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Bedroom lighting requires a delicate balance between atmosphere and functionality. It is a place of rest and relaxation first and foremost, but it shouldn’t be so dark and dim that you can’t actually use it. That’s where reading lighting comes in.
In this article, we will examine how to choose bedroom reading lights, as well as bedside lighting ideas for couples and beyond.
Why Bedroom Reading Lighting Matters
A bed reading light bridges the gap between tasks. When you’re ready to unwind and go to sleep and don’t want to tire your eyes with overhead lighting that you’ll have to get out of bed to switch off, bedside lights are convenient.
Having reading lights by the bed gives you focused illumination that serves the purpose of helping you read more easily in bed. They accomplish this without disturbing the overall ambiance and atmosphere in the room.
Alongside their functionality, a well-placed reading lamp for bed zones can also influence the emotional aspect of the room. Soft, warm lighting that is not bright and glaring can contribute to the relaxing nature of the space and help you unwind.
How to Decide What Lighting Is Needed
Figuring out what to look for in a reading light can feel daunting, since there are so many options available. When determining the best lighting for reading in bed, think about the people who will be occupying that bed.
- SHARED BEDS. Lighting should be considered in a shared space. For example, if one person goes to bed earlier than the other, wall mounted reading lights can give the person remaining awake enough light to see without disturbing their partner.
- SOLO SLEEPERS. Those who sleep alone will benefit from having a light that they can reach up and turn off with ease. This will provide the same convenience that couples can enjoy, while dimming the light comfortably before bed.
Regardless of how many people are sharing a bed, bedside reading lights provide more intuitive lighting for nighttime. If you choose lights that have a dimmable element, you can enjoy even more control over how bright the light looks.
Different Types of Bedroom Reading Light You Can Use
Bedroom reading lamp fixtures are numerous and varied, just like individual bedrooms. The best light for your space will depend on certain aspects of the bedroom itself. Below, we will explore different bedroom lighting for night readers.
- RECESSED READING LAMPS. Recessed lights are built into the headboard or the wall itself. They have a modern, clean and integrated look with minimal visual impact. They also save space in this way, especially in smaller rooms.
- SURFACE MOUNTED LIGHTS. Bedroom wall reading lights sit atop the wall itself and are easier to install than recessed lights. They come in a wide variety of finishes and can work as a design element as well as a lighting fixture.
- FLEXIBLE FIXTURES. Bendy light fixtures have arms that you can twist and turn to point the illumination right where you want it. These adjustable arms help you stay in control of where exactly the light shines, making them convenient and adaptable.
- FIXED HEADBOARD LIGHTS. These lights attach to the headboard and tend to have a tilting or pivoting head. They provide minimal adjustments in terms of beam, but not as much as a bendable light does.
- CLIP ON LIGHTS. Best for smaller spaces, clip-on lights can be attached to the headboard easily. They require no extra installation, but they are oftentimes less stable and durable than permanent reading lights of some kind.
How to Match the Finish of Your Bedroom Design Scheme
When incorporating new home or hotel lighting by the bed, it’s important that you are able to work them into any existing home decor. It is recommended that you echo any existing finishes in the room with your new bedside wall lights. At the same time, you may want to create contrast with your finishes instead.
There are a few key finish types that you can take advantage of to match your bedroom’s design scheme.
Matte Black
For a contemporary and bold bedroom, matte black finishes are in. They are also good in industrial interiors that need a rawer look. They can contrast beautifully against wood paneling and light colored walls.
Brushed Chrome
Elegant and clean looking, chrome reflects light in a subtle way and blends in effortlessly with contemporary or transitional design elements.
Warm Metallics
Warm toned metals like brass, bronze and copper give a vintage appeal to your space. They complement soft fabrics and wood furniture to bring about a more intimate, cosy feeling.
White Finishes
White is clean and minimalist, perfect for modern spaces. This kind of finish is ideal for smaller bedrooms where you want to keep visual clutter to a minimum.
How to Get Bedroom Reading Lighting Placement Right
One of the best reading light placement tips for bedrooms is to think in terms of zones. This means beginning with the reading zone of your bedroom, which is oftentimes your bed. Knowing where you will be reading helps decide where you should place the light.
