them out and start brightening your students’ learning in brilliant new ways.
The importance of natural light in the classroom
As you browse new ways to elevate classroom lighting, don’t overlook the importance of natural light in the classroom. Natural light creates a healthy and effective learning environment. Moreover, exposure to sunlight improves mood, boosts energy levels, and supports better focus, all of which helps students thrive academically.
Classrooms with large windows or skylights allow natural light to filter in, which reduces reliance on artificial lighting and creates a more welcoming space.
Access to sunlight also helps regulate students’ sleep cycles and overall well-being, which makes it easier for them to stay engaged throughout the school day.
Prioritized natural light in classroom design benefits both students and teachers, which helps to contribute to a positive and productive atmosphere.
Take your lessons outside
If you can’t bring the natural light into your classrooms, consider taking your lessons outdoors. As part of your strategy to create well-lit learning experiences, remember that natural Vitamin D can always play a part in your plans. Nature-based learning sparks curiosity and creativity. The fresh air and sunlight support improved focus, too. Whether it’s an outdoor science experiment, storytelling under a tree, or a group discussion in a courtyard, incorporating outdoor learning boosts morale and encourages a deeper connection to the subject matter.
Other ways to compensate for a lack of natural classroom light
EdWeek suggests that teachers can use full-spectrum lightbulb lamps or lightbulbs that feature high Color Rendering Index (CRI) in their classrooms. High CRI bulb can simulate natural light. And this method of “daylighting” can mitigate darker or window-less classrooms that might otherwise struggle to introduce natural light sources.
Sensory classroom lighting products and furnishings
As we all know, it’s so important to have inclusive spaces in all our classrooms. Many students with ADHD, autism, and other sensory processing disorders can benefit from having unique and fun lighting products and furniture in the classroom. Create inclusive learning spaces, starting with your classroom lighting.
For example, the Superactive Fiber Optic Jellyfish offers a stunning visual and tactile experience for people of all ages. Designed for sensory or relaxation rooms, the jellyfish is easy to install and features 150 color-changing fiber optic "tentacles" that hang below a safe acrylic mirror. Users can touch and play with the fiber optic strands for an immersive sensory experience.
And not to be outdone by a jellyfish, this LED fiber optic softie is a bean bag with 150 integrated LED fiber optic strands. Because the fiber optics don't contain electricity, it's safe for users of all ages to touch and play with the strands for a truly immersive sensory experience. This is the type of classroom furniture teachers dream about!
Bubble tube lights complement sensory and inclusive learning spaces
Have you ever seen a young learner interact with a bubble tube before? It’s like captivating magic to them. Bubble tubes are cylindrical, clear containers filled with water and equipped with an air pump. As the air is pumped into the tubes, it creates streams of bubbles that rise to the top. You can also choose a variety of soft colored lights for the bubble tubes to really make them stand out.
According to recent studies, the subtle and slow rhythmic bubbles, along with the calming light effects, can support the reduction of stress and student anxiety.
This calming LED bubble tube starter kit is a great addition to any classroom or sensory space. Users of all ages will enjoy watching hundreds of bubbles slowly ascend to the top of the tube and change color.
Step up your sensory space with this Bubble Tube Mirror Pair. This bubble tube is designed to be mounted in a corner of a room surrounded by two acrylic mirrors. The effect creates multiple, mesmerizing reflections and enhances the colorful light.
Explore light tables for your early learning classrooms
Your classroom furniture purchase can include light tables, especially impactful for early learning environments. This brilliant light table is an excellent choice for any elementary classroom. Choose from over 20 LED color options to dim, jump, fade, and mix along the glowing acrylic activity sheet. Grab some of these algebra tiles and make math class a fun and creative space your students will want to go back to again and again.
Other classroom lighting supplies and essentials
Need some more ideas to improve your classroom lighting? Try fluorescent light filters to help with visibility, along with emotional responses, according to the NIH. With lighting that minimizes glare, classroom performance can improve by as much as 25%. And it helps students remain alert and more focused, as a result.
