Organizing lighting in the bedroom so that it is both very comfortable and easy to control is quite a difficult task. When solving it, it is necessary to take into account many diverse factors. This area of the apartment should be intended for night rest, so it is necessary to provide soft, calm light. However, due to the lack of free space, the bedroom is often made multifunctional by placing a workspace in it, which should have its own lighting.
Bedroom lighting
Thanks to the fact that today you can purchase lighting fixtures of various designs and any design, you can create all the conditions for comfortable rest in the bedroom, and, if necessary, for work. But in order to properly organize the lighting in this room, you need to listen to some recommendations. It would also be useful to consider some projects developed and implemented in practice by experienced designers.
Lighting items
There are tons of options for lighting your bedroom using different lighting items. The most popular and more suitable for the bedroom:
- chandelier;
- Spotlights;
- floor lamp;
- sconce;
- LED Strip Light;
- bedside lamps;
- LED lamps and panels.
Depending on the size of the bedroom, its style and design, as well as the design of the ceiling, lighting items are selected. Each type of lighting requires special placement rules and performs a specific function.
Very often, several lighting items of different types are used, the main thing is that they are combined with each other and are in the same stylistic direction.
Choice of concept
There are two types of lighting concepts in modern interior design. This is European and American. Let's look at them in a little more detail.
Planning lighting according to the European style means paying tribute to tradition. This approach requires the presence of a ceiling lamp that provides soft diffused light throughout the room. The general lamp is complemented by local floor lamps, sconces, and table lamps, which create light accents and perform a decorative function. This lighting concept is well known and still popular, especially in Russia.
The American type of lighting is the absence of general light and a large number of local lamps with multidirectional luminous flux. In this way, accent zones are highlighted, space is zoned, and lighting performs a decorative function. This approach is more suitable for a bedroom; it allows you to create a secluded area for reading and relaxation. In terms of electricity consumption, the American concept is more economical, since you will only use light where it is really needed.
When choosing one or another lighting concept, it is necessary to take into account the cardinal directions, the presence of windows in the bedroom and, therefore, natural light and the location of the bedroom relative to other rooms in the apartment. The general requirement for lighting in the bedroom is that it should be comfortable, sufficient and dim.
Lighting in a suspended ceiling
Stretch ceilings in the bedroom with lighting are very popular and can be achieved using various lighting fixtures. The only thing is that you should not use powerful halogen lamps, it is better to choose:
- halogen lamps with a power of up to 35 W and that the lighting device has an aluminum reflection, so that some of the light is not transmitted and no areolas appear;
- energy-saving lamps - practically do not heat up, which is very good for a stretch ceiling, but they require special disposal in case of burnout. Also, with frequent use, the light becomes scattered and flickering occurs; their service life is significantly shorter than that of LED lamps;
- LED lamps are considered the most durable and high-quality and at the same time not very energy-consuming compared to others. During operation, they practically do not heat up and serve for a long time.
Materials
When purchasing a chandelier for your bedroom, it is important to evaluate the safety of the materials. People spend a significant amount of time in this room, and exposure to toxic substances can be regular and long-term.
Premises safety experts advise purchasing products made from natural materials. The main parts of the lighting device must be made of high-quality metal. Chemical elements hazardous to health are not desirable in the alloy or outer coating.
The optimal material for lampshades is natural glass. It is often replaced with decorative plastic, which melts when heated and spreads a characteristic “chemical” smell throughout the room.
Expert opinion
Olga Kovalenko
Since 2010 I have been engaged in interior design and architectural design.
Wood of various species, crystal, natural stone, textiles - such materials will ensure a presentable appearance of the chandelier, a unique design, and safety.
Nuances of lighting in a small bedroom
Thoughtful and competent placement of lighting fixtures in a small bedroom can perfectly emphasize the style of the room and even visually expand its space. To ensure proper placement of lighting fixtures, it is worth considering the following aspects:
- You should not use only one piece of lighting;
- Illuminated mirrors in the bedroom are an excellent solution for a small area and it is advisable to place them opposite the window;
- You should not decorate the windows with heavy curtains, this will allow natural light to enter the room in a minimal amount;
- an excellent solution for a small bedroom - large, but open-type lamps;
- It is best to decorate the ceiling and walls in light colors.
Tips for planning lighting
In order to make it as simple and easy as possible to select and correctly position and decorate the lighting in the bedroom, it is worth considering the recommendations of experts:
- For a standard night light in the bedroom, a lamp with a power of 25 W and a neutral color will be enough.
- A wall sconce should be placed carefully, because if the light beam is directed upward, the height of the ceiling will visually increase, and if it is directed downward, it will decrease, but at the same time a romantic atmosphere will be added.
- If there is a central chandelier in the bedroom, but there are side lighting objects, then it is better to choose a 35-40 W lamp and warm light for the chandelier.
- It is best to choose lighting so that the light is warm and as soft as possible, then your eyes will not get tired.
- All lighting fixtures must be proportionally appropriate to the bedroom area.
- The design and material from which the lighting fixtures are made should match the overall style of the bedroom.
- If you place lighting at the bottom of the bed, you will get the effect of the bed “hovering” above the floor, which will look very original.
- Placing diffused light in the bedroom is ideal for older people or those with vision problems.
- When planning lighting, it is worth considering tiers: upper (ceiling), middle (lighting fixtures are placed at a height of approximately 1 m from the floor), lower (lighting at a level below 1 m or floor lighting) tier.
- When combining several different types of lighting items, it is worth considering that they must be combined with each other and create a complete picture.
- All lighting items should be placed so that they do not interfere with movement around the room.
- Decorative lighting should not be bright and should be turned on separately.
- If the bedroom has rather low ceilings, then you should not place a chandelier in it.
Lighting in the bedroom should be carefully selected and placed, adhering to certain rules and nuances. Otherwise, the lighting can ruin the entire interior and style of the bedroom.
You should be especially careful when using LED strips with different colors. It is also worth remembering that there should be as much lighting as possible, but warm and soft, so that it is comfortable to work and relax.
How to position the lamps correctly?
In relation to ceiling lighting, the chandelier should be placed strictly in the center of the ceiling, regardless of the location of the furniture below it. But if you provide lighting with spotlights, then their arrangement can be either symmetrical or in any unusual design for local illumination of a certain area, for example, in the place where the bed will be installed.
Regarding distances, the recommended height is:
- for a ceiling lamp - 215 - 230 cm from the floor, but here it is important to take into account the height of the person who will sleep or relax on the bed;
- bedside lamps can be placed on side tables, slightly to the side of the bed or directly above it, but the latter option is not the most convenient for a couple.
- the mirror and the adjacent area can be illuminated from above or from the sides, but in no case should you direct the light into a reflective surface, otherwise it will blind you.
