Jane Fitch Interiors - Interior Designer and Project Manager zooming around London and the South East of England, injecting colour and personality into your home
  • Home
  • Services
  • Interior Design
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Portfolio
Jane Fitch Interiors - Interior Designer and Project Manager zooming around London and the South East of England, injecting colour and personality into your home
Home
Services
Interior Design
Blog
Contact
Portfolio
  • Home
  • Services
  • Interior Design
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Portfolio
bedroom, Lighting

6 Top Tips for Bedroom Lighting Design

Bedroom lighting design table lamp and spotlights

images: houseandgarden.co.uk and carlaston.com

  • What does the ideal bedroom lighting design look like?
  • How many lights should I have in my bedroom?
  • Can I use downlights on a dimmer switch to create mood and task lighting?
  • How expensive will it be to rewire my bedroom?
  • How can I create the right atmosphere?
  • What’s the best way to light the bedroom?
  • Are there any lights I shouldn’t use

These are some of the questions I get asked by my clients.

When I grew up, bedroom lighting consisted of a central pendant light and a desk or bedside lamp if you were lucky. Is this sufficient lighting for a bedroom?

In some circumstances it might be. But how do you know what’s right for you and what your needs are?

I think there’s some common questions you can ask yourself and I’ve covered these in my top tips. Let’s see if we can create the perfect bedroom lighting design?

  • Assess the space.
assess the space bedroom lighting

images: homeedit.com and blogthedpages.com

What does this mean?

Quite simply, what do you use the bedroom for? It’s not a silly question. People don’t just sleep in their bedrooms. People do all sorts of things? Read, work (it maybe the only space available for their work desk), dress, romancing (sounds old fashioned – like courting but I mean having a bit of rumpy pumpy (I’m just like Miranda – I can’t say the word s%x), meet with friends (I’m thinking teenagers as I don’t often invite my friends to my bedroom – unless I’m showing them my newly painted black walls!).

Once you’ve assessed the space – you will understand what you need light for. For example, the average woman would need to sleep in there, read at night before bed, get changed and put makeup on. That’s 4 different things to do. Ideally you should have task lighting (for changing), an overhead pendant, which is dimmable for general lighting and mood lighting, or when I’m romancing!!, adjustable desk lamp for makeup application (on soft focus setting of course) and bedside lights for reading. Sound too much? Not if you want to do all of those things properly in your bedroom it isn’t. The right light makes me effective in the bedroom – if you know what I mean!

  • Right lighting design for right task. For example, if you have mirrors in the bedroom, ensure they are well lit with flattering lights.
right bedroom lighting design

Images: marieclairemaison.com and momtastic.com

You understand this – yes? How many people have got ready for work in a poorly lit room – looked in the mirror and thought – it looks ok (I know I definitely have). You get to work and go to your brightly lit washroom. Your top has not been ironed (yep – that was me too). You have some baby sick on your shoulder that didn’t wash out (Yep – in the past this has been me also). You’ve got odd socks on – or odd shoes – I have seen this (not me this time – phew!)

You are not feeling confident as a result – all because of poor lighting in your bedroom. SORT IT OUT. This is similar to the first point – but this addresses the first point with using the correct lighting source for the task.

  • Install a dimmer switch.

2gang dimmer bedroom lighting bedroom lighting dimmer

I read an article by Sally Storey, Creative Director of John Cullen Lighting. This is one of her top tips in household lighting and seriously it’s a simple game changer. BUT research before you go out and buy a dimmer switch – common problems that I’ve encountered:-

  1. The back box for dimmer switch often needs to be bigger than standard back boxes. Check what you have before buying a dimmer. When I say check, you may want to call an electrican at this point unless you are handy with electrics and careful – i.e. switch of the power to the switch before unscrewing anything.
  2. Are the lights that you currently have installed – dimmable? If not – can might just need to change the bulbs or worse case scenario, you have to change the fitting? If you’re unsure – ask your sparky whilst he’s checking your back box!! Oh dear, that sounds a bit dodgy – doesn’t it.
  • Layer your lighting.
layered bedroom lighting design

Images: AbigailAherne.com and domainehome.com

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? I hear you cry. This is where you create different lighting effects with different types of light. You might have a mixture of lighting sources from downlights to wall lights to pendants to table lights. Can you have too many lights in a room – nah. Not according to Abigail Aherne who has 18 different lights on the lower ground floor of her house.

  • Don’t put all your lighting on one switch.

This is a bit obvious. But if you have a pendant and then wall lights on the same switch – then you’re not going to have a great lighting experience. If you have 3 lighting circuits, i.e. one central decorative pendant, wall lights either side of the bed and niche lights (highlighting a decorative are) on a dimmer, then you can create 6 different environments.

  • Introduce decorative lighting for wow factor
decorative bedroom lighting design

images: mommodesign.com and boweryhouse.org

This could be in the form of a decorative chandelier, some fairy lights, dramatic bedside lights. Let your imagination run wild and see what you can create.

