The bedroom is the most important part of the apartment or house, as it is designed to relax and restore strength. In it, everything should be set up for rest and relaxation, while at the same time meeting the taste preferences of the owner. Here, the color of the walls, the texture of the finish, the convenience of furniture and, of course, the quality of lighting matter. What types of lighting can be used in the bedroom and what are their features, we will tell in this article.
What should be the lighting?
Fixtures for the bedroom can vary in many ways. The point is not only in the taste preferences of customers, but also in the purpose of the devices: directly for lighting, to create a special atmosphere, for reading, etc. Lighting the bedroom should fulfill its main function - lighting. It should be convenient for you to dress in this room, find the right things, read books and magazines, do makeup in the dark.
The light should not be too bright. Always a powerful light in the room, which serves for relaxation, will be at least inappropriate. The intensity of lighting should be easily adjustable, since this parameter greatly affects the psychological state of a person.
Sometimes you want to be alone with yourself in the twilight, and sometimes, on the contrary, you want the space to shine as intensely as possible.
Lamps should be at arm's length and turn on without extra effort. This is especially important for bedside sconces, for example. If this is not possible in your case, then purchase lamps with a remote control.
In the bedroom you should not hang modern lamps in which a naked lamp is clearly visible. This is more suitable for a hall or workshop in the loft style, while the bedroom assumes the presence of a variety of fabric hoods, mosaic lampshades or simply elegant-shaped shades that gently scatter light into the surrounding space.
Placement in the interior
If you are the owner of a bedroom of compact size, the lamps should not be huge, otherwise they will emphasize the small dimensions of the room. In large rooms, you need to illuminate every corner, which means that zonal and spot lighting may well coexist with one large light source.
The dimensions of most bedrooms still allow you to combine several types of lighting. First of all, a central lamp is installed, which serves as the brightest light source. Local lighting can highlight several objects:
- by the bed it is best to put the same light sources on both sides;
- a mirror in the bedroom;
- work area, e.g. desk
If possible, decorative lighting sources are also used. Nightlights, flower-shaped lamps, LED strips, etc. fall into this category. The dim and diffused light that they create is also very important - it creates a magical and unique atmosphere, brings comfort and coziness to the room.
It is important to plan the lighting system at the beginning of the repair, as changing it in the process or at the end can be problematic. Think in advance where you would like to see light sources or consult an interior designer.
Types of Lighting
The bedroom gives a wide scope for the imagination of the owner, as the light sources here can be varied.
Chandeliers
If the ceilings in the room are not very high, then the chandeliers are mounted directly on it. If the distance allows, then the chandelier is suspended on a chain. The height from the floor should be more than 2 meters. With such a landing, the light is scattered more widely. When the bulbs are directed to the ceiling, shadows appear on it, which does not always look good. To avoid this phenomenon, you need to pay attention to the design of the lamps. They are able to act as not only the main, but the only source of light in the bedroom, but this option cannot be called successful.
Hanging chandeliers are subject to dust pollution, therefore, they need wet cleaning. They are easy to break during children's games, and the transportation of the device to the house should be as accurate as possible. When installing the chandelier, there are certain inconveniences with the wiring.
Sconces
Glass and plastic wall lights are often used in the design of bedrooms. The lamps in them can be turned on in different ways - with the help of a switch or a lace on its body. The second option can usually be seen by the bed or near the mirrors.
The sconces suggest the installation of not too bright lamps, otherwise some parts of the device may overheat and even melt.
Floor lamp
This is a lamp on the leg, which is placed directly on the floor in a convenient place. Usually for stability, it is equipped with a tripod or a solid part, which does not allow it to fall. They are good not only in the bedroom by the bed, but also near the armchair with a coffee table. There are models of floor lamps that are equipped with a mini table. Switching on is usually done by means of a button located on the lamp itself, or on the wire that powers it.
Floor lamps are optimally suited for reading books, because due to the design features of the device, the light falls just down. A variety of styles allows you to find a specific floor lamp for any interior. Also a plus is that this additional light source is not enough powerful bulb, which means that it saves electricity. The disadvantage of such a luminaire is its relatively poor stability. A floor lamp may fall if playful pets or children live in the apartment.
