Getting the lighting right in your bedroom is crucial not only for aesthetic purposes, but also to support your sleeping and waking routine. The bedroom is often the least valued area in the house in terms of light and interior design, yet we spend a great deal of time there that is crucial to our rest and overall wellbeing. Here are some tips for effective bedroom lighting.

Consider the size and layout of your bedroom

Before you begin to plan the lighting scheme, consider the dimensions of your bedroom and how you plan to use the space. Check out where the sockets and switches are located, as this will help you plan where to place your lights and how many it will be possible to install.

Make sure that the placement of the lights is in harmony with the layout of the furniture and the overall ambience that you want to create. 

Build layers of lighting

Your bedroom should have a general level of ambient lighting that casts plenty of light around the whole room and allows you to move around safely, which will usually be supplied by a recessed ceiling or pendant light. Add some task lighting in the form of bedside table lamps for reading, or wall sconces placed above dressing tables.

If the bedroom is also a study or workspace, then a desk lamp will be needed to help with reading and other tasks. You may also wish to add some luxury decorative accent lighting to create a certain atmosphere with a softer more diffused light. You can install dimmer switches or use LED candles, for example.

Work with your circadian rhythm

The circadian rhythm is the body’s natural internal clock that is aligned with environmental cues, particularly the changing of the light from day to night. It plays a crucial role in our sleep-wake cycle, so when our circadian rhythms are out of balance, it can seriously affect the quality of our sleep. 

Restorative sleep is crucial for our general sense of wellbeing and many specific aspects of our mental and physical health. Therefore, circadian lighting systems have been growing in popularity in recent years. This is lighting that is designed to naturally complement the cycle of natural light by gradually changing in intensity and tone to mimic natural light.

At sunrise and sunset, the circadian lighting system starts with a soft warm light, gradually becoming brighter and cooler throughout the day to help us feel fully awake. As sunset approaches, the lighting will automatically become warmer and less bright.

You can replicate this effect in your bedroom by choosing customisable dimmable lamps that have variable colour temperatures and can be adjusted to suit your mood or the time of day or night.