Grab this pack of three different seasonal light filters to create a calming, tranquil environment, or this blue light filter is designed to reduce the flicker and glare of fluorescent lights. These seasonal light filters are perfect for adding variety to the classroom, creating a soothing environment that matches the mood of each season, whether it’s the warm hues of autumn or the soft pastel shades of spring. The blue light filter is especially beneficial for reducing eye strain and minimizing headaches caused by harsh fluorescent lighting, making the classroom more comfortable for both students and teachers. Teachers can easily install these filters over existing lights to create a healthier and more engaging atmosphere.
Another great addition to any sensory-centric classroom is this sound light dome. It’s easy to install and allows sensory exploration and guided learning into volume control and auditory processing. The sound light dome is a versatile tool that not only supports sensory learning but also helps students understand the relationship between sound and light. Teachers can use it during sensory breaks or as part of a lesson on sound waves and volume control. Its interactive nature engages students and fosters skills in auditory processing while providing a calming visual display that enhances the sensory experience.
See how students respond to this sound-to-light panel, which is the perfect interactive tool for any sensory room or classroom. This sound-activated light panel responds to talking, clapping, shouting, and more. This sound-to-light panel is a dynamic way to encourage student interaction while supporting sensory development. Teachers can use it for group activities, where students experiment with making sounds and observing the corresponding light patterns. It’s ideal for fostering creativity and collaboration, as well as helping students with sensory needs engage in a fun and visually stimulating way.
Fairy lights and string lights are also student-favorites and can add a warm, inviting glow to reading nooks or display areas. Teachers love these soft, decorative lights to create a cozy atmosphere that truly inspires students to dive into books or work on independent projects. These lights are a simple yet effective way to transform classroom spaces into inviting and focused areas. Drape your fairy lights over a bookshelf or around a reading tent to make students feel comfortable and excited to explore their favorite stories. The gentle glow also reduces stress and creates a sense of calm, perfect for quiet time or creative tasks.
For science lessons, consider lamps or projectors that display constellations or underwater scenes. Imagine how your students will react when you transform the room into a mini planetarium or ocean exploration hub. These interactive lighting elements help students connect with lessons in a memorable way, too. These specialty lights can also captivate students’ attention and bring abstract concepts to life, making science lessons more engaging. A constellation projector can turn an astronomy unit into an immersive experience, while underwater scene projectors inspire curiosity about marine biology. Teachers can use these tools to spark discussions, encourage exploration, and make complex topics easier to understand through visual and hands-on learning – and lights, of course.
For classrooms focusing on STEM activities, programmable LED light strips or cube lights allow students to experiment with colors and coding in a hands-on manner. Teachers can encourage students to design patterns or solve challenges using light-based puzzles, reinforcing concepts in a fun, visual format. These tools not only enhance lessons but also add a modern and engaging layer to the classroom.
Specialized lighting can enhance spaces designed for focus and relaxation in the classroom. Adjustable reading lights placed near individual desks, or a shared reading nook area create a focused and comfortable space for students to enjoy books or complete assignments.
For calming corners, soft and diffused lighting, such as Himalayan salt lamps or small LED lanterns, promotes a soothing atmosphere where students can recharge emotionally. These lighting solutions provide a sense of safety and serenity, helping students feel supported while fostering a positive learning environment.
Where to buy the best products for elevated classroom lighting
Look no further than School Outfitters. We know how to incorporate the right lighting experiences for all classroom types. There’s a reason why 97% of the top 1,000 districts are our repeat customers. We make every step of the room design and product ordering process a breeze with quick shipping, contracts and co-op savings, and more. Whether you’re looking for one bubble tube product or have plans to outfit all your K-12 spaces, we have the people, room design tools, and renderings for inspiration to help.
Why buy classroom lighting through School Outfitters
Our school furnishings experts are familiar with all the best lighting products to complement your classroom needs. Enhance the lighting interactions in your classrooms this year and elevate student outcomes in a brilliant way. Contact your dedicated furniture expert or get a free quote on some of these lighting products today.
