17 bedroom lighting ideas: brilliant ways to light up your sleep space
Lara loves writing about every aspect of the home – from the latest colour trends to emerging designs. She has a lot of experience writing about home trends and interior advice for leading titles such as The Telegraph, Metro, and Homes & Gardens.
Bedroom lighting ideas need to do so much more than simply light up your boudoir.
Of course, you need good general lighting for everyday use and to wake you up during dark winter mornings. But, a well-lit bedroom is also about creating mood and atmosphere. After all, your bedroom is your sanctuary, a calm retreat from the rest of the house where you can kick back and just chill for a few hours.
That’s where low-level bedroom light fixture ideas will help create a cosy, relaxed space and promote good sleep habits. At the same time, if you love reading in bed, you’ll need effective bedside lamps.
The answer is a layered bedroom lighting scheme. Indeed, a considered mix of ambient and task lighting is key for getting ready, reading or relaxing.
If you’re designing a bedroom from scratch, say in a new build home, it’s well worth planning bedroom lighting early on. And always make sure to hire a good local electrician for any lighting installation jobs, who can fit light fixtures safely and professionally.
Our handy search function will help you find a reliable, qualified electrician recommended by people in your area. Simply pop your details in the search box below.
Bedroom lighting ideas
Be inspired by our dreamy bedroom lighting ideas. However big or small, our bright ideas can elevate your bedroom’s decor and ambience with a few carefully chosen pendants, lamps and lanterns.
Get ready for a lightbulb moment…
1. Choose mini ceiling pendants for small bedroom lighting ideas
Less is more in a smaller bedroom. In fact, you probably won’t have space for table or floor lamps. And a big central shade might overwhelm the space.
The key is to use your ceiling wisely. Position ceiling pendants over areas that need the most illumination – such as either side of a bed (instead of table lamps) or near a dressing zone.
Use subtle, neutral-coloured shades and layer a few smaller lamps for a more intimate look. A qualified electrician near you can advise on length of flex to suit your needs.
2. Wow with a statement chandelier
Make a serious design statement in the bedroom with an oversized chandelier. Indeed, bedroom ceiling light ideas don’t come more spectacular than this central pendant in natural tones.
It offers a more rustic glow than glass droppers and adds to the beautiful vintage-inspired bedroom decor.
Read our dedicated guide to find out what sort of budget you’ll need to hang a chandelier.
3. Go for built-in bedroom wall lights ideas
For a more contemporary alternative to bedside lamps, why not opt for built-in wall lights? These shiny brass wall lights offer a cool, classic mood that’s perfect for reading in bed – the ultimate task light for the bedroom.
Pick out light fixtures that can be independently operated. Also, a long flexible arm will let you angle the illumination to just the right spot.
This way, there’s less chance of keeping your other half awake if they want to sleep while you read. Hence, it’s a perfect solution for shared bedroom ideas.
Obviously, chased-in wiring that’s hidden behind walls can be messy and disruptive to your decor. So, this sort of bedroom lighting idea needs to planned early on in your scheme and before you redecorate the walls.
4. Floor lamps for bedroom ideas
If you have the space, consider a floor lamp in the corner of the bedroom. This classic black and white decor shows how standard floor lamps can work just as well in the boudoir as they do for your living room lighting scheme.
You’ll need to make sure you have enough ceiling height so the lamp doesn’t overcrowd the space. Also, it’s a wise idea to put any accent lighting on a separate circuit so they can be controlled separately from the main light.
Other than that, set up a comfy chair and this could be a fabulous reading nook where you can escape for a few hours on the weekend with your favourite paperback. Bliss!
5. Opt for smart master bedroom lighting ideas
Larger master bedrooms require smart lighting solutions. And by that, we mean smart, classic lamps such as these burnished silver and white designs.
But we also mean smart lighting that can be activated to suit the time of day, dimmed or put on a timer. Seek out smart lighting systems that can be operated via a smartphone (handy if you are on holiday) and allow you to adjust the intensity and colour of the bulbs.
In this sophisticated, layered lighting scheme the bedside lamps offer an ambient glow for relaxing in the master bedroom. Then there are the overhead spotlights for good general light – a brilliant solution if you have low or suspended ceilings too.
It’s a great way to show how ceiling downlighters shouldn’t be kept solely for the kitchen and bathroom.
6. Plan out vaulted ceiling ideas
If you’re lucky enough to have a vaulted ceiling in your bedroom, it’s a good idea to get advice on how to light these lofty spaces.
From modern chandeliers to built-in LEDs, ceiling lights can infuse your bedroom with a gorgeous glow – and create efficient, general lighting for daily use.
You’ll need the expertise of a qualified electrician who can advise on every aspect of lighting design, from installing new ceiling lights to upgrading existing ones. They will help you achieve the right amount of light, advise on how high to hang your pendant and explain whether integrated downlights will work for your bedroom.
