Bedroom lighting ideas

Comfort and style in the bedroom

A bedroom asks two different things of its lighting: something bright and waking in the morning, and something soft and intimate at night. This article goes through the ideas and the practical advice that help you get both.

Where to start

The usual questions come up quickly. Are spotlights too harsh? Are wall lights a better idea than bedside lamps? How high should a pendant hang? Read on for our answers to all of those.

Ceiling lighting

The size of the room and the height of the ceiling decide what kind of ceiling light will work. If there is room for something with presence, match its scale to the furniture rather than to the room alone.

In a bedroom, pendants can also hang over the bedside tables — practical and good-looking at once, and they free up the surface underneath.

Table lamps

Table lamps are the classic answer beside a bed. They give you light to read by and a warm pool of light in the evening. Choose one that suits the room and is comfortable to switch on without getting up.

Wall lights

Wall lights save space and give you either directional or soft light, depending on the fitting. They work well above the headboard, on their own or alongside a ceiling light.

Brass or fabric shades bring warmth and a little elegance to a room that is otherwise plain.

Floor lamps

Floor lamps suit the corner of a room or a spot beside a dressing table. They add height and light at eye level, which softens a space. A clean design disappears into the interior rather than competing with it.

Finish the room with the right light

Combine the different kinds — ceiling, decorative and directional — and you get the balance a bedroom needs: enough light to function, and enough softness to rest in.