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Buying guide: Helping you to choose your bedroom lighting
Updated 07/26
By: Laura Macdonald
Reviewed: Content Team
Bedroom lighting has to do more than look good. Get it right and it sets the mood, supports everyday tasks like reading or getting dressed, and can genuinely affect how well you sleep. Here's how to layer it properly, and the one factor most guides skip.
The three layers of lighting every bedroom needs
How to choose fixtures by room size and style
Colour temperature, brightness, and the measurements that matter
Why your evening lighting can affect your sleep, and what to do about it
Roughly what installation costs
Who to hire for the job
Find an electrician near you
The importance of bedroom lighting
A bedroom is a place to relax and unwind, and lighting plays a big part in setting that mood. Good lighting also makes a room feel lighter and more spacious, and has practical uses too, whether that's a gentle wake-up, makeup application, or a soft glow for bedtime reading.
Types of bedroom lighting
A well-lit bedroom typically layers three types of lighting together: general, task, and accent.
1. General lighting
Your primary source of overall illumination.
Recessed ceiling downlights: even, bright light, ideal for larger or darker bedrooms, or where a hanging fixture would be impractical with low ceilings.
Flush or semi-flush ceiling lights: unobtrusive and space-saving, well-suited to smaller bedrooms or those with low ceilings.
Pendant lights: from simple shades to statement chandeliers, these create a focal point and work well either side of the bed instead of table lamps.
2. Task lighting
For specific activities like reading, dressing, or grooming.
Bedside wall lights: targeted reading light, space-saving, and a good option where there's no room for a bedside table.
Wall sconces: positioned either side of a mirror, giving even light for makeup or styling without the unflattering shadows an overhead light casts.
Table lamps: versatile, easy to reposition, and available in endless styles to suit any decor.
3. Accent lighting
Sets the atmosphere.
Floor lamps: flexible, good for larger rooms or reading corners, especially where there's no ceiling light.
String lights: an inexpensive, easy way to add warmth, particularly popular in children's or boho-styled rooms.
LED strip lighting: soft, ambient glow under furniture, behind a headboard, or along shelving, and energy-efficient too.
For visual inspiration once you've settled on a layout, see our bedroom lighting ideas.
How to choose the best bedroom lighting for your home
Style and design
Consider both the fixture's finish and its cable/casing colour:
Traditional bedrooms: warm metallic tones like brass and copper, or classic glass fixtures.
Modern or industrial bedrooms: matt black or metallic finishes.
Cottage or rustic bedrooms: organic textures like wood, bamboo, and glass.
A black cable and casing suits industrial or modern decor; white blends into more neutral, traditional interiors.
Handy bedroom lighting measurements
Ceiling lights: the bottom of the fixture should sit at least 7ft from the floor.
Bedside pendant lights: aim for 35-45cm clearance from the bottom of the pendant to the top of your bedside table.
Recessed downlights: space them roughly 3-5ft apart for even distribution; use fewer in a smaller room for a softer glow.
How many lights do you need? A rough guide is one source of general lighting per 8-10 sq ft of ceiling space, topped up with task and accent lighting.
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Light bulbs, colour temperature, and lumens
LED bulbs cost more upfront but use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last considerably longer, so they're the standard choice today.
Colour temperature (measured in Kelvins) shapes the mood: warm white (2,700-3,000K) suits a cosy, relaxing bedroom; cool white (3,500-4,000K) feels more energising if that's what you're after.
Lumens measure brightness. A naturally darker bedroom may need more lumens to compensate for lower daylight. As a general guide, aim for around 100-150 lumens per m².
Dimmer switches are worth considering for a bedroom specifically, since being able to adjust brightness through the day and evening matters more here than in most other rooms.
Why your evening bedroom lighting matters for sleep
This is the piece most bedroom lighting advice misses, and it's specifically relevant to this room in a way it isn't for a kitchen or living room. Bright, blue-rich light in the evening (the kind most standard LEDs and screens produce) suppresses melatonin, the hormone that signals your body it's time to sleep, and can delay how quickly you drop off. Warmer, dimmer light in the hour or so before bed supports your natural wind-down instead.
Practical ways to apply this:
Favour warm white bulbs (below around 2,700K) for bedside lamps and any lighting used in the evening
Use a dimmer to lower brightness as bedtime approaches, rather than switching straight from bright to off
If you use a night light, choose a warm amber or red tone rather than white or blue, since these are far less disruptive to sleep
Consider a smart bulb that shifts colour temperature automatically through the day, cooler and brighter in the morning, warmer and dimmer in the evening
How to make a smart home
A smart home has a number of benefits including greater convenience, increased energy efficiency, and improved security. In this post, we explain how to make a smart home and the costs involved.
Safety: IP ratings and fire protection
Bedrooms don't typically face much moisture or dust, so IP20 is usually sufficient for bedroom light fixtures. If you're using recessed ceiling downlights, check they're fire-rated, meaning they restore the ceiling's fire integrity around the hole cut for installation.
Energy efficiency and smart technology
Smart lighting lets you control brightness, colour temperature, and timers from an app, including gradual dimming and brightening to help you wind down or wake up naturally. Motion sensor lights are particularly useful inside a wardrobe or walk-in closet, since they save energy and add convenience.
How much does bedroom lighting installation cost?
Cost depends on the scope of work, fixture type, and whether new wiring is needed. Our downlight installation cost guide and chandelier hanging cost guide give current pricing for two common bedroom lighting jobs. For an accurate quote for your specific project, contact a qualified local electrician.
Before you buy
Do you need help with the rest of your bedroom decor?
If lighting is part of a bigger renovation, Checkatrade can also connect you with interior designers, painters and decorators, or flooring specialists.
Find a qualified electrician in your area
Find an electrician near you
FAQs
A combination of general lighting (ceiling fixtures), task lighting (bedside lamps or wall sconces), and accent lighting (LED strips or floor lamps) covers both function and mood.
Larger rooms suit a bigger pendant or chandelier; smaller bedrooms work better with flush or semi-flush ceiling lights or recessed downlights.
Yes. They're energy-efficient, long-lasting, and widely available as dimmable, making it easy to adjust brightness through the day.
As a guide, aim for 100-150 lumens per m² of space, adjusting upward in naturally darker rooms.
Yes. Bright, blue-rich light in the evening can suppress melatonin and delay sleep onset. Warm, dim lighting in the hour before bed supports your body's natural wind-down instead.
Key takeaways
Layer general, task, and accent lighting for a bedroom that works both functionally and aesthetically
Warm white lighting in the evening supports better sleep; save cooler tones for daytime energy
IP20 is generally sufficient for bedroom fixtures; check fire-rating for recessed downlights
Always hire a qualified electrician for installation
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