How to Choose Bedroom Lighting Ideas for Every Room Style

Types of Lighting You Need in a Bedroom

Creating the right ambience in your bedroom can be tough… How much is too much, and how much is too little? The key to bedroom lighting is understanding the various types you need to incorporate to make sure you cover all your bases.

The first type of lighting you need to consider is Ambient Lighting. This type of lighting is your main source of light in your bedroom, in any room really. This would include things like ceiling lights, chandeliers, and recessed lighting.

The second type of lighting you need to consider is Task Lighting. This type helps you with tasks like reading, getting dressed, or applying makeup – the tasks you'll be doing in your space. These are separate from your overhead lights and give you more direct light on the spot you'll need that type of lighting.

The third type of lighting is Accent Lighting. This type of lighting is all about creating the right atmosphere in your room. Typically, you use this type of lighting to highlight artwork, architectural features, and to add depth to your space.

Combining all three of these in your room will help layer the lighting in a way that makes your room feel gorgeously design magazine-worthy.

When to Use a Fan vs. Chandelier

I debated using a chandelier instead of a fan but ultimately chose to keep the fan and make some updates, which I'll discuss later in this article. I also looked into fandeliers too, but with as big as this room is, I couldn't find one that was large enough. But, how do you decide?

Choosing between a ceiling fan and chandelier really depends on the room's size, the climate where you live, and your personal preference. I knew for our room there was no way we were going to be able to get away without having a fan because of the tall ceilings in the summertime.

If you know you need a fan and your room is not that big (less than 144 sq feet), definitely look at fandelier options. These are super cool because they combine the gorgeousness of a chandelier, but have a fan feature that either tucks into the light when not in use or spins within the chandelier.

If you don't need a fan or you're fine without one, a chandelier can make an awesome statement piece in your room. Same as with a fandelier though, you need to make sure the size and proportion match your room size. Typically, you add one wall's footage to the other wall's footage to get the total diameter of your chandelier.

Lighting Based on Your Activities

When I teach my Confident Decorating® process, one of the first things we talk about in the space planning section is, “What activities will you be doing in this space?” When choosing bedroom lighting, start by thinking about the activities you’ll be doing in the space.

Typically, for a bedroom, you’ll be doing the following:

• Sleeping: Soft, ambient lighting is key to setting a relaxing mood for bedtime. Consider dimmable lights or soft-toned fixtures to avoid harsh lighting.
  
• Reading: You definitely need some good task lighting for this. A well-placed reading lamp can make all the difference. Position it so that the light shines directly on your book without disturbing your partner.
  
• Getting Dressed: You’ll need brighter, more focused lighting near your closet or dressing area. Make sure the lighting is evenly distributed to avoid shadows.
  
• Watching TV: Low, indirect lighting is ideal for watching TV in bed. Avoid bright overhead lights that can cause glare on the screen.

If you have more to add, don't forget to think about what kind of lighting could really help those activities shine… pun intended.

Which Type of Sconce is Right for You?

The beauty of what’s out on the market now is that you have endless options, but sometimes that can be overwhelming. When it comes to sconces and choosing the type that’ll work best for you right now, here are the things to consider:

• Battery-Powered Sconces: These are an excellent solution if you don't want to deal with wires or hire an electrician. This is what I chose for my primary bedroom refresh, but I did choose battery operated ones that can turn into hardwired versions if and when I’m ready. For the time being, they were easy to install and often come with built-in dimming functions. However, the only drawback here is you’ll need to remember to charge the batteries occasionally.
  
• Plug-In Sconces: These are a great option if you want the flexibility of moving your lights without rewiring. Plug-in sconces can be mounted on the wall and are perfect for rooms where outlets are close to the bed. I would suggest getting those cord concealer things to hide the wire if there’s not a seem to hug.
  
• Hardwired Fixtures: If you can afford it, this is my number one because they are sleek, permanent, and typically can hook to a simple flip of a switch. They’re often more powerful and provide a more polished look.
  

Each option has its pros and cons, so choose based on what best suits your room and your DIY comfort level.

