Bedroom Lighting Ideas

This is Page 1 : Lighting Page 2

Finding the best lighting for the bedroom is not easy, in fact this it can be the most difficult room of the house. This is partly due to the huge number of activities for which the modern bedroom is used. For instance:
  • Sleeping
  • Reading
  • Dressing
  • Watching TV
  • Reading
  • Creating a romantic mood

Add to this the possibility of two people doing completely different things - for example one reading whilst the other sleeps - and the complexity of the task is obvious. Lighting style should also reflect the overall style of your bedroom decor - is it modern or traditional, minimalist or lush?

Don't forget that the lighting in any room will interact strongly with the colour scheme for that room. Ideally your lighting design will go hand in hand with your choice of bedroom colours.

Flexibility

The main advice for lighting the bedroom is to make it as flexible as possible. No single form or level of lighting is perfect for all the room's functions, so try to allow for different levels of light for different purposes. Bear in mind the occupant of the bedroom - ideal levels of lighting for children, teens and adults will vary in the same way as other bedroom furniture choices.

A dimmer light is worth considering for the room's main ceiling light. This can be kept low most of the time but turned up high for cleaning, etc. But try not to rely on a single light source, instead create different lighting zones for different functions. Wall mounted lighting can be used to good effect in creating such zones.

Reading is an obvious case where flexibility pays off. You'll want more light - and more direct light - when reading in bed than when watching TV. If you have a partner you'll probably want separate reading lights. Try to buy ones that have a small lighting area so that you don't disturb each other. And even if you don't have a partner, maybe the person who buys your house next will - would a small extra investment now in fixtures and fittings make it easier to sell later?