One place we absolutely need to get the lighting right is in the bedroom. The right bedroom lighting ideas will help to create a soothing, relaxing atmosphere that signals to our brains that it's time to wind down and get a good night's sleep.
Of course, there are several components in the bedroom that make a recipe for a calm, cosy space that we can relax in. But the best mattresses, comfy bedding, and neat bedroom storage ideas aren't enough if they don't have the right lighting to accompany them. In short, bedroom lighting ideas can make or break the space.
'The bedroom is arguably one of the most important rooms in a home; a place of tranquility, rest and perfectly balanced ambience,' says Lee Lovett, Co-Founder and Creative Director, Soho Lighting. 'A layered lighting scheme for a bedroom is a perfect way to create flexibility for brighter lighting in the day and softness during the evening.'
'Sleep is vital for our wellbeing, mental and physical health, and yet so many of us are sabotaging this reset time with one simple element – lighting,' Georgia Metcalfe, Founder, French Bedroom adds. 'Like it or not, all our bodies do their best to run to a circadian rhythm: to rise with the sun and sleep with the dark. The simple act of brightening or darkening our bedrooms gives our brains the message to either rise or rest.'
We've spoke to the experts and compiled a list of the best bedroom lighting ideas that are sure to elevate the atmosphere in your boudoir, and promote a restful night's sleep.
1. Illuminate dark zones
It might sound obvious, but the best bedroom lighting ideas are suited to the space their situated in. Before you start purchasing table lamps and wall sconces, assess your bedroom layout so you can plan what lighting needs to go where.
'To plan what lighting you need and where, consider the layout (including doors and windows) and furniture floor plan of your bedroom, and take note of higher traffic areas and any current dark zones,' Sam Greig, Head of Design at Swoon comments. 'This will help you understand specific areas where artificial lighting is particularly needed.'
Typically, corners will need an additional source of light, but if you're working with small bedroom ideas, you might want to focus on bringing light into the centre of the room instead. Think about the time you spend in the bedroom, and where light is going to be most beneficial.
2. Dim the the big light
While the overhead light isn't likely to be used as we wind down in the evening, it will inevitably be switched on at some point - probably as you find your way to the bedside table, while trying not to trip over. It's therefore key that the main light source in the room - whether it's a pendant, ceiling fan, or spotlight - is fitted with the right style of bulb.
Consider fitting dimmable bulbs into the overhead light, so that when it is switched on, it can still produce a soft ambience. 'Dimmable ceiling lights or zoned spotlights are also usually better than one single ‘big light’ in a bedroom, as they give you more options and can help create a more relaxing environment,' Sam says.
3. Go cordless
Cordless lamps are a wonderful addition to any room, but they can be particularly ideal for the bedroom because they mean no trailing wires down bedside tables or storage units - which is an easy way to ruin cosy bedroom ideas and make the space look cluttered.
Consider upgrading to cordless lamps and add these to your bedside table, vanity unit, or chest of drawers. The beauty of cordless lamps is that you have the flexibility to place them anywhere in the room, so take advantage and play around with a few different spots. Pooky makes one of the best ranges of cordless lamps.
4. Choose linen lampshades
'We don’t want to plunge our bedrooms into darkness on an evening, so lighting some well-placed table lamps is perfect for creating a warm, cocooning space – ideal for restful sleep,' says Georgia from French Bedroom. 'Try to avoid direct, angle style lights for your bedside lamp, instead opting for a linen or dark coloured shade.'
Lampshades made from linen and other natural fibres are perfect for bedroom lighting ideas, because they help diffuse light in a softer, more soothing way. Try upgrading your bedside lamps to linen shades and you will see how they create a warm, inviting glow - the perfect ambience to a relaxing wind-down routine.
5. Incorporate concealed lighting
A layered approach is recommended for bedroom lighting, because it allows for flexibility in how much light you can use at certain times of day. Concealed lights are particularly great for this, because aside from keeping the direct light source hidden, you can also restrict the light so that it only illuminates a specific area in the room.
