1. Home & Garden

Discuss in my forum

Tips for Bedroom Lighting

By , About.com Guide

Bedroom lighting needs are different from those for other rooms of your house, and bedroom lighting can range from simple to dramatic depending on what you want.

Measure Your Room

Successful bedroom lighting also depends on knowing the measurements of your room. Be sure to measure the height of your ceiling as well. Make a note of where your outlets are located. Furniture placement matters too.

Consider Scale

While chandeliers in bedrooms are very popular right now, don't make the mistake of hanging them too low. You don't want to bump into your light fixtures. Reading lamps should be scaled according to the size and height of your nightstands and bed.

Layer Your Lighting

Do you work in your bedroom? Is it a larger room with a seating area? You may want to install task lighting for work areas and softer light for seating areas. Maybe you want to emphasize some wall art which calls for accent lighting. You do not have to light everything all at once. Too much light in one space can feel glaring and unpleasant.

Choose Shades for Light

Today you have a vast variety of shapes, materials, styles and colors to choose from. Try to stay away from very opaque shades unless you need them for their decorative value alone and are not relying on those as primary light sources. Too dark a room can feel as unpleasant as a bedroom that is lit too bright.

For reading in bed, consider buying lamps that you can adjust and swivel to suit your position. Shades should be positioned to shield yours and your partner's eyes from the glare of bulbs. You can also consider installing reading lights on the wall behind your bed.

Install Dimmers

Installing dimmers could be the easiest and most effective way of controlling light in a room, so that you can alter effects as you please. You will have to check CFLs for dimmer compatibility.

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.