Lighting in the bedroom - instructions on how to choose and organize lighting for the bedroom in 2022

Choice of concept

There are two types of lighting concepts in modern interior design. This is European and American. Let's look at them in a little more detail.

Planning lighting according to the European style means paying tribute to tradition. This approach requires the presence of a ceiling lamp that provides soft diffused light throughout the room. The general lamp is complemented by local floor lamps, sconces, and table lamps, which create light accents and perform a decorative function. This lighting concept is well known and still popular, especially in Russia.

The American type of lighting is the absence of general light and a large number of local lamps with multidirectional luminous flux. In this way, accent zones are highlighted, space is zoned, and lighting performs a decorative function. This approach is more suitable for a bedroom; it allows you to create a secluded area for reading and relaxation. In terms of electricity consumption, the American concept is more economical, since you will only use light where it is really needed.

When choosing one or another lighting concept, it is necessary to take into account the cardinal directions, the presence of windows in the bedroom and, therefore, natural light and the location of the bedroom relative to other rooms in the apartment. The general requirement for lighting in the bedroom is that it should be comfortable, sufficient and dim.

What is a sconce, characteristic features of models for the bedroom

Among all the wall lighting options, the sconce stands out for its characteristic design feature - the socket is attached to a curved horn. From French “sconce” or “bras” is translated as “hand”. That is, the configuration of this lamp resembles a hand holding a torch or a candle. These lamps can have either a single horn or several “arms”.

Sconces are a modification of candle candelabra, which were gradually replaced by lamps. This type of lamps came into use back in the 17th century and has not lost its relevance to this day. Most often, sconces are used in bedrooms for their soft diffused light, comfortable for the eyes.

Types of lighting

Lighting in any room, not just the bedroom, can be divided into four groups: general, local, accent, decorative. A competent approach to bedroom lighting means creating a preliminary project that includes:

room size;
placement of light sources;
electrical wiring (switches, sockets, dimmers);
power of electrical equipment, types of lamps;
direction of light flow in accordance with design requirements.

You have created a light picture of your bedroom, now you can begin to put it into practice.

Natural light

The word “bedroom” itself speaks about the main purpose of this room. But, despite the fact that a person is in this room mainly at night, you should not forget about the sun.

Naturally, few people want to sunbathe in the bedroom, but draping the windows with heavy and thick curtains will also be unnecessary. And here the question is not even about saving, but about health.

When decorating the walls and ceiling in the bedroom, it is better to choose light colors, then the room will seem lighter.

General lighting

It is performed by a ceiling lamp or chandelier. You can do without it in the bedroom if you only sleep there. But more often other actions are performed here: changing clothes, folding clothes, cleaning and making the bed. Soft diffused general light is very suitable for such activities. It remains to decide on its source: it will be a ceiling lamp or a chandelier. A ceiling lamp covered with a shade is better suited for:

rooms with low ceilings;
small bedroom;
rooms decorated in modern, minimalist, loft or Japanese style.

The lampshade covering the light bulbs can be transparent or matte. A lamp with a matte shade provides more diffused light, while a lamp with a transparent shade provides brighter light. Depending on your bedroom needs, both may be in demand.

Another option for general lighting is a chandelier. It is also an excellent decorative detail, as it will definitely attract attention. You can hang a chandelier in your bedroom if:

the ceiling height is more than 2.7 meters, otherwise it will crush with its size;
in a small bedroom, hang a small chandelier with a diameter of no more than fifty centimeters;
you decorate the bedroom in a classic, rustic style - any other style where you want to pay tribute to tradition and introduce an element of romanticism.

A chandelier in a bedroom should emit a soft light. Therefore, choose an option with closed shades or with horns pointing upward. Our store is ready to help you here too.

How to position the lamps correctly?

In relation to ceiling lighting, the chandelier should be placed strictly in the center of the ceiling, regardless of the location of the furniture below it. But if you provide lighting with spotlights, then their arrangement can be either symmetrical or in any unusual design for local illumination of a certain area, for example, in the place where the bed will be installed.

