Bedroom Lighting Ideas to Illuminate Your Space

The right lighting can completely change the look and feel of a room. Lighting your bedroom is less about bringing in natural light and more about focusing on using lighting fixtures tactfully and creatively. To help make sure you have a well-lit master bedroom, we have gone to work finding some of the best bedroom lighting ideas.

When choosing the light fixtures for your bedroom, try to create layers. There should be three different types of light. The first is ambient lighting; this is a room-filling generalized light. The second type is task lighting, or focused light designed to illuminate the space you’re working in. The third is accent lighting; indirect light that highlights interesting architectural or decor features in the room.

Choose the best lighting fixtures for your bedroom with these lighting ideas below.

1. Elegant Chandelier Bedroom Lighting Ideas

Having a chandelier in your bedroom can give you plenty of ambient light while also elevating the room’s feel. Try to pick one that will become a focal point in the room. Typically, chandeliers are large and centrally located, making them the perfect statement piece.

If you have a traditional, baroque, or French country-style bedroom, stick with a more ornate design with glass or crystal. These chandeliers are elaborate with fine detailing throughout.

If you have a modern or Scandinavian bedroom, then look for an industrial or modern chandelier – simple in design with very few details. A Sputnik chandelier will look ultra-modern and cast light in all directions. These chandeliers feature several bars formed into a starburst shape with a bulb at the end of each bar.

Cozy bedroom with white bedding, rustic wood accents, and natural light through large windows.

Luxurious bedroom with tufted headboard, elegant chandelier, and framed wall art.

Modern master bedroom with sputnik chandelier, abstract blue wall art, and plush bedding.

Luxury bedroom with tufted headboard, modern chandelier, mirrored decor, and gray accents.

Spacious modern bedroom with wood floors, exposed beams, stone fireplace, and elegant chandelier.

Bright attic bedroom with all-white decor, vaulted ceiling, and hanging capiz shell chandelier.

Modern bedroom with patterned carpet, tufted bed, elegant chandelier, and cozy seating area.

Rustic bedroom with exposed wood beams, elegant chandelier, fireplace, and tufted bedding.

Contemporary bedroom with modern fireplace, layered chandelier, and cozy seating area.

Luxury bedroom with high ceiling, blue sofas, tufted headboard, and elegant chandelier.

2. Stylish and Refreshing

Your bedroom is the one place in the house where you can express your personality without fear of judgment. If you love that outlandish light fixture, why not place it in your bedroom? Get creative with bedside wall sconces that are dripping in crystals. Or how about table lamps that have several smaller lights that you can angle in several directions? You could use LED strips to set the mood or indirect lighting on your accent wall to create just enough light to move about the room, but not so much that it will keep you awake.

A popular modern bedroom lighting trend is to embrace chandeliers and pendant lights in new ways. Instead of tableside lamps on your bedside table, you could bring your bedside light down from the ceiling. You could have long pendants flanking the bed or two skinny but long chandeliers on either side.

Modern bedroom with grey bed, circular crystal chandelier, and elegant decor.

Rustic bedroom with large windows, wooden beams, cozy seating, and starburst chandelier.

Luxury bedroom with chandelier, open patio doors, grey decor, and wood beam ceiling.

Modern grey bedroom with fluffy chandelier, photo wall art, and cozy layered bedding.

Minimalist attic bedroom with wood floors, balcony, and simple wooden bed.

Minimalist bedroom with rope pendant light, cozy bedding, and wall art.

Modern bedroom with minimalist LED strip wall lighting and dark upholstered headboard.

Luxury gray bedroom with mirrored nightstand and crystal chandelier wall sconce.

Modern bedroom with textured accent wall, platform bed, and low-hanging pendant lights.

Luxury bedroom with geometric wood accent wall, low platform bed, and ambient lighting.

Luxury gray bedroom with tufted headboard, silver chandelier, and plush white carpet.

Elegant bedroom with ornate headboard, chandelier lights, and cozy seating.

3. Cove and Ambient Lighting

You can install an accent light to highlight particular architectural or design elements in your room. A common approach is to use LED strips to create indirect light. You don’t see the light fixture or bulb, but you do see a soft glow coming from behind an edge.

