The bedroom undoubtedly plays a significant role in our relaxation and comfort, as it is, after all, the place in our homes where we sleep and perhaps relax if we want to have a bit of ‘me’ time. And whilst it’s ideal if your bedroom is sufficiently dark when you want to sleep, you need the appropriate bright or ambient lighting if you want to do certain tasks or do a bit of reading. It’s essential that you choose the right kind of lighting for your bedroom. You probably need ambient lighting for your bedroom combined with task and accent lighting, and it can be a challenge to combine all three if you don’t have the right information. Here, then, is your all-important guide to choosing the perfect lighting for your bedroom.
- Layering ambient, task, and accent lighting
One of the essential aspects of creating the perfect lighting for your bedroom is layering. You need to find the right balance between task, accent, and ambient lighting. Ambient lighting can consist of the right amount of natural light during the daytime, and you can achieve this with windows and even skylights, but it also consists of artificial light in the form of ceiling fixtures (think chandeliers, flush-mounted ceiling lighting, and pendant lighting) or through lamps or floor lamps. For task lighting, which you will use mostly for working, reading, or grooming yourself, think about standard desk lighting, but you can add other elements such as low-hanging pendant lighting, wall sconces, or wall-mounted task lighting fixtures. For accent lighting, which is designed to highlight a particular feature (such as a picture frame or painting) or draw attention to an area and make a room look warmer and cosier, you can make use of recessed lights such as downlights, wall sconces, or tape lights.
- The brightness
In layering modern lighting for your bedroom, you also have to consider the brightness of the lights you choose. The kind of bulb you select makes a difference. You want to think about your preference when it comes to lumens (brightness level), and recommended lumens for bedrooms range from 2000 to 4000, although the final decision will be based on what you really prefer. You may also want to think about dimmable lighting, and it’s best to use special, advanced dimmers if you want dimmer capabilities which are buzz- and flicker-free.
- The colour
Apart from brightness, you should think about the colour as well. First of all, consider the kind of bulb you want, whether you want an incandescent or halogen bulb or CFL bulbs. Incandescent or halogen bulbs can provide a soft, whitish glow, whilst CFL bulbs can offer a bluish tinge or hue. LED lighting, on the other hand, can provide you with an array of colour temperatures, which makes for some great choices. Keep in mind that blue lights and white lights can make you more alert, so it’s best to use them with directional or task lighting. If you want to relax and calm down at the end of the day, however, you can make use of warmer yellow colours. They’re also perfect for watching television or reading.
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