Bharat SainiLast Updated on September 15, 2014 by Bharat Saini
The bedroom is not just a place for sleeping, there are a lot more things happening in this room and having the proper lighting helps you to perform these activities. While dim lighting is best to provide a soothing ambience at night to induce relaxation and sleep, this is not enough for reading your favorite book before you go to bed or finish your reports. Your bedroom will need to have a mix of lighting fixtures that will provide varying levels of illumination to help you perform different activities within this space.
Here are some tips to help you achieve the perfect lighting for your personal sanctuary.
Measure Your Room
The first thing you need to do before you start buying light fixtures for your bedroom is to measure the size of your room. Take these measurements with you, along with the locations of the power outlets and placement of furniture when you go shopping for lights. Lighting experts can then assist you better in filling up your bedroom with the right lighting.
The first thing you need to do before you start buying light fixtures for your bedroom is to measure the size of your room. Take these measurements with you, along with the locations of the power outlets and placement of furniture when you go shopping for lights. Lighting experts can then assist you better in filling up your bedroom with the right lighting.
Get the Right Height
Always take scale into consideration. Usually, bedroom ceilings are 8 to 9 feet high so it is better to opt for flush or semi-flush mounts for lighting than to have ceiling pendants or a chandelier. If you want to incorporate ceiling pendants into your room, these would work best beside your bed for reading, instead of having table lamps on your bedside tables. These may also be placed on either side of your vanity for task lighting.
Always take scale into consideration. Usually, bedroom ceilings are 8 to 9 feet high so it is better to opt for flush or semi-flush mounts for lighting than to have ceiling pendants or a chandelier. If you want to incorporate ceiling pendants into your room, these would work best beside your bed for reading, instead of having table lamps on your bedside tables. These may also be placed on either side of your vanity for task lighting.
Determine Your Bedroom’s Functions
The types of light fixtures you will need in your bedroom will depend on the type of activities that you intend to do in this room, so you will have to identify what these are. If you have a work desk or a reading nook, you will need directed lighting. A vanity will be demanding bright light as well. Sitting areas will need softer shaded lighting fixtures.
The types of light fixtures you will need in your bedroom will depend on the type of activities that you intend to do in this room, so you will have to identify what these are. If you have a work desk or a reading nook, you will need directed lighting. A vanity will be demanding bright light as well. Sitting areas will need softer shaded lighting fixtures.
Get the Right Shade
Lamps with shades that are too opaque will make the room look dark. When buying lamp fixtures, don’t just choose based on appearance, get one that is also functional. Choose a lamp with a softly diffused shade. Test before purchasing and turn it on to see how much lighting it produces.
Lamps with shades that are too opaque will make the room look dark. When buying lamp fixtures, don’t just choose based on appearance, get one that is also functional. Choose a lamp with a softly diffused shade. Test before purchasing and turn it on to see how much lighting it produces.
Positioning is Key
Soft light at face level is much more comfortable than direct light from over the bed. Imagine yourself lying down flat on your bed with the light overhead on. Then imagine yourself lying on your bed with a desk lamp instead of a ceiling light directly above you. There is much less eye strain from the lamp and the softer glow coming from the lampshade will have a more relaxing effect on you.
Soft light at face level is much more comfortable than direct light from over the bed. Imagine yourself lying down flat on your bed with the light overhead on. Then imagine yourself lying on your bed with a desk lamp instead of a ceiling light directly above you. There is much less eye strain from the lamp and the softer glow coming from the lampshade will have a more relaxing effect on you.
Have a Good Mix
Having a single light in your bedroom will either give you a scarcely lit room or, if the light is too bright, an unpleasant glaring. It is better to have a mix of lighting within the bedroom with low wattage, so the light is comfortably spread around this space, with a few task lighting placed where they are needed.
Having a single light in your bedroom will either give you a scarcely lit room or, if the light is too bright, an unpleasant glaring. It is better to have a mix of lighting within the bedroom with low wattage, so the light is comfortably spread around this space, with a few task lighting placed where they are needed.
Let Dimmers Do the Trick
Create a soothing ambience with dimmers that let you control the level of lighting depending on the time of day. You can also use softer or colored lights bulbs to alter the mood in your bedroom.
Create a soothing ambience with dimmers that let you control the level of lighting depending on the time of day. You can also use softer or colored lights bulbs to alter the mood in your bedroom.
Don’t Forget the Closets
Closets need lighting, too. Mount your closet lighting about 12 inches from the edge of the upper shelf or the rod. Avoid putting a hot light bulb very near delicate clothes. Fluorescent lights are recommended because they provide adequate lighting and very minimal heat. They are also energy efficient.
Closets need lighting, too. Mount your closet lighting about 12 inches from the edge of the upper shelf or the rod. Avoid putting a hot light bulb very near delicate clothes. Fluorescent lights are recommended because they provide adequate lighting and very minimal heat. They are also energy efficient.
Reading Lamps
Reading lights placed on nightstands make it very convenient for book lovers to adjust the light to their taste by swivelling or moving its arm. Make sure that your reading lamp is well-shielded so you don’t see the bulb and the light is not too glaring.
Reading lights placed on nightstands make it very convenient for book lovers to adjust the light to their taste by swivelling or moving its arm. Make sure that your reading lamp is well-shielded so you don’t see the bulb and the light is not too glaring.
Having the proper lighting in your bedroom can definitely transform your private space into a much more relaxing sanctuary that can be shifted to be a leisure or work space whenever necessary. Invest in great lighting fixtures to achieve a multi-functional bedroom that will not only serve as a relaxing refuge at night but also as a productive area for hobbies and work.
About Author
Joan Silver is a known lighting expert from Capitol Lighting (1800lighting.com) and a fan of all things “lighting”. She currently provides customers and designers with robust information on their lighting needs.
