Quick answer: A bedroom needs soft, warm, indirect light for relaxing, focused light for reading and dressing, and switches you can reach from the bed. Use warm white, avoid a single bright light in the centre of the ceiling, and put the main lights on a dimmer.
The bedroom is the one room where lighting should help you slow down. It also has to work in the morning when you are getting dressed. The answer is a few layers of light that you can control separately.
Ambient light: keep it soft and indirect
Avoid a bright light directly above the bed, because you look straight at it when lying down. Better options are:
- Cove lighting in a false ceiling for a gentle glow. See our false ceiling lighting ideas.
- A few dimmable recessed downlights placed around the edge of the room rather than over the bed.
- A decorative ceiling light with a diffuser that hides the source.
Bedside lighting
Each side of the bed should have its own light with its own switch.
- Wall lights keep the bedside table clear and suit smaller rooms.
- Small pendants hung low on each side are a stylish alternative. See our pendant light buying guide.
- Table lamps are the simplest option and easy to change later.
For reading, choose a light that can be directed so it does not disturb the other person.
Wardrobe and dressing area
You need accurate colour when choosing clothes and applying make-up. Use neutral white light with high colour rendering inside wardrobes and around the mirror. Light a mirror from both sides or from the front, not from directly above, to avoid shadows on the face.
Accent lighting
An LED strip behind the headboard, under a floating bed or inside a niche adds depth and works well as a night light. Keep it warm and dim.
Colour temperature
Warm white (2700K to 3000K) is the right choice for the main bedroom lighting. Cooler light in the evening makes it harder to wind down. Read warm white vs cool white for a room-by-room guide.
Switching: plan it from the bed
- Use 2 way switches so the main light can be turned off from the door and from the bed.
- Put ambient, bedside and accent lights on separate switches.
- Add a dimmer to the main lights.
- Include sockets on both sides of the bed for chargers and lamps.
Our switch and socket buying guide explains gang and way in plain terms.
Small bedroom tips
- Wall lights and pendants free up floor and table space.
- Light the walls and ceiling to make the room feel larger.
- Use a mirror opposite a light source to bounce light around.
Children’s and guest bedrooms
For children, add a brighter general light for play and study, and a low night light. For guest rooms, keep switching simple and obvious, with a reading light at the bed.
Frequently asked questions
Which light colour is best for a bedroom?
Warm white, around 2700K to 3000K. It is relaxing and flattering, and helps the room feel calm in the evening.
How many downlights does a bedroom need?
A small bedroom of about 10 ft by 10 ft usually needs around four. Place them around the room rather than directly over the bed.
Are pendant lights good beside a bed?
Yes. Small pendants hung on each side save table space and add character, as long as each has its own switch.
Related guides
- Modern Living Room Lighting Ideas
- False Ceiling Lighting Ideas: Cove, Downlights and More
- Warm White vs Cool White: Which Light Colour for Each Room?
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