You could install this lighting under shelves, in a cut-out, alcove, or molding along the ceiling. For a modern feel, install it under the edge of your bed so that it looks like your bed is glowing. Another modern design includes installing raised panels on the wall and with lights mounted behind the panels to an illuminated 3D effect.

Another method could be installing LED strips behind crown molding or in a tray ceiling. This use of cove lighting creates a classy but modern touch in a more formal space.

Modern bedroom with floral accent wall, LED ceiling lights, and warm decor.

Cozy rustic bedroom with string globe lights, wooden accent wall, and holiday decor. — ideas/Instagram

Minimalist bedroom with geometric headboard, soft backlighting, and bedside books.

Contemporary bedroom with cove ceiling lighting, stone fireplace, and built-in shelving.

Modern grey bedroom with padded accent wall, cove lighting, and upholstered ottoman.

Modern minimalist bedroom with cove lighting, large window, and simple black bed.

Modern bedroom with wood accent wall, cove lighting, and light vinyl flooring.

4. Creative Use of Floor Lamps

There are two main styles of floor lamps to consider, and which style you choose will depend on the type of lighting you’re trying to create. A floor lamp with a single adjustable light bulb is perfect for creating task lighting. Larger lamps that emanate a lot of light are better for creating general lighting that illuminates the entire room.

When placing your floor lamp, think about the footprint and height. You can create depth in your room by choosing a lamp with a larger footprint and lofty stature. This lamp will create vertical visual space in the room and help the room feel taller.

Minimalist white bedroom with platform bed, floor lamp, and light wood furniture. — Prostock-studio/Shutterstock

Dark modern bedroom with unique floor lamp, glass closet, and subtle cove lighting. — minimalistgoddess/Instagram

Modern white bedroom with gold floor lamps, textured wall art, and wooden log side table. — goriyoon_architecture/Instagram

Minimalist bedroom with world map accent wall, large floor lamp, and low platform bed.

Modern living room with hidden wood wall door, white sofa, and floor lamp. — ImageFlow/Shutterstock

5. Inspiring Lighting Arrangements

There are several ways you can achieve the proper lighting in your bedroom. Start with the ambient light by installing ceiling lights. These could be a chandelier, a ceiling fan light, or recessed lights.

Then install your task lighting. These would be your bedside lights, table lamps, floor lamps, wall lamps, reading nook lights, or vanity table lights. These are light fixtures that have brighter and more focused light.

Your final step is to add accent lighting. This could be a small light on a piece of artwork, lights hidden under shelving, or just decorative string lights. Your accent lighting should be soft and could even be an unusual color.

Dark minimalist bedroom with skull wall art, black curtains, and industrial chandelier.

Elegant bedroom with gray curtains, wall sconces, and upholstered headboard.

Modern bedroom with black wood paneling, framed wall art, and cozy bedding.

Modern bedroom with tufted headboard, candle chandelier, and navy patterned rug.

Luxury cabin bedroom with wood ceiling, stone fireplace, and upholstered headboard.

6. Embracing Simplicity

Minimalist bedroom decor calls for the right bedroom lighting ideas. Look for light fixtures that have minimal details and bulk. They should almost blend into the overall room – barely noticeable. They could be a single pendant cable or pole that extends downward. Or they could be a wall light that has a simple curve to bring the light out and away from the wall.

You will find that minimalist lighting is about the fixture and not about the amount of light it can produce. This means you’ll find minimalist fixtures for all three types of light. A minimalist ceiling light could be recessed bulbs or a single track with several lamps.

Minimalist bedroom with black wall-mounted bedside lamp and plaid pillow.

Minimalist gray bedroom with tufted headboard, pendant lights, and white bench.

Simple bedside setup with neutral-tone lamp, books, and minimalist decor.

Modern bedroom with geometric feature wall, low-hanging black pendant lights, and cozy bedding.

Monochrome bedroom with covered pendant light, framed wall art, and cozy bedding.

7. Unique Orb Lighting Concepts

An orb light can give your bedroom a modern feel while also providing plenty of light. They’re typically a pendant style, but you’ll also see them done as a chandelier or wall sconce. The most basic type of orb is the classic white frosted glass that covers the bulb. These are great for giving you diffused ambient light. The orb’s circular shape gives it a clean design that will blend in well with a wide variety of decor themes.

