Bedroom lighting ideas

In our humble opinion, bedroom lighting is just as important as your choice of bed.

The right choice of lighting in your bedroom makes all the difference. Not only can it affect your mood, it can help or hinder your everyday life admin.

For example, if you’re getting ready for a night out, you’ll want some bright bedroom spotlights to review your outfit options. If you’re getting lost in a good book before falling asleep, a reading light will be handy (plus easy to switch off once your head starts dropping). If you’re aiming for a romantic atmosphere, dimmable bedroom lights, fairy lights, and candles are great for creating a soft, flattering glow.

There are also bedside table lamps to think about (FYI, having two bedside chests with lamps is a popular Feng Shui choice – but more on that later!). With all these bedroom lighting ideas in mind, we’ve put together a list of the best bedroom lights below to help you consider all options.

Bedroom ceiling light ideas: statement chandeliers to modern spotlights

When it comes to bedroom ceiling lights, the options are wonderfully endless.

We’ve rounded up our favourite ceiling lighting ideas to help you choose:

• Statement chandeliers – perfect for adding drama and elegance to master bedrooms
• Clustered pendant lights – create visual interest above your bed frame
• Recessed spotlights – ideal for low ceilings or minimalist bedroom designs
• Flush mount fixtures – space-saving options that still pack a style punch
• Track lighting – brilliant for highlighting artwork or creating zones in larger bedrooms

We adore these gold metal spotlights, as seen in our Francesca Upholstered Ottoman Bed Frame scene here – just look at how they pop against the dark decor in the room.

Reading lights: bedtime books need a subtle spotlight

Reading in bed is encouraged for relaxation and drifting off to sleep.

However, you need some light in order to see clearly, and this can potentially be a distraction for your sleeping partner. You’ll need flexible options if you don’t both keep the same routines, so reading spotlights are a great choice. They keep the room dark enough for those sleeping, but light enough for reading – they’re also easy to switch off once you start to feel drowsy. From wall-mounted reading lights to bed frames with built-in lighting, these lighting types are a smart choice for literature lovers.

Our luxurious Madison bed frame is a fantastic example of a hotel bed with built-in lights – the ideal choice for bookworms who read in bed every night.

Bedside table lamps: a Feng Shui must

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese philosophy based on the understanding that people are connected to and affected by their surroundings.

Practising good Feng Shui in our bedroom is said to promote peace and ward off any bad energies. One of the top tips is to place your bed in the middle of the room with access to either side – both sides should also have matching bedside chests. Adding matching table lamps is a nice way to dress these tables, providing easy-to-reach bedroom lighting.

We love how these bedside lamps on either side of the Deacon Upholstered Bed Frame add a sense of symmetry to the room. They’re perfect for those who like a hotel feel in their bedroom. When choosing bedside lamps, consider the height – ideally, the bottom of the shade should be at eye level when you’re sitting up in bed.

Mood lighting: from feature lights to fairy lights

When it comes to setting a romantic scene for the bedroom, lighting is everything.

Harsh bright lights are the last thing you need. Instead, opt for soft glowing choices such as fairy lights, candles and dimmable bulbs. When choosing mood lighting, it’s a good idea to think about the colours of your bedroom and which tone of light bulb will best complement them. LED strip lights positioned behind your headboard create a stunning halo effect, while salt lamps add a warm, peachy glow that’s perfect for unwinding.

For example, warm bulbs look good with yellow-based décors, such as orange, green, and cream; cool bulbs sit well with blue-based colours, such as pink, purple, and white. Watch out for metallic furnishings, too, as the light can reflect off these and cause the overall tone to change.

Eco-friendly bedroom lighting

In recent years, leading an environmentally friendly lifestyle has become increasingly popular.

Eco-friendly lighting is available in LED, halogen and CFL bulbs. These bulbs use less energy without compromising on the quality of light and are available in both warm and cool tones.

The greenest lighting option of them all though is of course natural sunlight, so make the most of this in your bedroom where you can. During the day, open your curtains or blinds and allow the sunlight to fill your bedroom, it’s great for increasing focus and energy, reducing blood pressure, and supporting your circadian rhythm (your internal body clock).

Layering your bedroom lighting

The secret to professional-looking bedroom lighting? It’s all about layering.

Interior designers recommend combining three types of lighting:

• Ambient lighting (your main ceiling lights) for general illumination
• Task lighting (reading lights and desk lamps) for specific activities
• Accent lighting (fairy lights and LED strips) for atmosphere

By mixing these three layers, you can create a bedroom that works hard from morning to night. Start with your ceiling light as the foundation, then build up with task and accent lighting to suit your lifestyle.