According to the American Lighting Association, it is estimated that the average person spends over 40% of his or her life within a bedroom setting, and for good cause! The bedroom is considered as a sanctuary, a place where one can lie down and relax. However, in this modern time, the bedroom setting has significantly evolved and has become a multi-functional room in many homes. From personal study space to a mini-entertainment center, the bedroom has taken on many different roles and is considered to be an epitome of personal space for many. This is where bedroom lighting comes in!
Bedroom lighting is considered an integral part of every bedroom setting. It not only creates the perfect ambience but also helps to complement a theme while at the same time setting a mood within the bedroom. Conventional lighting usually encompassed a single lighting fixture, but with modern technology and multi-functional lighting needs, there has been an emergence of numerous lighting trends for the bedroom setting which makes the process of setting up lighting fixtures quite challenging for most individuals. If you are in such a scenario, you don't need to worry as the following overview will give you an in-depth look into bedroom lighting and the various options you have in terms of lighting fixtures.
The selection of bedroom lighting fixtures that you consider will be largely based on your personal preferences. As a rule, there are a number of questions that you should keep in mind and that will help you address your lighting needs. These questions are:
Answering these questions will be the first step towards coming up with a viable solution for your lighting needs.
There are 3 major types of lighting that are commonly used within a bedroom setting. The following is an overview of these lighting types, the atmosphere they create and the best lighting fixtures that can be used to achieve these looks.
Also known as general lighting, ambient is one of the most fundamental lighting styles that forms an integral part of a bedroom lighting plan. Ambient light can be best described as a soft glow that blankets the bedroom area with just enough illumination without a harsh glare.
Ambient light can be thought of as a form of natural light since the main aim when creating ambient lighting is to create a lighting effect that is close to natural lighting. To achieve this, the lighting is made to be both flat and natural.
Ambient or general lighting fixtures are usually meant to help carry out most normal activities within the bedroom setting such as getting from point a to b. However, this kind of lighting is not ideal when working closely with detailed tasks or even for illuminating or highlighting decor within the bedroom setting.
Ambient lighting creates a cool environment for one to relax after a long day at work or better yet, just lie down without the need of completely turning off the light. Ambient lighting is often referred to as mood or romantic lighting since the soft light is best suited for a romantic setting. Ambient lighting is also a favorite in most yoga studios and massage rooms due to its therapeutic and relaxing effect.
The following fixtures are the best when it comes to creating this kind of lighting within a bedroom setting:
Also known as track lights, recessed light are considered the best when it comes to ambient lighting. Bedroom track lighting generally requires the track lights to be used in a sequence or series throughout the bedroom so as to create an even, natural glow throughout the room. As a rule, you should always be careful not to create a glare when using these fixtures.
These lighting fixtures are highly rated when it comes to ambient lighting for bedrooms with high ceilings. Since pendants and chandeliers are hanging lights, their height can be adjusted to provide the best illumination within bedrooms that have high ceilings. They also double up as decorative light pieces due to their beautiful design.
These 2 types of light fixtures are also very effective when it comes to creating ambient light within the bedroom setting. However, you must pay special attention when using sconce fixtures to create ambient lighting, as using too many sconces in one location will create too bright lighting. Sconces are also considered as being the best fixtures for decorative and contemporary lighting.
Ceiling lights are another viable alternative when it comes to ambient lighting. However, it is generally recommended that light shades be used with bedroom ceiling light fixtures to reduce the glare and produce cool, even lighting conditions that can be quite remarkable in a space.
Task lighting can be best described as a form of lighting whose sole purpose is to help one effectively carry out a given task. In the bedroom setting, task lighting can be utilized for various purposes. For instance, task lights are most commonly used for bedside reading or for studying and reading. As a rule, task lighting usually works well in a bedroom setup where there are contrasting lighting conditions. For instance, the whole bedroom could be illuminated using ambient light fixtures while task light fixtures produce a much brighter light within specific areas of the room. A good example would be a low-lit bedroom with bright table lamps for bedroom reading.
Task lights are very important since an individual has a higher capacity to concentrate when using a task light as opposed to being in a well-lit room
The contrasting lighting associated with task lighting helps an individual stay alert and concentrate more by naturally stimulating the brain. This is why many offices and businesses usually prefer using task lighting on desks.
