Bedroom Lighting Guide: Ceiling Lights, Bedside Lamps and Sconces
4 min reading time
Your bedroom needs light for getting dressed, reading and winding down. Here is how to choose ceiling lights, bedside lamps and sconces that make the room calm and functional.
The bedroom is where lighting has the biggest effect on how you feel. Bright, cool light in the evening can keep you alert, while soft, warm light helps you relax. A good bedroom plan gives you enough light to find socks in the closet and read a chapter in bed, and then lets everything fade to a gentle glow.
Start with a soft ceiling light
The ceiling fixture provides general light. Because you look up at the ceiling when lying in bed, choose a fixture with a diffused shade (frosted glass, fabric or acrylic) that hides the bulb.
- Ceilings under 8 ft: a flush mount keeps headroom. See our bedroom ceiling lights.
- Ceilings of 9 ft or more: a small chandelier or a pendant centered over the foot of the bed adds a boutique-hotel feel. Browse bedroom chandeliers.
- Size: add the room's length and width in feet. The result in inches is a good fixture diameter.
Bedside lamps: height and placement
Bedside lighting is the most used light in the bedroom. For comfortable reading:
- The bottom of the shade should sit about at your chin when you are sitting up in bed. That is usually 20 to 24 inches above the mattress top.
- A lamp about as tall as the nightstand is high (24 to 27 inches for a standard nightstand) looks balanced.
- The shade should be narrower than the nightstand so it does not get knocked.
Choose a lamp with a switch you can reach without getting up, or a touch dimmer. Our bedside lamps include many dimmable and LED models.
Wall sconces: the space-saving option
Sconces free up the nightstand and are perfect for small bedrooms. Mount them about 30 inches above the mattress, or roughly 48 to 60 inches from the floor, and 6 to 12 inches outside the edges of the headboard. Swing-arm and adjustable sconces let each person aim the light at their book without disturbing a partner. Explore bedroom wall sconces.
Add accent and closet light
- A small table lamp on a dresser adds a warm pool of light in the evening.
- A floor lamp in a reading corner turns a chair into a retreat. See bedroom floor lamps.
- A bright, high-CRI light in the closet helps you match colors in the morning.
Color temperature and dimmers for better sleep
Use 2700K or warmer bulbs in the bedroom. Put the ceiling light and lamps on dimmers, and dim them an hour before bed. Many sleep experts recommend limiting bright light in the evening. Learn more in our color temperature guide.
Bedroom lighting by style
- Modern: slim LED sconces and sculptural pendants. See modern wall sconces.
- Scandinavian: pale wood and white fabric. See wood lighting.
- Romantic: crystal chandeliers and brass lamps. See crystal lighting.
Shop the look
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Fiore Vintage Vintage Table Lamp -
Globo Argento Vintage Wall Light -
Piatto Tondo Flat Round LED Ceiling Light
Frequently asked questions
How bright should bedroom lighting be?
About 10 to 20 lumens per square foot in total. A bedside lamp of 450 to 800 lumens is enough for reading.
Are pendant lights a good alternative to bedside lamps?
Yes. Hang them so the bottom is about 20 to 30 inches above the nightstand. They free up the table and add a designer touch.
What is the best ceiling light for a bedroom?
A diffused flush or semi-flush light for low ceilings, or a small chandelier for higher ceilings. Make sure it is dimmable.
Keep reading
- Living Room Lighting Ideas: How to Layer Light Like a Designer
- Bathroom Lighting Guide: Vanity Lights, Damp Ratings and Placement
- Outdoor Lighting Guide: Porch, Patio and Garden Lights
Every order over $75 ships free, and you have 30 days to return a light that is not right for your space. Questions about a fixture? Email us at contact@lighting-corner.com.