Night lights
They focus light on the ceiling or wall, creating a soft, warm atmosphere. Usually night lamp shades have a dull yellow, green or white hue. Easy to connect, they have a variety of unusual shapes, because most often such a light source serves as a “duty” in the children's room.
Point
This type of lighting is widely used in the installation of suspended ceilings. Each light bulb is small in size, but in the group they create a spectacular atmosphere of scattered light in the room, and also allow you to simulate ornate structures on the ceiling, making the interior exclusive. There are lamp options for 220V, as well as 12V - the second comes with a power supply.
On cables
Cable or track lights - model popular in youth interiors. Such suspensions are a constant companion of high-tech or loft interiors. Such interiors are rarely used to decorate bedrooms, but it is still worth mentioning such a modern option. They are good for large bedrooms with zoning, various ceilings and high ceilings. On a cable from wall to wall, a series of rotary lamps is attached, a voltage line is drawn - and the stylish attribute of a modern home is ready.
Tabletop
They can create both diffused and directional light depending on the model and its design features. A desk is the main place for a table lamp, but some put it on bedside tables.
How to choose?
Not everyone thinks about how economical the use of a particular lamp will be. The most affordable are spotlights and those that have a base E14 or E27. If you want to save on electricity, then the lamp that you choose should fit under them. When reading the instructions for the lamp, pay attention to lamps of what maximum power can be used with it. If you do not follow this information, the light source may overheat.
Now consider the choice of fixtures in terms of their functions and location.
Main light
As we said above, the source of the main light is a chandelier. For many of us, it is associated with childhood and comfort, since before they were present in all apartments. When choosing it, keep in mind that in suspension, the chandelier must be at least 210 cm from the floor.
Instead of one large chandelier, several ceiling lights located in different parts of the ceiling can be used as the main light.
Spotlight can even replace a chandelier if there is a lot of it. Many designs of modern stretch ceilings suggest such a backlight scheme that gives maximum lighting. By the way, in America, many do not use chandeliers, preferring only floor lamps, sconces, etc. This solution is especially appropriate for rooms with a low ceiling, so as not to focus on it.
Headboard light
It is helped by creating table lamps, shades hanging from the ceiling, bedside sconces, night lights, long LED strips and spotlights.
According to generally accepted standards, the source should be located at a distance of half a meter from the bedside table and 120-160 cm from the floor. Then its location will not cause discomfort. Well, of course, before buying a lamp, you need to make sure that its light will not hit sharply in the eye - ideal models with matte shades that scatter too bright rays.
Work area or reading light
A sconce or floor lamp is well suited for a chair in which you like to read. If reading usually occurs in bed, then at the head of the bed they usually put a night lamp suitable for power. Workplace and computer desk - should illuminate both the overhead light and the desk lamp. If zoning is carried out in the room, this will allow you to do work or read without disturbing other family members to sleep.
Mirror, dressing table or wardrobe lighting
Small built-in lights are ideal for the cabinet.At least three lamps are placed next to the mirror: one at the top and one on each side. The dressing table is usually illuminated from two sides.
Night illumination
Ideal option - not too bright and low located or floor-mounted built-in light sources that are easily turned on in the dark. This is convenient for entering or leaving the bedroom without disturbing the rest of the household.
Decorative light, popular today, helps create zoning of the space, as well as focus on any part of the interior, for example, a painting or a set of them. This is helped by sconces, special lamps with directional light, spotlights and more. The most open space for creativity is provided by built-in light sources, specially selected for your interior. As a budget option, LED strips can be used for this purpose, which are powered by both the mains and batteries.
Features of decorative light is that it can be multi-colored, it can specially create delicate shadows, rotate or flicker like a starry sky or “run” like on a beautiful neon sign. Not everyone wants silence and peace always reigning in their bedroom, therefore, as an additional lighting, they often mount unusual original lamps like a touch panel from nightclubs or disco balls. All of them, of course, must have their own food and not adjacent to the sources of soft light.
Whatever lighting you choose for the bedroom, it should always bring comfort and coziness into it, so that if you wish, you can always fully relax from the hustle and bustle of a busy day.
See how to choose the light in the bedroom in the video below.