If you’re looking for something a bit fancier, you can find orbs made of intricate metal design work. These are perfect for adding a bit of glamour to your bedroom. They may have a metal cage surrounding the light bulb or have the lights mounted right on the orb.

When choosing your orb, you want it to be proportionate in size to the room. Otherwise, it will feel cramped if it’s too large and awkwardly ungrounded and floating if it’s too small.

Bedroom with lavender bedding, tufted headboard, and orb ceiling and wall lights.

Boho bedroom with macramé pendant light, wall shelf with plants, and cozy white bedding.

Girly bedroom with pink and white walls, orb ceiling light, and cozy decor. — miriamemiliedesign/Instagram

Modern bedroom with orb chandelier twin mirrors and monochrome bedding.

Pink and beige bedroom with tufted bench sunburst mirrors and gold orb chandelier. — nadeensamara.interiordesign/Instagram

Modern gray bedroom with black accents, wall art, and orb ceiling light fixture.

8. Inspiring Pendant Lighting Ideas

Most people are used to seeing pendant lights hanging in the kitchen over the counter. They’re perfect for illuminating the workspace under them. But did you know they can look right at home in your bedroom too? Hanging a pair of pendant lights from your ceiling can help tie the room together. It also adds the illusion of height by making your ceiling seem higher than it really is.

Look for a pendant lamp that matches your bedroom’s decor. It could be a bright metal with sparkling accents for a glam look. Or perhaps you choose one with a geometric frame for a modern minimalist look. One that uses rope and a caged light would be perfect for an industrial feel. There are also lights with hand-blown glass for a bohemian vibe.

If you don’t want pendants as bedside lights, try hanging one over your desk. Or, consider hanging one above your reading nook.

Elegant bedroom with tufted bench, marble floor, and pendant ceiling lights.

Modern men's bedroom with pendant lights, open closet, and wall-mounted guitar. — materassiperpassione/Instagram

Minimalist bedroom with telescope abstract wall art pendant lighting and large windows.

Dark minimalist bedroom with black bedding pendant light and small wood bedside table.

Modern white bedroom with gray headboard small desk and potted plants.

White minimalist bedroom with gray platform bed pendant lights and plaid blanket. — tirikumba/Instagram

Minimalist bedroom with low platform bed black pendant lights and gray accent wall.

Contemporary bedroom with framed wall art black pendant lights and gray bedding.

9. Enhancing Your Reading Nook

If you love to read in bed or have a reading chair in your bedroom, you need task lighting specifically for reading. If you try to read in a poorly lit environment, you’ll suffer from eye strain. You want a light that’s bright enough to illuminate the pages of your book or the screen of your device.

Most bedroom lamps meant for your bedside table are perfect for this. You could also use an adjustable floor lamp to shine exactly where you need it. There are even some bedroom lights that you can mount directly to your headboard.

Bedroom with oar headboard plaid pillows wall-mounted reading lamps and neutral bedding. — etchinteriors/Instagram

Minimalist bedroom with large window floor mirror reading lamps and potted plants.

Modern bedroom with framed wall art ceiling fan and adjustable reading lamps.

Modern bedroom with black upholstered headboard gold wall sconce and wood nightstand.

10. Blending Rustic and Industrial Styles

If you have a farmhouse-inspired bedroom, then you’ll want to choose a rustic lighting fixture. Look for one that uses reclaimed or worn wood. It could then have wrought iron holding it together. Another option is to find vintage candle lanterns and turn them into ceiling lamps. You could have them wired for electricity and then string several from the ceiling for an eclectic look that blends perfectly with your farmhouse decor.

If you have an industrial light fixture, you have a statement piece. These ceiling fixtures use wood, metal pipe, mesh, and Edison bulbs to create some truly stunning art pieces. If you find one that uses copper, you can add some warmth to your bedroom with this richly colored metal.

Rustic bedroom with wood ceiling large windows candelabra chandelier and seating area.

Two-tone black and white bedroom with four-poster bed candelabra chandelier and seating area.

Modern attic bedroom with skylights candelabra chandelier and photo wall decor.

Rustic bedroom with branch hanging industrial pendant lights over wood headboard.

Luxurious bedroom with tufted bed framed botanical art mirrored walls and ornate chandelier.

Modern minimalist bedroom with pendant lights gray walls and wood floor.

Contemporary black bedroom with upholstered accent wall sputnik chandelier and dome lamps.

