A bedroom needs softer light than any other room in the house. Plan a gentle overhead light for getting dressed, a reading light on each side of the bed, and a low glow for the last hour of the evening – and keep glare away from your eyes when you lie down.
Overhead light
Choose a flush or semi-flush fixture with a diffused shade so the bulb is never visible from the bed. Flush mounts suit ceilings under 8 feet; on higher ceilings a semi-flush or a small chandelier works well.
Reading light beside the bed
Bedside lamps should be tall enough that the bottom of the shade sits at about chin height when you sit up in bed. Wall sconces mounted 48–60 inches from the floor, or pendants hung about 20–24 inches above the nightstand, free up the tabletop.
Accent light
An LED strip behind the headboard or under the bed frame, or cove lighting in a tray ceiling, gives a soft light that is gentle enough to leave on at night.
Color temperature and dimmers
Choose 2700K – or even 2200K for bedside lights – for a warm light that helps you wind down. Put the overhead light on a dimmer and use separate switches for each side of the bed.