Though bedrooms are primarily for sleeping, they aren’t meant to be dark all the time. A bedroom should have a combination of both portable and installed lighting to provide illumination for tasks like dressing and reading. More than that, your bedroom's lighting should also create a calm and soothing atmosphere for relaxation. If you think about it, the lighting ideas that pertain to the rest of your home apply to the bedroom as well. Lighting experts agree that you should aim to light a room in layers. The most basic layer is general, or ambient, lighting. This allows for safe movement throughout the room and serves as a base upon which you layer the rest of your lighting design.
Task lighting supplements general lighting where detailed activities take place, like reading, dressing, or applying makeup. Accent lighting highlights architectural features, artwork, or other focal points. Finally, decorative lighting creates the focal point itself, either through its fixture or the light it produces (i.e., a pattern on the wall). When planning the lighting for your bedroom, keeps two ideas in mind to help you achieve the right feel: abundance and flexibility. Multiple light sources with lower wattage are preferable to a single bright fixture. And don't overlook the power of dimmers: Installing them can help you achieve the right mood when it’s time to wind down at the end of the day. Read through for five types of fixtures, each with its own place and functionality when it lives in the bedroom. Then, install a medley of these bedroom lighting ideas, and you'll be one step closer to your own oasis.
1.Recessed Fixtures
Like any other room, a bedroom needs general lighting. You want to provide enough light for dressing, while at the same time, keeping the tone warm and relaxing. Recessed lighting fixtures controlled by a dimmer gives you the ability to dial up the light while getting ready on a cloudy morning, or dial it down for your bedtime routine.
2.Sconces
Wall sconces on either side of the bed can make nighttime reading all the more enjoyable. The rule of thumb for sconce height in a bedroom is 6 feet, with some adjustments if the ceiling is higher than average, or the bed is lower to the ground. Be sure upward facing sconces are above eye level so the bulbs are not visible.
3. Table Lamps
Table lamps provide both task and accent lighting. Placed on a dresser, a table lamp can illuminate socks, jewelry, and other accouterments. On a nightstand, it'll offer easy access to reading light. Before deciding on a bedside table lamp, test the switch to be sure it’s easily reached and controlled from the bed.
4. Pendants
Pendant lights are most often seen in the kitchen, but if you want to mix things up, they can boost your bedroom style. Hanging pendant lights on either side of the bed frees up precious space on bedside tables, and hanging them over dressers and vanities contributes to the fashion and function of the room.
5.Standing Lamps
A standing lamp is an excellent choice for a bedroom reading nook. Choose one that is focused downward, to provide the best task light. A standing lamp offers design flexibility as well. Should you decide to rearrange the furniture, your lighting can also be easily rearranged.