The following fixtures are considered to be the best when utilizing task lighting:
Bedroom touch lamps are contemporary lighting fixtures that are considered to be the best for task lighting. They can be used either as bedside lamps for reading or even on study tables and are very popular with young children since they are super easy to use.
Swing arm lights are a great option when choosing bedroom lighting fixtures for task lighting. Swing arm lamps are portable and their arms can be adjusted in any direction and can be used in any bedroom setting. For instance, they can be used as table lamps for bedrooms and also for bedroom wardrobe lighting. They are great on desks too since you can focus the light on a specific area of the desk.
LED lights for bedrooms are also another viable option when it comes to task lighting. LED lights can be used to illuminate specific areas within the bedroom, giving one spot better visibility and increased concentration.
Track lights and pendant lights are another great idea when it comes to task lights for a bedroom space. Both of these lights are highly rated since they typically hang down directly above a workplace and offer the best illumination. Pendants tend to be small while track lights can be a little bit larger in size. Due to this difference, track lights come highly commended for task areas in both children's and teenager's bedroom settings since they commonly include study area and/or play areas.
Accent lighting is another popular form of lighting used within a bedroom setting. Accent lighting is usually characterized by very bright lighting and is most commonly used to add style and drama to a certain section of the bedroom. Accent lighting is quite unique in nature and when switched on, brings in a contemporary angle to the room. Some consider it to be a funky lighting style.
Accent lighting creates a very sophisticated atmosphere and evokes a feeling of meaning and importance wherever used. It is most commonly used for paintings, decorative pieces, wardrobes and dressing tables. However, decorative lights tend to be quite bright, so they are commonly used with a switch and have to be turned on and off for use.
Accent lighting can be achieved using quite a number of lighting fixtures. The following is an overview of these fixtures:
Wall lights for the bedroom are quite effective for achieving accent lighting. Wall lights come in a wide range of sizes and intensity and can be used for highlighting purposes with varying degrees of light intensity.
Spotlights for bedrooms are another good example of accent lighting fixtures. Spotlights can produce a lot of light and it is generally recommended that they should be installed together with an adjustable lighting switch to give one the ability to adjust the light brightness if the need arises.
Within a bedroom setup, there exists a class of lighting fixtures that can be best described as special purpose lighting. These lighting fixtures include:
Wardrobe lighting is considered as being very essential in a bedroom setup. Bedroom lighting can be categorized to a certain extent under task lighting and in a majority of cases makes use of LED lighting fixtures since they occupy minimal space while producing plenty of light.
Bedroom fans with lights also fall under the category of special purpose bedroom lighting. This type of lighting fixture is readily available in stores and as a norm, comes in many varieties with some fans even having a lantern attached to them.
It is generally recommended that you adopt a layering approach when selecting lights for your bedroom. Layering as a style of lighting that basically dictates all kinds of lighting styles should be adopted and layered in such a manner that they produce the best results. Fan lighting systems are highly recommended in areas that experience high temperatures. However, the fan may not be necessarily for the sole purpose of regulating temperature within a room. It can also be used for decorative purposes as well.
Now that you know what is available in the market in terms of lighting fixtures and the various styles of lighting, the next step would be to determine what style of lighting you would require in your bedroom. The following are a few tips that might help you during this process:
Bedroom lighting is very essential to the room, and so is space within your bedroom. As such, it is highly recommended that you first size up your bedroom before determining the best lighting fixtures for the room, since the wrong choice of fixtures can have a negative impact and in some instances make a room feel much smaller than it actually is.
For smaller bedrooms or bedrooms with low hanging ceilings, it is generally not recommended to use overhanging lights such as pendants. This is because pendants and sconces take up a lot of space and when used, the end result will be the feeling of a cramped bedroom with minimal space. Recessed lights and wall lights for bedrooms would be a great idea in this case as they utilize very little space.
For small bedrooms, you should also avoid lighting fixtures that have long bodies, as they tend to take up a lot of space and instead opt for shorter, flush-mounted fixtures.
Theme is also an important factor that should be considered when selecting lighting fixtures for a bedroom setting. You most likely have a theme in mind and as such, your main interest would be naturally to look for fixtures that would fit in well or better still, complement your current theme.