Reading lights should be able to illuminate the page itself and not the pillows surrounding you. Position your lights just slightly above your shoulder and angle the beams to avoid glare and eye contact.
If you are someone who has a hard time staying in one position while reading, you may benefit from bedroom lamps that are flexible. This will give you good general positioning that you can alter and shift depending on how you are sitting or lying at any given time.
Why the Quality of the LED Light Is Vital
When you are shopping for your new bedroom lights, it is easy to think about things like finish and placement and forget to get quality lighting first and foremost. Higher quality lights will last you for longer and provide you with stable, flicker-free illumination that you can rely on.
Premium LED lights will also give you reliable colour temperature reads. Colour temperature is important in any room, but especially in a bedroom where warmer lights are a must. With quality LEDs you can get strong, warm lighting that won’t be too weak or flicker.
LED lights are also energy efficient, so they will use less energy and reduce the amount of electricity being used. The result may be seen in your electricity bill and how the cost of it lowers.
The energy efficient nature also makes them longer lasting. LED bulbs tend to run for tens of thousands of hours as opposed to the 1,000 hours or so of a halogen bulb. A longer life means that you won’t have to replace them as often, which can also save you money upfront.
What Features Are You Looking for in a Reading Light?
When you are looking for a new light fixture, it is important that you consider more than just how it looks. Having the right fixture makes all the difference, and taking a moment to apply thoughtful consideration to your purchase will help ensure you are satisfied with the result.
Features to consider in an LED light include:
- CONTROLS. Do you want a light switch that is touch sensitive without any visible buttons? Or would you prefer having a toggle or rocker switch instead? Consider smart controls to allow you to control it with your voice alone.
- DIMMABLE OR NOT? Dimmable lighting is often recommended in bedrooms due to the relaxing nature of it. Having the ability to dim your lights will help you relax and unwind faster in bed and are oftentimes more comfortable on the eyes.
- ADJUSTABLE OR FIXED? Whether you choose fixed or adjustable lights will depend on your needs. If you don’t move around a lot or aren’t sharing a bed, a fixed fixture may be fine. If you do share a space or read in various positions, you may prefer adjustable lighting instead.
- CHARGING PORTS. Increasingly, light fixtures have USB ports in them that allow for charging of electronics. Decide whether you want to have a built in USB or not, especially if you are already short on space beside the bed.
Why It Is Important to Consider Your Bedroom Layered Lighting When Installing Reading Lamps
Layered lighting ensures that your space is well lit and balanced. It consists of three layers: ambient, accent and task.
Ambient light provides the main foundation of illumination in a room. It is often achieved through ceiling lighting and wall lights. Task lighting, such as reading lights, provides more direct illumination for certain activities. Finally, accent lighting provides focal points through accents and can help set the mood.
By having all three layers working in harmony, you will enjoy balanced illumination that is more intuitive. For example, you can have all layers on at once, or only control a single layer at a time. This will help you set the mood and brightness levels depending on what you want at a given time.
What to Consider When Installing in a Hotel Environment
Hospitality lighting is key to the overall guest experience in a hotel. It can play a major role in the communication of brand personality while also influencing the mood and atmosphere.
To keep things guest centric, it’s important to make sure your lighting is intuitive in more than one way. Change the light levels according to different times of day and task areas. Also, be sure that lights in individual rooms are easy for guests to control on their own.
Bedside lighting right beside where guests sleep makes it easy for them to turn the lights on and off from a comfortable position. It can also help them relax and unwind before bed, giving them better sleep. Getting more rest at your hotel may make their stay more memorable, which could mean repeat business in the future.
Of course, you will also want to be sure you are choosing LED lights. In hotels where there is always going to be lights on around the clock, having efficient lighting can save on your energy costs. It will also last much longer, so you can reduce the amount you have to spend on replacements.
Conclusion
Bedside lighting helps with the transition between wakefulness and sleep and is the perfect task lighting for the bedroom. In this article, we’ve taken a look at various types of reading lights, as well as how best to incorporate them into your space.