7. Create contrast with modern bedside lighting ideas
Go for an unexpected contrast in the bedroom by offsetting colour-drenched pink walls with bare bulb lighting.
We love how these low-slung ceiling pendants offer a modern swap for conventional bedside table lamps. The result is fuss-free, striking and perfect for smaller bedrooms where floor space is at a premium.
Prepare to cast the rosiest glow over your sleeping den.
8. Embrace recessed LEDs for modern bedroom lighting
If you want to achieve a hotel mood at home, modern recessed lighting might be the answer. Integrating invisible striplights into the ceiling and around the perimeter of the room will certainly elevate your sleep space.
It’s a creative solution that will cast a mesmerising glow around your room. But you’ll need the help of a lighting designer to plan out a successful scheme.
Why not take it up a notch and install recessed lights under the bed to create the impression of it hovering off the ground. And don’t forget to plan in other accent lights such as bedside lamps or floor lights for a versatile, layered scheme that works for day and night.
9. Pick out simple bedroom pendant light ideas
Good lighting can promote a happy mood, better energy levels and a more positive mindset.
Natural light is the best form of lighting without a doubt. But when nighttime falls, you need great artificial lighting in the bedroom to keep up the feel-good factor.
So, even if your bedroom is blessed with huge windows and masses of natural light, you’ll need a mix of pendants and lamps as the sun sets.
10. Drape fairy lights over bed lighting ideas
For a quick-fix bedroom lighting idea, you really can’t beat fairy lights. Draping strings of twinkly white lights around the bed, across shelves and around heavy pieces of furniture will add an instant magical glow-up.
Yes, fairy lights are for all year round not just for Christmas. They have the power to transform the drabbest space into a pretty sanctuary in minutes. It’s one of our top tips if you live in rented accommodation where more permanent wall light fixtures are barred.
Seek out battery-operated lights and use rechargeable batteries to cut back on energy usage.
11. Consider neat headboard lighting ideas
This is neat: a sleek two-in-one headboard and light for discreet bedtime reading. It’ll also cut back on trailing wires cluttering up the floor.
Pair with a separate bedside lamp (if you have space) to give you the option of targeted lighting and an ambient glow depending on mood.
Be inspired by this classic colour combination and seek out loads more navy bedroom ideas in our dedicated guide.
Children’s bedroom lighting ideas to promote sleep, rest and play
12. Invest in a night light
Soft, soothing night lights might help your little one drift off to sleep in a nursery. Pair with blackout curtains and blinds so your baby can nap any time of the day.
13. Share a bedside lamp in a twin room
If you’re short on space in a shared children’s bedroom, simply pair twin beds with a central bedside table and lamp.
14. Double up on accent lighting
Accent lighting makes a bedroom feel cosy and warm. So double up with pretty fairy lights and a simple floor lamp in a teenager’s den.
15. Mix different lighting styles for a cool look
Don’t be afraid to mix rustic-style wall lamps with festoon light bulbs to harness decorative and task lighting all at once.
16. Streamline with recessed lighting
Max out space in a compact children’s room with recessed strip lights and built-in wardrobe storage.
17. Spread a colour-packed glow
Rainbow lighting can add an extra decorative dimension to a teenager’s bedroom. It’s also a tried-and-tested trick for university digs.
Are you ready to plan your bedroom lighting ideas? Hiring an experienced and trusted electrician who can help you achieve your vision is a worthwhile investment. It only takes a few seconds; pop your postcode into the box below and find a professional, recommended tradesperson.
FAQs
What type of lighting is best for bedrooms?
Lighting experts agree that a layered lighting design works best. This means a well-planned, considered lighting scheme that blends targeted light for reading, overhead lights for general use and accent lights for mood. Above all else, you want a bedroom to be cosy and relaxing.
Should I put downlights in bedrooms?
Discreet ceiling spotlights are an excellent idea for box bedrooms. Visually they won’t take up so much space as pendants and can be set on different circuits to control different zones of the bedroom. Look out for dimmable downlights and pair with bedside lamps for that all-important glow.
What ceiling light is best for bedrooms?
That depends on the look and style of your bedroom. And also how high your ceilings are. For bedrooms with low ceilings such as a loft room, flush-fitting spotlights work well. For vaulted ceilings, you might want to break up the space with a decadent chandelier.
What can I use instead of a bedside lamp?
For narrow bedrooms with limited floor space on either side of the bed, consider low-level ceiling pendants. These can be installed at the right height for reading or simply for general lighting. Otherwise, consider built-in wall lights for a neat, discreet solution.
How many ceiling lights do I need in a bedroom?
A single, central ceiling light is the traditional way to illuminate an average-sized room. However, you’ll need to layer this with low-level table lamps otherwise your room might appear uninviting and stark. Flush fitting ceiling lights can vary in size and intensity. As a benchmark, aim for one downlight for every two-metre square of floor space. Always consult a qualified electrician who will be able to offer excellent advice and professional expertise.
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