“How to choose the right lighting for my bedroom?” and “Why is bedroom lighting important” are commonly asked questions in interior design. This is not shocking since you may be spending eight hours of your time at the minimum in your bedroom daily. You may also second thought the need for proper bedroom lighting since you think most of the time spent in it is just for sleeping. But as you continue reading, you will realize that there’s more to lighting the bedroom than what you initially thought. For bright mornings and intimate nights, here are all the things you need to know about bedroom lighting.
Importance of Proper Bedroom Lighting
When you’re asked what you do in your bedroom, the first thing that pops into mind is sleeping. But in actual, there are many other tasks done in the bedroom that we don’t realize. Gone are the days when the bedroom is just a place for escape, sleep, and resting. With good lighting, the bedroom has been a multifunctional space able to host other activities such as working, reading, writing, watching television, working out, and a lot more.
After a long day at work, your bedroom is the place where you will most definitely go to. You’ll change clothes, fix your things, and perhaps rest for a while. For all these tasks, you’ll need light. Depending on that certain time of the day, you’ll need either natural or artificial lighting. Imagine having the luxury to do a lot of tasks in the comfort of your own bedroom. This goes to show how important proper bedroom lighting is.
Image Credit: Renonation, Space Define Interior
Lighting Your Bedroom
Lighting the bedroom is pretty basic. However, you need to follow some guidelines to achieve a well-lit bedroom. First and foremost, layering your bedroom lighting should be accomplished. By having properly balanced lighting, a beautiful and comfortable space will be achieved.
In general, we recommend soft diffused general lighting supported by strategically placed task lighting with a touch of accent lighting for an enjoyable bedroom experience.
Ambient Lighting for the Bedroom
Ambient lighting is the foundation of a good bedroom lighting scheme. With soft light and wide reach, the whole bedroom is illuminated making it possible to do simple tasks.
Chandeliers, ceiling lamps, flush mounts and pendant lamps can all provide ambient lighting. There are many options available in the market. Make sure it matches perfectly with the theme of your bedroom.
Shop this look: WALBRIDGE Wooden Square Ceiling Lamp
Task Lighting for the Bedroom
Task lighting provides the option to do focused tasks in the bedroom. Activities such as reading, working, grooming, and drawing are all possible with a bright and focused light.
Desk lamp is the most classic example of a task light in the bedroom. But you may also opt for other lighting fixtures such as pendant lamps, table lamps, and wall lamps.
Get this look: BJOERN A Step Forward Extending Lamp
Accent Lighting for the Bedroom
Since general lighting and task lighting are already available, it’s now time to make sure that your room is visually attractive. Accent lighting may not only provide highlight and accent but it may also give general illumination. This gives accent lights double purpose and hence very useful in your bedroom. A good example is an under cabinet lighting which give a cozy atmosphere and accent while also providing both task and ambient lighting.
Other light sources that provide accent lighting are wall lamps, led strips, recessed lights, and spotlights.
Image Credit: Home Reno Guru, The Mind Design
There’s more to lighting the bedroom than mixing up layers of lighting. Other factors should also be considered for a more well-lit room to be achieved, such as the room’s function, orientation, and the light bulb to be user.
Bedroom Function
As mentioned earlier, knowing the function of your room is critical for your lighting. Do you read in your room? What time do you do it? What are your other habits that requires light?
If reading is your go-to to for relaxation, then you’ll be needing good reading lights. If you prefer to relax in your room or watch netflix and simply chill, then an atmospheric and dim lighting is more suitable for you.
Bedroom Orientation
The orientation of your bedroom will also affect the lighting design of the room due to the presence of natural light. Let’s discuss the effect of your bedroom’s orientation when facing the east or the west.
East Facing Windows
When the bedroom is facing east, the sun will light up the room early in the day. Morning sun can be both good and bad, depending on furniture arrangements. To be exact, presence of natural light early in the morning can be energizing. On the other hand, it can also be an annoying wake up call.
If it’s bright in the morning then definitely it will be a bit dark in the afternoon. This is where artificial lighting solutions should be considered, especially if you work or read inside your room during late afternoons.
