Build a relaxing retreat with layers of light.
From a beautiful statement chandelier to bedside lamps, lighting your bedroom is all about creating a relaxing retreat with layers of light that balance the natural light your space already receives. Get started choosing the right lighting for your bedroom with our guide to the three main types of light you’ll need to make sure that this key space is receiving all the light it needs.
Overhead Lighting
Start at the top and illuminate your entire room with a strong source of overhead light. Make a statement in rooms with high ceilings with one of our modern pendant lights, or opt for a more classic look with a semi-flush or flush mount—we have a wide selection of ceiling lights to choose from. Our Abigail Lighting Collection features handcrafted clay shades that give a natural, organic feel to any space, while our Palo Alto Globe Pendant adds a sleek polished look. Many of our lighting collections feature a range of customizable fixtures so that you can create a look that is custom made for your space.
Create a cohesive look throughout your bedroom by choosing lighting from different collections in the same finish.
Project Tip: To determine the right size ceiling fixture, add the width and length of your room in feet, then use the sum to determine the diameter of your light in inches. For example, a 10-by-12-foot bedroom would work best with a 22-inch diameter pendant. When it comes to hanging height, try to maintain at least seven feet from the floor to the bottom of the shade; however, if your light hangs directly above the foot of the bed, hanging it a bit lower will create a more intimate, cozy feel.
Design Tip: Switch out your pendant for a combination light and fan, like our customizable Peregrine LED Ceiling Fan with a reversible motor, to improve airflow in rooms where windows—and natural light—are scarce.
Customize the length of your ceiling fan pendant depending on the height of your ceiling. Choose a combination light and fan to bring extra light to your space.
Use the fixture diameter as an easy guiding point to balance the overall scale of your light fixture in relation to your space. See our guide to Ceiling Lighting for Your Whole House for customization options for every room.
Task Lighting
In addition to function, bedside lighting can also add character to your entire room.
Task lighting adds function to your bedroom and can brighten bedtime reading, illuminate your closet, and bring light to dark corners. Wall sconces on either side of the bed provide ideal reading light, and free up more space on your bedside table for your favorite books and essentials. Consider an articulating sconce like our Brendle Sconce for the flexibility to shine light where you need it most, or opt for a simple fixture like our Albrook Single Sconce. You can also install wall lighting inside your closet or beside a floor length mirror.
The Brendle Sconce has a pivoting shade that provides targeted directional light for reading in bed, while our Leahy Table Lamp provides a source of ambient light.
Project Tip: The ideal height and placement of your bedside sconces will depend on your ceiling height, nightstand size, and bed height. The rule of thumb is to keep sconces two to four feet from the mattress and four to six inches from the side of the headboard. Since these measurements vary depending on your space, and bed size, it's most important to mount your sconces where the bulb won't be visible from above or create glare while you're sitting upright in bed reading. Be sure to leave space for other room features, like nearby curtains or windows.
Plug-in sconces provide an easy way to customize your bedside lighting without special installation or electrical work. See our video guide for how to install a plug-in sconce.
Design Tip: Elevate your bedside lighting by hanging two pendant lights from the ceiling over your nightstands, on either side of your bed. Choose a design with a slimmer profile that won’t crowd your space, like our Paige Pendant, Abigail Cone, or Ball Pendant. We recommend the distance between the surface of your nightstand and the bottom of the shade be at least 12 to 15 inches to leave room for other accessories like bedside plants. You can adjust this height to best suit your needs—a higher pendant will project more light throughout the room, while a lower pendant will focus light towards the nightstand. We offer several pendant styles, including options with articulating shades, and our customizable options make it easy to select the ideal hanging length.
The Abigail Ball Pendant's distinct rounded shade adds a modern touch.
Keep in mind that the shade on your fixture will also determine the type of light it emits; a dark shade will direct light downward, which is ideal for reading. Choosing a lighter shade will suffuse a warmer glow for more ambient lighting. Explore our variety of hardwired and plug-in sconces to find your perfect fit.
Accent Lighting
Our Palo Alto Globe Floor Lamp, Ankeny Flush Mounts, and Antique Vintage Jar Lamp beautifully brighten this bedroom.
With a larger primary bedroom suite, accent lighting is key. Several lamps throughout the room, such as a table lamp on your dresser or a floor lamp in the corner will support your overhead lighting and brighten dark spots. Accent lights typically feature a lower wattage than overhead lights for more subtle illumination. Create a cozy reading nook with a plush armchair and modern table lamp – our Tala Alumina Table Lamp offers a sophisticated silhouette with a dimmable switch, while our Leahy Table Lamp’s customizable ceramic base and fabric shade combination provide a more traditional style. Add a floor lamp to brighten an empty corner, like our timeless Martus Floor Lamp with a wooden tripod base. Explore our versatile selection of floor and table lamps to get started.
Our Leahy Table Lamp ties together this dresser top vignette.
Design Tip: Similar to overhead lighting, choosing the right size and scale for your accent lighting is key. Avoid overwhelming your space with too many lights, or incorrectly sized lighting. If you're using two table lamps as your bedside lights, they should be around a 1/3 of the width of your nightstand and not too much taller than your headboard. While larger bedrooms can benefit from an overhead light, bedside lights, and a floor lamp, smaller rooms might only need an overhead light and two bedside lights.