Regarding distances, the recommended height is:

for a ceiling lamp - 215 - 230 cm from the floor, but here it is important to take into account the height of the person who will sleep or relax on the bed;

bedside lamps can be placed on side tables, slightly to the side of the bed or directly above it, but the latter option is not the most convenient for a couple.

the mirror and the adjacent area can be illuminated from above or from the sides, but in no case should you direct the light into a reflective surface, otherwise it will blind you.

Local lighting

Local lighting in the bedroom can be represented by all kinds of sconces, floor lamps, and table lamps. The advantage of local lamps is their mobility: you can attach and install them exactly where you need them. They emit soft light and are able to create a cozy, intimate atmosphere in the room, ideal for complete relaxation.

The variety of models and varieties is pleasing to the eye. First of all, this is a sconce. Wall lights hang above the bed, providing a comfortable relaxation area and the opportunity to read before bed. Consider the following when choosing sconces for your bedroom:

Choose a lamp with moderate light so that it does not dazzle your eyes.
Models with movable arms are the best choice if you like to read before bed.
Place the switch so that you can reach it without getting out of bed.

To avoid glare, choose sconces with opaque lampshades.

A floor lamp in the bedroom can replace both a sconce and a table lamp; it can be placed where it is currently needed. If you not only relax in the bedroom, but also work, a floor lamp will illuminate the work area. A floor lamp adds coziness and emphasizes a separate area. Just like other lighting devices, it performs a practical and decorative function. When choosing a floor lamp, decide which one is more important to you. Hence the variety of species:

Traditional - characterized by strict forms and the absence of shiny and bright details. A lampshade in the form of a truncated cone on a thin long leg.
Floor lamp with table - performs additional load. The tabletop is located at the bottom of the floor lamp under the lampshade and can have any shape. And you can put the remote control, phone or cup of coffee on it. It saves space perfectly, so it is especially relevant for a small bedroom.
A floor lamp with a shelf perfectly replaces a bedside table. There can be several shelves, closed and open, and they are quite suitable for storing all kinds of small items.
Night lamps emit dim light. Their task is not to interfere with restful sleep, but to create sufficient visibility in the sleep area. The main function of such floor lamps is decorative.

A floor lamp around the room, remember that it must be accessible to a power source everywhere. An extension cord or properly placed sockets will successfully solve this problem.

Table lamps are installed on bedside tables, if available. Their task is the same as that of other lamps: they will illuminate the relaxation area if you like to read in bed, or create additional lighting for cosmetic procedures if your bedside table is also a dressing table. The variety of types and shapes of this device allows you to choose a lamp to suit any style; our store can help you. When buying a table lamp, keep in mind:

It should not be larger than the cabinet
For reading, choose a model that is not tall so that the light falls on the book and not in your eyes
The switch is within reach so you don’t have to reach or stand up to it.
Models with a dimmer will help you adjust the light intensity.

All types of lamps in the bedroom should sound like a single ensemble and correspond to the overall style of the room.

It remains to say a few words about another fashionable trend in local lighting – pendant lamps. They successfully replace sconces and table lamps, however, they are not suitable for all cases.

Ceilings must be high enough, not lower than 2.7 meters.
Place them near the head of the bed.
Cover the lamps with opaque lampshades to prevent the light from being too bright.
Don’t forget about the style of the room: pendants won’t come in handy everywhere.

Perhaps this is where we can finish our review of local lighting.

A few more tips

It is necessary to personally inspect the product before purchasing. Avoid plastic that emits a specific odor and wires with unsuitable cross-sections. If there are flaws in the ceilings, it is better to choose a model with downward-facing shades. The weight of the lamp must correspond to the type of ceiling design.

Choose a chandelier with standard lamp bases, this will make it easier to replace them. Give preference to modern lighting devices that can be controlled from a remote control or via the Internet.

Taking into account some subtleties when choosing a suitable model, it is not difficult to create a cozy and functional interior in the room. We hope that this article will be useful in preparing to buy a chandelier for your bedroom. Happy shopping and pleasant dreams!

