How to Light a Bedroom

Your bedroom is a sanctuary, tailored to your unique needs and preferences. For some, this space is exclusively for sleep. But for many, the bedroom is a multifunctional haven – a place to relax, read or partake in hobbies. Increasingly, bedrooms are doubling as offices, especially in smaller properties. Children’s bedrooms can become the epicentre of all sorts of activities ranging from homework to play to hosting friends for sleepovers.

Given these diverse uses, lighting your bedroom the right way can dramatically impact its functionality and ambience. Here’s our handy guide on bedroom lighting.

Task lighting: focused and functional

Task lighting is essential for activities that need focused illumination, such as reading, writing or working on hobbies. Bedside table lamps are the natural choice, but consider alternatives like adjustable wall-mounted lights above the headboard. This way, you avoid cluttering your bedside cabinet and get focused light where it’s needed most.

Ideas and inspiration

  • Swing-arm wall lights can be repositioned easily to direct light exactly where you need it.
  • Clip-on reading lights give a flexible and portable option – they’re great for traditional iron frame beds, but can be tricky to attach to padded headboards.
  • Adjustable desk lamps work well on children’s workstations.

General functional lighting: bright and broad

General functional lighting covers your overall illumination needs, such as when you’re cleaning, organising or getting dressed. Typically, this would be an overhead light fixture. But there’s no need to settle for mundane options.

Ideas and inspiration

  • Chandeliers give a touch of elegance, as long as the ceiling is high enough.
  • Recessed ceiling lights offer a modern, streamlined look.
  • Several pendant lights aligned above the bed, or in a square around the room, bring symmetry and coverage.

Mood lighting: creating ambience

When it’s time to unwind, mood lighting plays an instrumental role in creating a relaxing atmosphere, whether you’re reading, listening to music or just unwinding after a hard day. This involves using softer, diffused light sources that evoke a sense of calm and relaxation.

Ideas and inspiration

  • Dimmer switches allow you to control the light intensity to match your mood.
  • Fairy lights or string lights can add a soft, whimsical touch.
  • Salt lamps emit a warm glow that can give your bedroom a grotto feel.

Makeup lighting: a flawless reflection

Makeup lighting demands precision and consistency, and is typically located around your dressing table mirror to achieve a shadowless, diffused illumination. Good makeup lighting simulates natural daylight, in a departure from what’s usually demanded in the bedroom.

Ideas and inspiration

  • Hollywood-style light-up mirrors with bulbs surrounding the frame.
  • Vanity strip lights with adjustable brightness settings.
  • Table-top ring lights which mimic daylight.

The home office: necessity breeds invention

Working from home is a part of many office workers’ lives, and due to space concerns, the bedroom has sometimes been the only place available. On the face of it, it’s good use of space, as the bedroom isn’t being used otherwise. But getting the lighting right makes you look professional on Zoom calls while maintaining the bedroom vibe when you’re off the clock.

Ideas and inspiration

  • Place your desk near a window so you can benefit from natural light during the day.
  • Organise your dressing table so it can double as an office, for minimum intrusiveness.
  • If you do a lot of video conferencing, consider a temporary lamp for your face if you’re not well lit.

Architectural lighting: highlighting features

Architectural lighting enhances the structural elements and textures in your room, adding depth and dimension. Strategic placement can emphasise architectural details like alcoves, beams or feature walls.

Ideas and inspiration

  • LED strip lighting can outline and accentuate architectural features.
  • Hidden lights, for example behind wardrobes or even under the bed, can add depth and dimension to the room.
  • Up-lighting fixtures highlight ceiling textures or wall art beautifully.

Lighting for furniture: useful and fun

Cupboard lighting is crucial for both function and flair. Whether it’s an internal light that activates upon opening the door, or external lights for visual appeal, proper cupboard illumination can be a welcome addition to any bedroom.

Ideas and inspiration

  • Use motion-sensor lights inside cupboards for convenience (battery-operated ones are available – they’ll last years).
  • LED light bars under shelves can create a stunning effect.
  • If you have particularly stunning furniture, be it ultra-modern or antique, why not spotlight it?

Natural light: harnessing the sun

Make the most of the natural light flowing into your bedroom. This not only saves electricity but also contributes to overall well-being. There’s nothing quite like that feeling of the sun streaming through the window – the direction the room faces determines the time of day it happens, but it’s a lovely effect when it does.

Ideas and inspiration

  • Sheer curtains help soften and diffuse sunlight.
  • Skylights or large windows maximise daylight.
  • Consider blackout curtains or blinds, or even shutters, if the sunrise or sunset affect your sleep pattern.

Every bedroom lighting choice, from the functional to the ambient, plays a role in shaping your living environment. Selective layering of various lighting types not only makes the space practical but also enhances its aesthetic appeal, ensuring that your bedroom remains a true haven of comfort and style. Let the bedroom glow with the aesthetic and functional effects of well-planned lighting.