Your bedroom is your space. So it sure deserves some attention. When talking about the bedroom, the lighting is one of the primary factors that make or break the space. Doing it properly can take your bedroom to the next level. If you’re unsure of how to achieve this, you’re in the right spot! Let’s walk you through lighting your bedroom the right way.
Part 1. Use Layers of Light for Bedroom
Layering lights is one of the top secrets to bedroom lighting. When we’re trying to create a cozy ambiance, layers of lights come together to achieve the purpose.
#1 Layer: General Room Lighting
This is the background wash of light that gently fills the room. You know, the type of light that brightens up the whole space without the fixture actually demanding attention. General lighting is also known as ambient lighting.
“It’s the soft, general light that fills the space, often achieved with ceiling uplights, central pendants, or light that reflects off walls and ceilings”, says Sophie Paterson, a renowned interior designer who has spent 16 years designing over 500,000 square feet of luxurious interiors.
When aiming for general room lighting, you can go for ceiling lights of all types. Flush mount ceiling lights, in particular, help create a sleek look. Another famous way to illuminate your bedroom is with a central chandelier. This adds decorative presence while providing light. If you live in a hot climate and also need a central ceiling fan, you can go for a fan + integrated light.
#2 Layer: Floor Lamps Brighten Corners
Lamps may come as an afterthought when lighting your bedroom. But they create soft and indirect ambient lighting that reflects off ceilings and walls. This eliminates those “harsh shadows” you sometimes see.
Use an uplighter floor lamp to create the illusion of more space.
A high-lumen floor lamp is ideal for reading. For something more unique—especially if you’re trying to light different areas at once—consider a tree floor lamp.
#3 Layer: Bedside Lighting
Credit: House & Garden
How you light up the space next to your bed really matters, especially because most of the “directed light” you’ll need will be when you’re in bed. Here, you have two options.
Place wall lights on your bedside. These can be wall-mounted sconces (a space-savvy option) or pendants hanging on either side of the bed.
For an easier fix, go for bedside table lamps. Design tip: Choose identical pieces to create a sense of symmetry in your decor.
#4 Layer: Attach LED Strip Lights Under Bed or Closet
Many times, bedrooms can be short on space. In such cases, LED strip lights stick to the space under your bed or closet, and beautifully illuminate the space while highlighting these features.
Part 2: What Key Factors Should You Consider When Buying Bedroom Lights?
1. Room Size and Ceiling Height
You want to make sure your bedroom light is in ideal proportion with your bedroom. For that, it’s a good idea to quickly calculate your room size and height.
Firstly, to find the right diameter for your ceiling fixture, use the following formula:
Room Length + Room Width in feet = Ideal Fixture Diameter in inches
Next comes the clearance. Make sure the ceiling lights have at least 7 feet of clearance from the floor.
2. Bulb Color Temperature (The Secret to Sleep)
“Research suggests that using softer and warmer lighting in the evening such as orange and yellow hues will stimulate the production of melatonin, which is sometimes called the sleep hormone.”, says Natalia Kaylin when speaking about bedroom lighting in her Youtube video.
She proceeds to say, “Bright, cold white and blue lights in the evening may disrupt melatonin production and stimulate the production of serotonin instead. We need serotonin during the day and melatonin at night”.
That said, you want to go for 2700K to 3000K (warm white) for bedrooms to promote relaxation and melatonin production. On the other hand, blue/cool light (4000K+) isn’t ideal for sleeping areas. Especially so because we tend to spend the night in our bedroom more than daytime.
3. Brightness and Lumens
A Medium bedroom requires 1500 to 3000 total lumens, which breaks down to about 10 to 20 lumens per square foot. For a cozier feel, 20 lumens per square foot is sufficient. 20 lumens is better for a brighter space.
You can also use a lumens calculator to figure out the exact requirement for your bedroom, depending on a number of factors (including the wall color).
4. Your Bedroom’s Style
Credit: ikea
Last but surely not the least, keep the style of your bedroom in mind when buying lights. You want the fixtures to complement the overall interior design style of your space.
