How to design bedroom lighting?

Of all the rooms in the home, the bedroom is probably the only one that is between dark, light and in-between. Therefore, getting the lighting design of the bedroom right is crucial to making it a comfortable place.

Knowing how to layer lighting is key to creating the best bedroom lighting. This means finding the right balance between environment, task and accent lighting. By establishing this balance, lighting can be created for any mood and any activity at the flick of a switch.

Ambient lighting

From general lighting to specific lighting, you need to layer according to the lighting you want to have in your bedroom on a regular basis. For starters, start building your lighting basics with ambient lighting or general lighting. Appropriate ambient light includes natural lighting through large windows or skylights, or artificial lighting; anything that provides adequate lighting will allow you to perform routine tasks like cleaning, folding clothes, or making beds.

When it comes to artificial lighting, ambient light is best achieved using ceiling fixtures (e.g. recessed mounted ceiling lights, chandeliers, pendant lights, etc.) or via portables (e.g. floor lamps). Both lighting types can provide adequate lighting for activities that do not require bright, concentrated lighting.

Task lighting

If you're looking to do some activity that requires more attention, such as reading, work, or makeup, you might consider layering with task lights on top of regular lighting. Focused task lighting doesn't have to be limited to traditional desktop task lighting. Consider bedside table lights, low-hanging pendants on either side of the bed, closets, wall-mounted task lights on either side of the headboard, or other directional lighting placed above the headboard.

In this sense, a bedroom task light can take any form as long as it provides the adequate lighting required for sustained concentration.

Accent lighting is often designed to draw attention within a given space and accentuate features such as artwork. For bedrooms, accent lighting can itself act as a softer version of ambient lighting, giving off a pleasant glow and creating a cosy atmosphere. Utilizing recessed lighting in bedrooms, wall sconces, strip lights or creatively repurposing other light fixtures are a few ways to incorporate this feature into your bedroom's lighting design.