WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The interplay between light, design, and human well-being took center stage at the Wood Pro Expo and Closets Conference during a CEU-accredited session titled Lighting 202: The Power of Light on Health and Wellness. Led by Damiano Saracino, business director of lighting at Richelieu, the course illuminated both the science and art behind modern lighting solutions.

As Saracino explained during the presentation, lighting has moved far beyond basic function. Today, it's a design tool capable of shaping environments, supporting mental and physical health, and creating deeply personal spaces. The session built upon foundational lighting knowledge to explore more nuanced topics such as light spectrum and temperature, and how they affect mood, usability, and wellness.

“Warmer lighting tends to energize us, while blue lighting is relaxing. There is a reason why the sun comes out warm, gets cool and energizing at its peak, and then goes back to warm again - it’s a cycle. Evolutionary, we need to be exposed to both temperatures," says Saracino. "That's why the biggest trends in LEDs today is to change temperature because we cannot have the same temperature of light in our homes 24/7."

Among the emerging trends discussed were adaptive lighting systems integrated features that respond to both space and user. Saracino emphasized how specific temperatures of light can energize or calm, and how designers are increasingly leveraging this to enhance daily routines in closets, kitchens, and commercial spaces.

The broader goal of the presentation was clear: to help attendees understand how lighting can be harnessed not just to see better, but to feel better. From creating the right atmosphere for productivity to using light to reinforce a personal aesthetic, the session underscored the emotional and psychological impact of illumination in the built environment.

As lighting technology continues to evolve, so too does its role in the modern home and workplace.