For example, rattan fixtures go well with a Scandinavian bedroom. Matte black will work well in modern spaces. Brass fixtures go best with the farmhouse style.
Part 3. Consider Smart Bedroom Lighting Options
If you’re looking for convenience alongside ambiance, we highly recommend going for smart bedroom lighting options. These let you dim your lights and schedule their timing just with a few taps. You can also adjust the color temperatures.
One reliable brand for smart lights is Govee. With Govee smart lights, you can control your lights using an application installed on your smartphone. You can also control them with your voice! Govee allows you to schedule your lights timing (so they switch on/off without manual instruction at the said time). You can also customize the color and brightness. It’s a win win!
Part 4. Bedroom Lighting Placement Rules & Measurements
Bedroom lighting placement makes all the difference! There’s a few rules you have to follow here.
When placing a bedside sconce, you want to go 30 to 36 inches above the top of the mattress. Alternatively, go for shoulder-height when you’re sitting up.
When hanging a chandelier over a bed, make sure the bottom of the fixture is at least 7 feet above the floor. If it’s directly over the bed, you want it to be high enough to not hit your head when kneeling (which will usually be 6 to 8 inches above the ceiling clearance).
When installing recessed lighting, keep them at least 2 feet away from the walls. This makes sure you don’t get those harsh shadows.
Part 5. How to Choose Lighting for Cozy Bedroom
Creating cozy bedroom lighting is all about layering soft, warm, and adjustable light sources.
1. Start with Warm Light: Choose bulbs with a color temperature of 2700K to 3000K. Warm light feels relaxing and helps create a cozy atmosphere.
2. Layer Your Lighting: A cozy bedroom should have multiple light sources:
- Ambient lighting: Ceiling light
- Task lighting: Bedside lamps for reading
- Accent lighting: LED strips, wall lights, or fairy lights for mood
3. Use Dimmable Lights: Dimmers let you adjust brightness based on time of day: bright in the morning, soft at night.
4. Add Indirect Lighting: Use hidden or reflected light (like behind a headboard or under a bed) to avoid harsh glare and create a soft glow.
5. Choose Soft Fixtures: Fabric lampshades, frosted glass, or diffused lighting help reduce harshness and make the room feel warmer.
6. Highlight Cozy Zones: Focus lighting around areas like your bed, reading nook, or vanity to create an intimate feel.
7. Consider Smart Lighting: Smart lights let you control brightness, color, and schedules. Perfect for setting a relaxing nighttime routine!
Part 6. What are Common Mistakes with Bedroom Lighting?
Now that you know what to do when lighting a bedroom, there’s also a few things to keep in mind that you shouldn’t do:
- Using only one light source. No layering gives you a bland space.
- Choosing lights that are too bright. The bedroom is a place to relax, so soft lighting does better here.
- Ignoring color temperature. We’re all for warm lights in the bedroom!
- Forgetting bedside lighting. This is a must, especially for tasks like reading in bed.
- Picking fixtures that clash with room size. A big fixture in a small room? Lighting alone will cramp the space.
FAQs About Bedroom Lighting
How to choose the right bedroom lighting?
It’s simple:
- Layer your lighting
- Choose the right bulb color temperature
- Prioritize dimming and control
- Consider fixture style and placement
What are the rules for bedroom lighting?
When choosing bedroom lighting, keep in mind the size and style of your room. You want to make sure the lighting fits into the space (without feeling too big or too small) and works well with the design of your room.
What is the ideal color temperature for bedroom lighting?
2700K to 3000K is the perfect color temperature for bedroom lighting. Bulbs in this range are cozy and warm.
What is the best lighting for a bedroom?
The best type of lighting for the bedroom goes with the above-mentioned rules, all while providing convenience. Govee bedroom lights really serve it all!
How many watts do I need for a bedroom light?
A good rule of thumb is to aim for roughly 20 to 40 watts of LED power per 10 square meters (roughly 100 sq ft) for a bedroom. This equates to roughly 2000 to 4000 lumens.
Conclusion
Once you upgrade your bedroom lighting, you’ll notice your mood shifting + tasks getting smoother. If you’re ready, Govee bedroom lights can assist with that, all while providing convenience!
