A bedroom needs three kinds of light: soft general light, reading light by the bed and gentle evening light. Here is how to combine them.
1. Ceiling light
Choose a chandelier or pendant that gives soft, diffused light — opal glass, fabric or a design that hides the bulbs. In a 4 × 4 m bedroom a fixture of about 60–80 cm works well. With a low ceiling, a flatter design is safer. See ceiling lights.
2. Bedside wall lights or lamps?
Wall lights free up the nightstand, look like a hotel and work in small rooms. Mount them about 120–140 cm from the floor, or 30–40 cm above the mattress, 15–30 cm out from the headboard. Table lamps need no electrician and are easy to change; the lamp should be roughly as tall as the nightstand. See bedroom wall lights and table lamps.
3. Reading light
For reading in bed, choose a wall light with an adjustable arm or a shade that directs light down onto the pillow, so your partner can sleep.
4. Evening light
A floor lamp in a reading corner, a small lamp on a dresser or a dimmer on the ceiling light lets you lower the light level before sleep. See floor lamps.
Bulb colour for sleep
Use warm white 2700 K bulbs everywhere in the bedroom, and dimmable ones where possible. Warm, low light in the evening helps you wind down.
Finish the look
Choose one metal finish — brass, gold or black — for the ceiling light, wall lights and lamps. A matching set makes the bedroom look calm and designed.
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