There are certain lighting fixtures that go well with a modern contemporary theme while others are best cut out for a traditional unique theme. For instance, chandelier lights are considered as the best for traditional themes, tiffany style lighting pendants are also another great idea. Modern themes on the other hand are compatible with virtually all types of fixtures.
For children bedrooms, the theme tends to incorporate a lot of color with some of the most common colors being used are white, blue, red and even black. In such a scenario, it is usually advisable to go for lighting fixtures with shadings that incorporate these colors so as to be able to get the best results.
The location of the lighting fixtures will play a major role on the lighting effect within the room. As a start, never install a lighting fixture directly over the bed, as it can be very uncomfortable staring directly at a light source while lying down. We have already outlined the different types of ambient lighting fixtures and as such, it would be better to stick to these fixtures so as to avoid this.
As a rule, your ultimate goal when selecting bedroom lighting should be to create the perfect ambience within your bedroom setting. Good ambience brings about a better mood and narrows down to perfect lighting. In view of this, ensure you practice the lighting basics: layering of ambient, task and accent lights, when setting up your fixtures so as to get the best ambience.
The location of lighting switches is also another very important factor that should be considered when setting up lighting fixtures in your bedroom. Switches are designed to bring in an aspect of convenience when turning lights on or off, but if poorly located, they can bring about a lot of inconvenience.
In view of this, ensure every switch is located at the most convenient location so as to ensure you have a pleasant experience when controlling the lights. Alternatively, you can also opt for high-tech lighting controls, which make use of a remote to control the various light fixtures.
Bulbs come in many shapes and sizes as well as different intensities. As such, it would be in your best interest to ensure you get the best bulb cutout for the various lighting fixtures according to size, shape and most importantly, the lighting intensity you desire.
A filament bulb can add a retro feel to your bedroom interior while halogens have the capacity to provide sharp crisp lighting.
Lighting fixtures can also be used as stylish accessories for decorative purposes. For instance, there are plenty of lampshades and pendants that have intricate patterns and as such double up as decorative pieces. There are also a number of designer bedroom lights that can be used for decorative purposes.
Layering is an important concept ,which if well implemented, can produce amazing results. Layering basically involves the use of different types of lighting within the bedroom setting and when doing so `layering' the different light sources so as to serve different functions and at the end of it all, produce one grand general effect.
When layering, an individual uses ambient lighting sources and combines the ambient light with task lighting and accent lighting so as to achieve the desired effect. However, it is important to note that all these lighting fixtures should not be controlled using a single switch so as to give an individual the freedom to control the lighting based on the need.
Adjustable lighting switches, also known as dimming switches, are another great alternative when it comes to lighting fixtures for bedrooms. Adjustable lighting switches can be used with a large number of lighting fixtures but as a rule, are best suited for ambient lighting fixtures.
With adjustable lighting, one has the freedom to determine the light intensity within a particular setting. For instance if it is in a children's bedroom, ambient lighting can be adjusted to the best intensity so as to provide the perfect ambience at different times of the night: it can be adjusted to produce soft low intensity light when a child is sleeping.
Indirect lighting is also another great idea when it comes to lighting fixtures for a bedroom setup. Indirect lighting also known as hidden lighting normally makes use of furniture to hide lighting sources and by doing so produces a soft ambient light that creates the perfect mood within a bedroom setup.
As a norm, LED lights are most commonly used in this kind of setup due to their small size and variety when it comes to colors: LED lighting can be found in red, blue, white and even green colors. The varied color range has made indirect lighting quite popular especially in children's bedroom where it's most commonly used in creating skylines on the ceiling.
Other kinds of bulbs can also be used in hidden light fixtures but as a standard, this will largely depend on the space available for fitting the fixtures.
By considering the above-mentioned factors and putting these tips into practice, you are ensured to create the perfect lighting assembly for your bedroom. When creating an outline of your bedroom lighting fixtures, it is gene rally recommended that you consult a professional so as to get a second opinion and most importantly, shop around to get a general fill on what is available so as to have a better idea on what you can achieve. By doing this, you will be able to have one of the best lighting assemblies in your home.