'Concealed lights such as motion sensor LEDs in your wardrobes or around skirting boards can be handy too, especially if you wake up earlier than your partner,' interior expert Sam Greig says. 'These options can help you manoeuvre around the room without having to flood it with light.'
Strip lights are perfect for walk-in wardrobe ideas, but you can install LED concealed lights within the ceiling, walls, or other architectural features too.
6. Add a pop of colour
Choose a bedside lamp that features a pop of colour, to add warmth and vibrancy to your bedroom. Try to match it with an accessory or two elsewhere in the room, to tie the whole look together and keep your bedside table as clutter free as possible as not to distract from your lighting choice.
7. Match your hardware to your lights
In this room, the homeowner has chosen to go for smart brass wall lights which compliment the striking teal shade used on the walls and furniture. But she hasn't stopped there, and has matched her hardware, including light switches, plug sockets and door handles, to the same finish too, which unifies the look.
In such a vibrant room, simple brass and glass wall lights don't fight for attention, but merely enhance the overall look.
8. Use a mirror to bounce the light further
In dark corners or if you bedroom has little natural light, use a mirror hung behind your bedside light, to bounce the light further into the room and illuminate the space. These beautiful mercury mirrors have an antique effect that matches the style of the room and don't distract from the decor.
As well as a simple bedside lamp on the table, the homeowner has also chosen to fix an accent light above the mirror to create a feature of it and add another level of glow to the room.
9. Make your lights the star of the show
Rather than trying to seamlessly match your bedroom lighting to your decor, how about you make the lights the star of the show instead? Opting for vibrant yet petite wall lights, cleverly draws your eye to the bed, so would work perfectly in a guest bedroom where you want your guests to be comfortable.
10. Save space with ceiling hung options
If you've no space for bedside tables, and therefore no space for bedside lamps, opt to hang striking pendant lamps from the ceiling either side of your bed instead. Not only does this free up floor space (and plug space), it will create an attractive, symmetrical feature in your room.
Ask your electrician to wire each light on a different circuit so you can control each lamp separately, ideal if you want to stay up reading, but your partners wants to catch up on some kip.
11. Go big with a pendant light
If your bedroom is blessed with high ceilings, make the most of the space and super-size your pendant light. Not only will it create a feature in your bedroom, it will fill the space to make the room feel cosier and less stark, plus if you go for a rattan shade similar to this one, it will create beautiful patterns on you walls when the bulb is switched on.
12. Install wall-hung bedside lighting
If you don't have space for a bedside lamp, consider opting for a wall hung lamp. This dark shaded number will cast a cosy glow over the bed at nighttime, providing just enough light to read a few pages of a book before heading to bed.
13. Hang fairy lights
Cast a comforting glow in your bedroom. Give fairy lights a permanent home and they'll add a magical glow to any space. Fairy light ideas are the perfect solution if you live in a rented property and don't have the freedom to decorate. This set of fairy lights twinkles like stars against the midnight sky tones of the wall.
14. Make a statement with an exposed bulb
Bedroom lighting doesn't need a fancy lampshade to make an impact. In this guest room the bare bulb in this white washed fisherman style light is small, but packs a punch. It works beautifully with a coastal theme, however when choosing a bulb be careful to opt for a low wattage bulb for a softer glow.
15. Multi-task with an adjustable main light
In a small room you want to use as few lights as possible to avoid cluttering the space. In this room instead of opting for a traditional central light, an adjustable lamp can be pulled up and down to illuminate different parts of the room. While this means bedside lamps aren't essential, you can still add in a few decorative lights if you have the space to spare.
16. Mismatch bedside lamps
If there isn't space for matching bedside tables, consider opting for different styles of lamp to flank the bed. In this room, the top of a dresser has been turned into a bedside table, providing plenty of space for a traditional standing lamp. While on the other side, the light has been wall mounted to free up space on the smaller built in bedside table.