11. Artistic Sconces and Wall Lights

Wall sconces are a perfect way to eliminate the bedside lamp while still having a convenient light while in bed. They typically get mounted to the wall in pairs to give your bed visual balance. They’re also smaller than other lamps and only provide you with a small amount of light while lying in bed.

You can match your sconces with the room’s design. They come in everything from streamlined and ultra-modern to rustic and handmade, and everything in between. You can even find nautical-inspired sconces for your beach house.

When choosing your wall sconce, think about its size and placement on the wall in relation to your bed. It needs to be easy to reach and work while also not being too large or bright.

Modern bedroom with bronze wall sconce red curtains and potted plant on window ledge.

Hotel-style bedroom with dark wood paneling patterned bedding and modern wall sconces.

Twin boys bedroom with vintage lockers wall sconces and rustic wood beds. — ranchstylefarmhouse/Instagram

Minimalist bedroom with striped bedding geometric pillow and wall-mounted pendant lights. — keep_things_simple/Instagram

Girly bedroom with black accent wall gallery art gold chandelier and pink bedding. — sears_house_designery/Instagram

Coastal bunk bed room with built-in storage nautical decor and wall-mounted sconces.

Built-in bunk beds with shiplap walls brass wall sconces and cozy bedding.

Modern bedroom with gray walls black wall sconce striped bedding and minimalistic art.

Modern bedroom with dark accent wall abstract art and minimalist wall sconces.

Modern bedroom with wood accent wall black wall sconces and ocean-view balcony.

Elegant bedroom with oversized wall-mounted sconces neutral bedding and paneled walls.

Rustic bedroom with leather bed frame log slice flooring and reclaimed wood walls.

12. Table Lamps as Functional and Decorative Options

If you aren’t ready to commit to mounting lights on the wall, then stick with table lamps for your bedside lighting. These lamps range in size from a small desk lamp to a large table lamp. The size you choose will depend on the scale of your furniture and the room. You want the lamp to look balanced when on the table.

There are two things to consider when choosing your table lamps; the base and the shade. The base is the lamp’s body, and the shade is the cloth cover that goes over the bulb. Most shades are plain colors, but you can get creative and find ones with a pattern or decoration.

The base should blend with the rest of your decor. It could look industrial with a mesh body or be a single pipe. A more rustic touch could include something made from reclaimed wood or a piece with a custom carving. If you’re looking to add glamour, you could choose something with gold or crystal accents.

Modern bedroom with tufted white headboard wood wardrobe and crystal bedside lamp.

Elegant bedside with silver lamp mirrored nightstand and upholstered headboard.

Traditional bedroom with wood bed patterned bedding tray ceiling and ceiling fan.

Modern bedroom with built-in wardrobe black bedside lamps and cityscape wall art.

Modern bedroom with wood bed frame, tropical decor, and shutters.

Large bedroom with wood furnishings, framed wall art, and warm bedside lamps.

Baseball-themed bedroom with wood panel wall, sports decor, and Adidas bag on bed. — woodsidehomescentralcal/Instagram

Minimalist beige bedroom with soft lighting, sheer curtains, and wooden nightstand.

Modern bedroom with exposed brick wall, pendant lighting, and plush bedding.

Luxurious bedroom with tufted headboard, black lamps, and fur throw on bed.

Modern gray bedroom with striped pillows, textured lamps, and leaf-inspired wall art.

FAQs

What lighting is best for bedrooms?

If you’re looking for an all-around well-lit room, you want to focus on ambient light—something best achieved with a ceiling fixture. If you have an area that requires task lighting, use a table lamp, floor lamp, or wall sconce. If you have design elements that you want to highlight or specific features you want to draw attention to, accent lighting is best.

Is LED light good for the bedroom?

LED lights are a smart choice for any room in your house. LED bulbs are the longest-lasting, most durable, and most energy-efficient. They also come in a broad range of brightness levels and light temperatures, allowing you to choose the perfect light for your bedroom.

How big should a bedroom light be?

There’s a rule-of-thumb equation for this question. Start by measuring your room’s length and width. Add those two values together, then convert the sum to inches. That value represents the size of the lighting fixture you should choose.

For example, a 10 by 12-foot room would have a sum of 22 feet. To match a lighting fixture to this room, choose one 22 inches in diameter.