In any bedroom setting, lighting is considered to be one of the most important elements, and even more so if the bedroom is meant for kids. A child’s bedroom is considered as a form of sanctuary, a safe haven where a kid should feel completely at home and as is the norm, kid’s room lights play a major role when it comes to this.
Kids room lighting should not only be able to address the traditional purpose of lighting which is functionality but should also be able to set a particular mood within the bedroom while at the same time complementing the decor and most importantly the theme within a bedroom. However, unlike other forms of bedroom lighting, kids’ room lighting tends to be an intricate process, which requires some form of delicate balance due to the different types of lights that have to be incorporated within a room as well as the varied preference for each kid.
Selecting the lighting plan for a child’s bedroom can be quite challenging. However, there are a number of questions which when answered can help give you a much clear perspective on what needs to be done. These questions are -
Age of the child: The child’s age will to a large extent determine the kind of lighting fixtures and styles to be used. For instance in the case of very young children or infants, you will be basically making a lighting plan for a nursery which does not require a lot. However for much older kids, the lighting plan has to be more detailed and in most instances would require you to combine different types of lights and even carry out some layering while at the same time sticking to a very particular theme.
Gender of the child: Simply put, the gender of the child will have a major impact on the theme, type of lighting fixture and style used within a room. Theme preferences for boys greatly differ from those of girls and subsequently, so do the lighting plans.
Functionality of the light: the functionality of the light source is also a major determinant as to the lighting fixtures to be used. For instance, children bedside lamps are good for task lighting while kids ceiling lights and hanging lamps are considered as being best for ambient lighting.
Theme: the theme you might wish to create within the child’s bedroom will also largely dictate the type of fixtures to be used. As mentioned earlier, the child’s sex is a major determinant as to the theme and consequently the fixtures to be used so as to complement the theme. For instance most boys usually prefer a planet, football or even traffic theme.
By answering the above questions, you will be able to ascertain the lighting needs for your kid’s bedroom. However, it is also important to have some knowledge on the different types of lighting so as to be able to better incorporate them within your child’s bedroom lighting plan.
There are basically 3 major types of lighting: ambient, task and accent lighting. The following is an overview of these 3 major types of lighting and where they can be best used within a child’s bedroom.
Ambient lighting often referred to as mood lighting can be best described as a lighting condition, which closely resembles natural lighting. Ambient light also known as general light has the capacity to offer just enough illumination within a particular area without necessarily causing a harsh glare.
Ambient lighting is made both neutral and flat and as a norm is best used as a form of general lighting for the entire children’s bedroom. As a norm, it is usually advisable to have a dimmer switch for ambient light fixtures so as to be able to adjust the light to a very low intensity at night since most kids are afraid of the dark.
Semi-flush mount lighting – this form of flush mounting is one of the most popular options when it comes to night light ambient light fixtures for kid’s bedroom. As a norm, the flush mount cover usually features some form of pattern which when illuminated casts a luminous pattern throughout the room. Some of the patterns that are quite popular include planet, traffic, galaxy and sport themes while ladies usually prefer clouds or snow themed flush mount illuminations. Kids fairy lights are also another favorite for girls.
However it is important to note that this light fixture is best suited as a night light for bedtime and as such it would be in your best interest to install another source of ambient light for more practical purposes.
Chandelier children ceiling lights: chandeliers are another viable option when it comes to ambient lighting of kids bedrooms. However, chandeliers tend to be more popular with the girls since they help to bring out better themes associated with girls’ bedroom. However they can also function well when used within a boy’s bedroom.
Kids wall lights: wall light fixtures such as sconce are also a great option when it comes to ambient lighting within kids bedroom. However, special attention should be paid to ensure that the sconces do not cluster too close together as their combined lighting will bring about too much glare.
Task lighting also forms an integral part of kids’ room lights. Task lighting can be described as a type of lighting whose main purpose is to enable one to effectively carry out a given task with proper illumination. In a kids bedroom setup, task lighting can be used for various functions. Desk lamps Table lamps are most commonly used for bedside reading or in the case of older kids, studying. Floor lamps in a nursery setup can be located within the feeding area or near the playing pen for younger children.
As a rule, task lighting should have a contrasting effect when compared to the surrounding lighting conditions so as to give an individual the capacity to concentrate better. The best setup would be for the entire bedroom setup could be lit using ambient light with specific areas having task light fixtures.