While the styles might not match, the colour and shape of shade match perfectly, helping to hold the room together.
17. Add visual interest with a sculptural lampshade
A sculptural pendant light in a soft putty colour works with the earthy green palette of this bedroom, adding a layer of visual interest. The soft rosy glow provided by the shade will help emphasise the sensory appeal of the relaxed linen sheets and waffle knit blankets used to create a sense of calm and peace in this rustic bedroom.
18. Light an alcove with wall sconces
An alcove in a bedroom can be the perfect space for a bed, but it can leave you lacking in space for a bedside lamp. Invest in wall sconces flanking the bed to illuminate the space. They are a space-saving way to provide additional illumination in this cosy alcove and evoke a sense of nostalgia in the pretty bedroom.
FAQs
What lighting is best for bedrooms?
The best lighting for bedrooms is soft, soothing, and relaxing. Harsh, cold lighting is a firm no, because this doesn't create the right environment for us to be able to wind down and prepare to sleep. Lighting that is warm in temperature and soft in strength will help you sleep better, because it fosters a calm, relaxed atmosphere.
It's also important to layer multiple light sources in a bedroom, so you can adjust the level of light to what you need it to be. 'Alongside natural light, you are likely to want a mix of ambient lighting (soft illumination for an inviting atmosphere), task focused lighting (direct lighting to aid with specific tasks) and accent lighting (adding visual interest, creating depth and enhancing ambiance),' Sam from Swoon explains.
The overhead light should be fitted with a warm bulb, and ideally, one that is dimmable. Though you might not plan on using the 'big light' often, it will be switched on from time to time, and anything that is stark and harsh will disrupt the bedroom's calm atmosphere.
'When it comes to lighting your bedroom, focus on the cosy aesthetic,' Julian Page, Head of Design at BHS says. 'Soft mood lighting is key in your bedroom as a way to wind down and relax after a long day. You can achieve this through the use of bedside lighting, which also doubles as a handy task light – providing proficient lighting for reading your favourite book in bed.'
How to get soft lighting in a bedroom?
To get soft lighting in a bedroom, focus on warm white bulbs with lower wattages. These will be less harsh, and create a cosy, inviting ambience.
'To achieve a softer lighting style, you’ll want lots of varied light sources available to you,' Sam says. 'A floor lamp, bedside wall sconces, dimmable spotlights and concealed LEDs can be a lovely combination to gently illuminate all the space, without it feeling harsh.'
Avoid relying on one overhead light in the bedroom, as this is more difficult to diffuse. Opt for linen lampshades, which help to diffuse light in a natural, soothing way.
'Adjustable lighting is ideal for bedrooms too because it allows for control over brightness depending on the time of day or activity,' Sam adds. 'Dimmers or smart bulbs can gradually lower light intensity to make it feel softer, promoting relaxation before sleep.'
How bright should a bedroom light be?
When it comes to bedroom lighting it needs to serve two purposes. On the one hand it needs to be bright enough to offer functionality, for example, in a wardrobe or as a reading light. However, it also needs to offer softer atmospheric lighting to promote relaxation.
'Ideally, your bedroom light should be adjustable,' says Debbie Drake, Head of Design, Dunelm. 'This allows you to achieve bright light in your bedroom during the day, when you are getting up and dressed, putting your make up on or organising your desk.'
'However, in the evenings adjustable lights will allow you to dim lighting to a relaxing, ambient level with focused light where you need it, for example above your vanity mirror, or as an angled bedside light for reading.'
How should I choose a ceiling light for a bedroom?
When selecting a ceiling light you need to consider not just it it will cover the bulb, but how it will diffuse light. You want something that will help create a relaxing glow, but not dim the bulb too much.
It is also important to remember that you will mainly be viewing the light from below when lying in bed, rather than when you are standing up.
'Choose soft and warm light in the bedroom. For example, we suggest a dimmable ceiling light to create brightness to find your clothes or dimmed light to wind down after a long day,' says Giuliano from Signify UKI.
