Good quality lighting is crucial not only for aesthetics and wellbeing, but also for reading a good book. When planning your bedroom lighting, consider things like the size of the room, the height of the ceiling and the needs and activities of the space. Small rooms might need clutter-free bedside tables, while multiple lighting fixtures can make even the largest rooms feel intimate.
The ultimate bedroom lighting guide
We’ve created the ultimate guide to bedroom lighting.
From decorative additions and sculptural statements, to functional favourites for essential reading, these ideas will help you create the right mood in the best possible style.
Focus & function
If space isn’t an issue, a striking floor light makes a beautiful statement in a bedroom. Floor lamps can also brighten up a reading corner when strategically placed directly over an armchair or on one side of the bed. Perhaps the most useful type of light source, opt for a good table lamp – modern, traditional or colourful – for function and flavour.
Try textures
While planning your lighting is a good idea, there are no hard and fast rules. Don’t be afraid to combine textures and materials, shapes and sizes. Metallic finishes bring a touch of luxury to a room, while paper shades and textured materials add contrast and interest. Oversize organic shapes in smooth glass will help soften rectilinear rooms and add a gentle glow.
Layer your lighting
Mixing ambient, decorative and task lighting will create a layered scheme that adds depth and balances warmth, cosiness and function. Combining hanging, floor and table lights helps to create ‘zones’ in a room, providing practical and mood lighting for various activities such as relaxing, reading and dressing.
Light as art
If lighting is the jewellery of the home, a wall-mounted light installation is a great way to make a statement and save space. Perfect for small rooms, wall lights free up bedside tables and negate the need for floor space. Adding interest to focal walls, they can emit ambient or directional light, depending on your choice, and create a clean, boutique hotel look.
Perfectly imperfect
Asymmetry is in, so throw caution to the wind and embrace irregularity. Think vertically and hang a statement suspension light on one bedside while using a table light on the other. Great for high ceilings, suspension lights help to bring corners in, create a focal point and also keep bedside tables clear. Luxe metals and glass set an elevated tone, while emitting soft glowy lighting.