West Facing Windows
Obviously, west facing windows are the opposite of windows facing the east- afternoon will be bright while mornings are just fine. It should not affect artificial lighting that much. Be wary though of the amount of light and heat that will affect your room in the afternoon.
Image Credit: Renonation, Design 4 Space
Color Temperature and Bulb for Bedrooms
Bedrooms are often recommended to have warm white lighting or those ranging from 2,700 to 3,000 Kelvin. Having warm white lighting is both inviting and relaxing, perfect for your bedroom.
For the light bulb, LEDs are highly recommended. Usually highly durable, LEDs are also economical.
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Recommended Lighting Fixtures
Chandeliers
Usually incorporated with living room and dining room lighting, chandeliers can also be used in the bedroom. With a chandelier installed, glamour and elegance are added into the room.
Chandeliers have different intensity and amount of light provided depending on the design. For the bedroom, choose the one that gives a diffuse and moderate light. Furthermore, don not install the chandelier directly over the head of the bed. Instead, keep it towards the center of the room, probably on the lower third of your bed. Lastly, to get the most out of your chandelier, make sure that you have a high ceiling. If not, then go with other lighting fixtures available.
Get this look: Makani Rope Rings Hanging Chandelier
Ceiling Mounted Fixtures
Ceiling mounted fixtures are very common because of its obvious economic disadvantages. Besides being cheaper than chandeliers, it also provides a minimalist feel for the bedroom.
If you have a low ceiling, this is the best option. But make sure to choose a frosted ceiling mounted fixture so you don’t have to look up directly on the bright bulb when lying down. There are many different options, choose the one that will blend perfectly with the theme of your room.
Shop this look: VILHELMINA Inclined Elliptical Ceiling Light
Pendant Lights
Pendant Lights are a very trendy option. The best thing about pendant lights is that it can be used as ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. For the latter, the use of pendant lights instead of wall lamps has been popular recently.
Using pendant light as the main source of illumination will require a high bedroom ceiling. Although the rod of the pendant light is adjustable, it will not give the same look if you have it too high with a short rod. Also note that for general lighting, you have to position it near the bottom of the bed, towards the center of the room. Lastly, avoid using pendant lamps hanging over walkways; instead, install it over furniture such as desks, bedside tables, and the bed.
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Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans seemed to be a lost art but it has found its way back into the interior design world. In Singapore where it seems to be summer everyday, a source of light that doubles as a fan is always welcome. There are a lot of commercially available ceiling fan lights in the Singapore market both for a modern and contemporary setting.
Obviously, ceiling fans is not recommended for very low ceiling bedrooms. If your ceiling height is good, we recommend ceiling fan lights with frosted or white opaque glass and with availability of remote control.
Image Credit: Qanvast, Absolook Interior Design
Recessed Lights
For low ceiling bedrooms, we highly recommend installing recessed lights as an additional source of light. It can be used both as an accent light and an ambient light. With recessed ceiling lights, an illusion of a higher ceiling is established.
The standard is to space recessed lights three to five feet apart; anything more than or less than this will be too bright or almost non existent, respectively. For walk in closets, recessed lights matched with cove ceiling lighting are the best option.
Image Credit: Says, Qanvast
Track Lighting
Track lights are not often used in bedrooms. However, we highly recommend it because of its versatility. With a track light installed, you may be able to highlight a special feature of your large bedroom or brighten a vanity area.
Track lights will work best with a minimalist, industrial, and contemporary bedroom. It can also be used for other themes but make sure to check that it isn’t too forced.
Image Credit: Qanvast, Posh Homes
Wall Lamps
Wall lamps or sconces are elegant solution to bedside lighting. It can also be installed near desks as a substitute to desk lamps. It is more modern and sleek. Go with adjustable wall lamps if you are using it as a task light when on your desk.
Shop this here: Brunoma Chic n Classy Wall Lamp
There’s no such thing as the best lighting for all bedrooms. There is however a best set of lighting for your bedroom. The theme of your room pretty much dictates what lighting will work well that’s why it’s important to have a central theme that will define your bedroom. Also, you cannot forget the importance of layering lighting in the bedroom. With layered lights, you will not only illuminate the room but also provide functionality and comfortability to your bedroom.
