Ever wonder why fairy lights and Himalayan salt lamps have a cult following? Health benefits aside, it’s because of the lighting. Lighting sets the tone for everything. And when it comes to the bedroom, setting up the right mood is crucial. This isn’t just where we sleep; it’s where we read, cuddle, doomscroll (no judgment), and occasionally fold laundry that’s been on the chair since Tuesday.
Bedrooms are our haven. Our safe spaces. That’s why proper lighting is needed to make sure our bedrooms become the space they need to be.
In this post, we’ll go through some bedroom lighting ideas to help you craft a relaxing space to retreat into, to help with your sleep, mood, and the occasional late-night snack missions.
How Does Light Affect Sleep and Mood?
We won’t bore you with the science behind this phenomenon (cause you might actually fall asleep). But in summary, light influences our circadian rhythm. This is our body’s natural biological clock that controls our sleep-wake cycle.
When it’s light outside, the body wakes up, and when it’s dark, the body prepares for sleep.
Illuminating your bedroom with bright, cool-toned light at night will trick your brain into thinking it’s still daytime, keeping you awake. But switch to dim lighting and you’ll start to feel drowsy in no time.
What colour light is best for sleep?
If you’re too scared that the monsters will take you if you turn off the lights, any light with the colour of sunset (red, orange, and yellow) is excellent for preparing the mind and body for sleep.
Ambient and Accent Lighting for Rest
What’s the difference between the two? And why is it essential to know so that you’re able to set up relaxing bedroom lighting? Glad you asked!
Ambient lighting is your room’s primary source of glow. These are your overhead lights, recessed downlights, or even that very determined floor lamp. Think of this as the foundation of your lighting. It illuminates the whole room, making things visible and accessible.
That’s why it’s important to make ambient lighting bedroom-appropriate:
- Go warm. Look for bulbs labelled “warm white” (around 2700K to 3000K). Anything higher and the light becomes a wake-up slap instead.
- Keep it soft. Use frosted bulbs or lampshades that diffuse light gently instead of using spotlights so crisp and bright that they sometimes even feel like they can highlight poor life choices.
- Don’t rely on one source. Learn to layer your lights for different purposes, which brings us to accent lighting.
Accent lighting is where the magic happens. These are the mood-setters that add visual interest and softness to the room, no matter how messy it may be (no judgement!).
Think LED strip lighting behind your headboard, fairy lights tucked into curtain rods, or even a backlit bookshelf for a fancy glow. Accent lights add depth to an otherwise stale room.
Smart Bulbs, Dimmers, and Control Options
If you can’t trust yourself to go to sleep early (or at least not past midnight), then have your lights remind you! Enter smart lighting. The holy grail for those of us with little to no self-control when it comes to Netflix marathons and “one more game” with the squad.
Here’s how smart lighting can help:
- Smart bulbs let you control brightness, colour temperature, and even create routines. Set some of your lights to dim halfway at a certain time to begin “sleep preparation.” This is your cue to shower and start brushing your teeth!
- Control your lights from your phone or with a voice assistant like Alexa or Google Home.
- Smart plugs work with regular lamps, giving you timer and remote control powers.
Dimmer switches are the analogue version of this magic, and you don’t even need to download an app. Install a wall dimmer or grab a lamp with a dimmer knob, and you’re in control. Hopefully, you don’t keep asking for “five more minutes.”
Pro tip: Program your lights to gradually dim over 30 minutes before bed. Your body will catch on.
Bonus: You can also “fake” a sunrise in the morning with some smart bulbs that slowly brighten to mimic daylight. Because how you wake up is important, too, in starting your day right.
Bedside Lighting Ideas
Instagram-worthy bedside selfies? Who doesn’t want that, especially if you have good lighting set up on your bedside? But this light goes beyond just style; it serves essential functions, too. These are the lights that are most accessible to you.
Some ideas to try:
- Swing-arm wall sconces save space and feel like you’re staying in a chic hotel while on your bed. Plus, no more knocking your lamp off the nightstand when reaching for your water bottle.
- LED strip lighting under the bed frame gives your room a floaty, futuristic glow without being overbearing. Why you’d love this: Perfect for midnight bathroom trips.
- Rechargeable touch lamps are great for renters or minimalists. No cords, no installation, and they can double as reading lights or gentle night lights.
Look for features like:
Adjustable heads – so you don’t (accidentally) blind your partner during late-night reading marathons
Warm tones – again, that magical 2700K sweet = good night sleep)
Smart compatibility – nothing makes you feel more like you’re living in the future than saying “dim lights” as you climb into bed
Design Styles and Popular Trends
We know. We know. This is what you’ve been waiting for, and we’ve been holding out for too long. Okay, let’s talk aesthetics.
You’ve got the function down. Now, how do you inject personality into your bedroom while only using lights? (Hint: it’s more than just installing dimmable bedroom lights.) When in doubt, let the current trends guide you!
Modern Candlelight Vibes
Warm, flickering LED candles are having a moment. Line them along a windowsill or on floating shelves for that medieval-meets-modern ambience—no wax drips involved. And if you’re feeling a little magical? Hang them on the ceiling at different heights using transparent strings. Watch out for a pointy hat shouting, “Gryffindor!”
Sculptural Lamps and Light Art
Lighting = decor. From mushroom-shaped bedside lamps to glowing orb pendants, fixtures are no longer just background characters. They’re the stars… the centrepieces. Go bold with something that makes you smile every time you turn it on.
Minimalist Zen
Think rice paper lanterns, hidden LED strips, and soft linen lamp shades. This style leans into calm and balance, with nothing too flashy, but still tons of style.
Colour-Change RGB Fun
Colour-changing lights aren’t just for teens anymore… with the right lighting setup. A gentle pink and/or orange in the evening can set a dreamy tone that prepares you for bed. Also, maybe hold off on the disco vibe unless that’s your thing (in which case, go wild).
Vintage Revival
Brass finishes, retro bulbs, and opal glass shades are showing up in stylish bedrooms everywhere. Vintage-style lamp with modern controls? It’s such a charm that rests the body (and maybe the soul, too?).
Putting It All Together – Your New Bedroom Lighting Game Plan:
1. Start with ambient light. Consider a soft ceiling fixture or floor lamp with a warm bulb.
2. Add layers. Create depth by adding a bedside lamp, a sconce, or a string of fairy lights for extra dimension.
3. Get in control of the mood. Use dimmers, timers, or smart bulbs to better manage your lights.
4. Style it up. Match your lighting to your aesthetic. Don’t be afraid to mix materials or shapes. If you like it, then it’s good.
5. Prioritise “wind-down” mode. Make your lighting part of your nightly routine—turn off overheads, switch on warm accent lights, and cue the “bedtime vibes” playlist. And with voice controls, you can simply say, “Alexa, let’s get ready for bedtime.”
Conclusion
Bedrooms have evolved from being just a sleep zone to becoming a sanctuary, an escape pod, and a personal cloud. And bedroom lighting has moved from just “bright enough” to properly layering your lights to boost mood and promote rest.
There are a lot of lighting trends thrown around the internet, but when installing your lights, prioritise setting them up to support how you use your space. You won’t just sleep better. You’ll live better. That’s a guarantee.
Now go forth and level up your bedroom lights.