How to Update Your Ceiling Fan with Spray Paint

Like I said earlier, I debated whether or not to try a fandelier, replace my existing fan, or just update it, and ultimately I decided it really just needed a push into this century.

It was super easy. All I did was unscrew the blades, wipe them down, and spray paint them with Rustoleum satin finish brown. Then, I switched out the glass for more modern-looking covers and some cool retro lightbulbs.

These few changes made this ceiling fan look like it actually belongs with the new decor and design.

Lighting Sizes and Placement Guidelines

Choosing the right lighting size is crucial to make sure your bedroom feels balanced. You don't want fixtures that are too small and get lost in the space, but you also don't want them to be overly dominating in the room either. Here’s a simple formula to help you determine the right size lighting for your bedroom:

• For Ambient Lighting: Add the room’s length and width (in feet) to determine the diameter of the ceiling light in inches. For example, a 12×14 room would need a fixture with a diameter of 26 inches.
  
• For Task Lighting: When choosing lamps for reading or other tasks, consider the height of the bed and bedside tables. Table lamps should generally be 24-28 inches tall to provide ample light for reading while not being too bright or harsh.
  
• For Accent Lighting: Accent lights, like sconces or picture lights, should be sized to fit the area they’re highlighting. These typically range from 12-24 inches depending on the size of the artwork or feature you want to showcase.

Now, once you have the types of lighting in the right sizes, you'll need to know how to place them appropriately. The placement of your lighting can dramatically affect both the functionality and mood of the room. Here are all my essential guidelines to follow for all the various types of lighting:

Accent Lighting (Picture or Artwork Lighting): When highlighting artwork, position the light about 6-8 inches above the top of the frame. This helps to light up the artwork evenly, so there are no shadows getting in the way.

When you're setting up the light, aim to have it shine on the artwork evenly from all sides, usually at about a 30-degree angle. The light should be roughly half the width of the artwork or more to avoid overly concentrated lighting.

Task Lighting for Dressers or Closets: When you're putting in some lights near your dresser or closet, it's a good idea to hang the light right above or in front of the spot you want to brighten up. If you want to brighten up those dark corners in your closet, try using a strip light or some LED puck lights under the shelves.

When you're setting up task lighting in your dressing area, try to put it about 24 to 36 inches above the surface. This way, you'll have great visibility while you're getting dressed or putting on makeup.

As for more specific types of lighting placement guidelines, here are my tips.

Reading Lamps

Reading Lamps: Position bedside reading lamps about 28 inches above the mattress to ensure the light is directed at your book or task area.

Floor Lamps: Place floor lamps about 2-3 feet from the wall and away from any furniture to create a clean flow of light. If you're putting a light near your bed, just make sure it's set up to give off a nice, soft glow that doesn't flood the room with brightness. Floor lamps should be around 58-64 inches tall to balance out the room's proportions. The light should fall over your shoulder or next to the area where you'll be sitting or reading.

Bedside Table Lamps: If you are using a table lamp, the height of the top of your bedside table lamps should be around eye level when sitting in bed.Bedside Table Lamps: The top of your bedside table lamp should be at eye level when you're sitting in bed. Ideally, this means placing them about 24-30 inches above the nightstand. As far as distance, keep lamps about 18-24 inches apart from each other if you have a double nightstand. This makes sure they give off good light and don’t feel all cramped up.

Wall Sconces

Wall Sconces: These should be installed about 60-66 inches from the floor to ensure even light distribution without being too bright or too low. I like to hang mine in the center of the nightstand too. If you’re using multiple sconces, try to space them evenly apart on either side of the bed, leaving about 4-5 feet between them.

Chandeliers

Chandeliers: If you have a chandelier, make sure it hangs about 30-36 inches above the bed in a room with an 8-foot ceiling. Add more clearance for taller rooms to prevent the light from feeling cramped.

Recessed Lighting for Ambiance: Recessed lighting should be spaced about 4-6 feet apart to provide even light coverage. Try putting the lights around the edges of the room, or focus them on spots that really matter, like your cozy reading corner, your bed, or even your closet.

Using these guidelines will help make sure Small adjustments to the height and placement of your lighting can make your bedroom feel more comfortable and inviting.