Torch lamps: torch lamps are by far considered the best when it comes to task lighting. They can be used on study tables or even as reading lamps.
Bedside lamps: bedside lamps are another very popular option when it comes to kids room task lighting fixtures. As a norm, bedside lamps meant for kids room are quite unlike most regular bedside lamps as they tend to have a particular type of theme. For instance for boys, there are fire truck lamps, baseball lamps, skateboard amps, sail boat lamps and even Treasure Island lamps. Girls also have a wide selection of themed bedside lamps with the most popular being doll skirt lamps, butterfly lamps, purse lamps and even apron lamps.
Led lights: LED lights for kids are another popular option when it comes to task lighting. LED lights have the advantage of being quite bright and as such help a child focus more when performing a particular task.
Accent lighting can be described as a form of lighting whose main function is to draw attention to a specific object within a room. In most instances this is usually a decorative item such as a painting or miniature statue.
In a child’s bedroom, accent lighting is not so popular but if used it would more often than not be highlighting an atlas, potted plant, toy or if in a boys room a tropical island or galaxy.
LED lights: this are considered as best for accent lighting. For instance picture a miniature tropical island highlighted by a luminous blue led light or perhaps a hanging planetary constellation illuminated by a reddish LED light, quite breathtaking!
As a rule, it is recommended that you adopt a layering approach when incorporating these 3 lighting styles within a child’s bedroom. always ensure that the different lighting styles interact seamlessly with each other and that all lighting fixtures should not only augur well with the theme being created but should also go a long way to promote the theme.
It would also be in your best interest to carry out some speculative shopping for kids bedroom lighting fixtures before you start out on your planning phase so as to have prior knowledge of what options you have. At wegotlites.com, we have a wide range of kid room light fixtures and a look at our online store will give you an insight into hundreds of products under this category.
The following is an overview of some great tips which when employed while laying out your child's bedroom light can yield remarkable results.
As a rule, you should always consider a child’s interest when buying light fixtures. Instead of buying kids lamps in the form of a licensed cartoon character: which most kids outgrow within a few years, you should consider their interests. For instance if a kid is interested in sports you should consider purchasing sport themed light fixtures as opposed to licensed. The same applies to kids who have an interest in arts, nature and even science.
Most kids especially toddlers and preschoolers are particularly afraid of the dark and as a norm feel more secure when there is some form of light installed within the room. As such, it would be in your best interest to ensure that you have installed a night-light to make your child feel safe and secure at night.
Night-lights come in a wide range of styles and sizes. There are some night-light that can be flush mounted on the ceiling while others are in form of table lamps which project images on the ceiling. However whichever your choice is, always ensure that the night-light is themed in line with your child’s preference.
As with any other room within a house, layering is equally important when it comes to kids bedrooms. As a rule, you should have some form of ambient light which should then be complemented with task lighting for more involving tasks such as studying or even feeding in the event the child is an infant.
Having a theme is very important when it comes to kids room lights. A theme acts as a form of guideline as to the type of lighting fixtures to be used within a kids room and as a norm can produce remarkable results. For instance if you intend to create a nature themed bedroom setting for your kid, ensure that the light fixtures not only augur well with that particular theme but also complement it. The same applies for other types of themes.
Setting the right mood is considered as being of outmost importance especially in a bedroom setting. For a normal bedroom setting mood is somehow an easy task but for a kids bedroom it will require a little bit of effort.
For starters, mood setting requires layering of different types of lighting such as ambient and task lighting. In a child's room, the different lighting styles should be able to create conspicuous zones within the room. For instance, there should be a reading area, feeding area, play area or even hobby area, which should be illuminated by task light fixtures such as table lamps and floor lamps. Ambient light should then be used to illuminate the rest of the areas.
The location of light switches is also another factor that you should consider when setting up light fixtures within a kids bedroom. For small infants, it would be much more appropriate to have the light switch at the rooms entrance for easier access when entering the room. As the kid grows older, you would have to slightly modify the lighting and switch arrangement so as to offer the kid greater lighting control when in bed. A bed lamp and a wall switch located near the door for ambient lighting is highly recommended in this case
We have a wide range of kid room lights fixtures at great prices. From half flush ceiling lights to table lamps, the list is endless. We pride ourselves at being the best place to find high quality as well custom made lighting fixtures at great prices.