Accent lighting

Accent lighting, true to its name, is designed to place accents in those places where it is needed. It is close in function to the local one, but additionally emphasizes the decorative nature of the environment. Where you can place emphasis:

Near the mirror. A mirror is necessary in the bedroom if it also serves as a dressing room for you. It helps to put yourself in order after sleep. You can illuminate the mirror using sconces located on both sides, or use the built-in lighting.
Near the closet. The closet is often an integral part of the bedroom decor. It is necessary for storing clothes and bed linen. It will be much more convenient for you to use the closet and find everything you need in it if it is additionally illuminated. And here, a model with built-in lighting that turns on automatically when you open the doors is best suited.
Near the workplace. Due to the lack of space, the bedroom often serves as an office - here you can retire in silence with a laptop and work. If you install a desk in your bedroom, you will need a table lamp for it. It should provide enough light, but not blind the eyes, since the main requirement here is to preserve vision.

Correct placement of light accents will make the environment more comfortable and functional.

Which material is best

The main thing here is that it supports the style of the room. If the furniture is made of natural wood, then wooden elements in the design of the chandelier are quite appropriate. In bedroom models they most often use:

Crystal. Effective and solemn, but carries a touch of coldness.
Plastic. Universal, but not always prestigious. An exception is acrylic, which looks more expensive and more interesting due to the effect of original lighting.
Metal. Durable, reliable, but the matte surface creates a feeling of coolness, bordering on cold. This is not the best choice for a bedroom.
Ceramics. Associated with the warmth of the hearth. Used in many decorative items.
Wood. An absolutely universal material, suitable for any stylistic direction.

Decorative lighting

Decorative lighting is mainly designed to decorate a room, visually expand the space, place accents and create the desired atmosphere. It can be presented as:

A suspended multi-level ceiling can be visually raised using spot lighting. An interesting option would be multi-colored lighting.
If the bed is located on a hill, then the decorative lighting of the podium will create the illusion of it floating in the air - a non-trivial design move.

Decorative lighting for a niche, sculpture or painting, which in this case can play a special role in the bedroom interior.
Night lights are well-known devices that perfectly perform a decorative function, and their variety today is so great that they can become an independent interior decoration.

In all these cases, you can use different types of lamps - these are conventional incandescent, LED, energy-saving, neon, and finally, fluorescent. The cheapest - incandescent lamps - have long been familiar, emitting warm light, so suitable for the bedroom. However, they are not economical, absorb a lot of energy and have a limited service life.

Luminescent ones are more economical and durable. Choose warm white light bulbs for your bedroom to create a cozy atmosphere.

Halogen lamps can be used for both general and local lighting, since they provide both diffused and directional light. They can illuminate the bedroom with cool or warm light, depending on its location and the chosen style.

That’s what we’ll talk about the stylistic diversity of lighting next.

Color solution

Just like the material, it depends on the design of the bedroom. The lamp can become a design detail that harmoniously combines with other items. There is a so-called palette of colors characteristic of different styles:

burgundy, indigo, ultramarine or delicate pastel shades are inherent in the traditional direction;
cold, calm tones are suitable for a modern orientation;
The colors of ethnic chandeliers depend on the cultural traditions of the chosen country.

In this matter, in order not to make a mistake, you should seek advice from specialists.

Lighting in different styles

Let's start with the timeless, eternally modern classics. For this style, a massive chandelier is suitable as a source of general light, luxuriously decorated, with light bulbs imitating lit candles. The chandelier plays a central role. Other lamps should match it - sconces, floor lamps, table lamps. The light is preferably warm, good old incandescent lamps.

The loft style is for bold people who love experiments. Lamps in industrial style, constructivist forms. A chandelier will not fit here; hang a regular ceiling lamp. Fashionable pendants today will also come in handy. LEDs or fluorescent light are more suitable here. A loft-style bedroom should be well lit.
Minimalism loves spotlights, or lamps on a long wire without any decorative frills. The light can be cool if the room is on the sunny side and has a lot of natural light, or warm if the bedroom is in the shade.
High-tech loves geometric shapes, metal, plastic, glass. The lamps must be modern; incandescent lamps will not work here. These are either LEDs or halogen and neon lamps. Cold light is preferable; the most extravagant lighting solutions are allowed.
Country style, Provence, and rustic style love textiles, so lamps with fabric lampshades will come in handy here. Lamps with forged elements will look good. Choose lamps with warm lighting.

There is a lot more that can be written about lighting styles; this topic deserves a separate article. In conclusion, we will say that the style of the bedroom and the intensity of lighting should correspond to your ideas about an ideal vacation. Focus on your feelings and have good dreams.