The tips don’t stop there – but it’s a start. Lighting design can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. If you’re just delving into it. Keep it simple. If you’re going through a house or room refurbishment and you’re not sure how to go about changing your lighting, then please drop me a line.

Hope it’s been insightful, feel free to leave a comment below if you have any more questions or comments.

The next blog will be looking at LED strip lights. How and when to install. The pros and cons and what I’ve done wrong on installation – so that you don’t fall into the same trap. If you want to see this post – please subscribe and you’ll get an early heads up as soon as it’s posted. If you have any specific questions you want answering about lights, again, drop me an email an I will respond immediately.

cheerio (for now). xx

 

28th December 2015by Jane

Have a peak at my Instagram

 Some of my favourite hangouts are craft beer bars, which is crazy as I don't generally drink beer! (Notice the wino glass there). But I love the simple and rustic interiors, plus all the chatter, I don't particularly like the looks I get when I ask for a glass of wine though! Ah well. You can't have everything. @otherhalfnyc  The Crosby Street hotel in NYC is an interior designers dream location. Pity I couldn't have slipped into one of the bedrooms for a sneak peak. In other news, we are having a little break from NYC today and heading in later to see the city by night with trip up the rockafella centre. Sorry for those of you who are bored of my NYC spam but I've never been here before and well, it's an amazing city with so much to see and do, it's just fitting it all in that's the problem. Plus today I'm reunited with my other half @littlemonsterbrew who's been living it up in Atlanta and brewing some excellent beers in preparation for setting up his own brewery business back in the UK. Catch you later peeps.  #wheretogoinnyc #crosbystreethotel #firmdalehotels #kitkemp @firmdale_hotels #interiordesign #ig_captures #interior_design #interior_and_living #lights #pendantlights #glasslighting
 I woke up this morning to one of my most hated smells! Okay, lying on bed next to my other half, I know what you're thinking! But no, it's not that. It's an over ripe banana. I took the handy little sugary snack out of my bag a couple of days ago and forgot about it Now I remember it. Anyone else hate this smell or is it just me? BTW sitting room at Crosby Street hotel @firmdale_hotels . #crosbystreethotel #newyork #interiordesign #ig_captures #interiors #newyorkcity  This is the drawing room at The Crosby Street Hotel. Every detail in this hotel is just perfect. No words. I'm in heaven. Check out my stories for more images and videos. @firmdale_hotels #crosbystreethotel #firmdalehotels #kitkemp #boutiquehotel #interiordesign
TAP

Archives

  • October 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • October 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015

Sign Up for new posts/ giveaways

Recent Posts

  • My eco friendly summerhouse
  • Perfect bathroom mirror search
  • 20 facts about my bespoke kitchen renovation on a budget
  • Ten Cool Cushions for under a tenner from our High Street Heroes
  • What’s wrong with faking it?

Recent Comments

    Archives

    • October 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • October 2016
    • February 2016
    • January 2016
    • December 2015
    • November 2015
    • May 2015
    • April 2015
    FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM
    janefitchinteriors
     Some of my favourite hangouts are craft beer bars, which is crazy as I don't generally drink beer! (Notice the wino glass there). But I love the simple and rustic interiors, plus all the chatter, I don't particularly like the looks I get when I ask for a glass of wine though! Ah well. You can't have everything. @otherhalfnyc  I woke up this morning to one of my most hated smells! Okay, lying on bed next to my other half, I know what you're thinking! But no, it's not that. It's an over ripe banana. I took the handy little sugary snack out of my bag a couple of days ago and forgot about it Now I remember it. Anyone else hate this smell or is it just me? BTW sitting room at Crosby Street hotel @firmdale_hotels . #crosbystreethotel #newyork #interiordesign #ig_captures #interiors #newyorkcity  The Crosby Street hotel in NYC is an interior designers dream location. Pity I couldn't have slipped into one of the bedrooms for a sneak peak. In other news, we are having a little break from NYC today and heading in later to see the city by night with trip up the rockafella centre. Sorry for those of you who are bored of my NYC spam but I've never been here before and well, it's an amazing city with so much to see and do, it's just fitting it all in that's the problem. Plus today I'm reunited with my other half @littlemonsterbrew who's been living it up in Atlanta and brewing some excellent beers in preparation for setting up his own brewery business back in the UK. Catch you later peeps.  #wheretogoinnyc #crosbystreethotel #firmdalehotels #kitkemp @firmdale_hotels #interiordesign #ig_captures #interior_design #interior_and_living #lights #pendantlights #glasslighting  This is the drawing room at The Crosby Street Hotel. Every detail in this hotel is just perfect. No words. I'm in heaven. Check out my stories for more images and videos. @firmdale_hotels #crosbystreethotel #firmdalehotels #kitkemp #boutiquehotel #interiordesign  I've got a few projects which I've completed but never included photos of. Ok, so the main reason for that is that my clients actually live in the space and don't always appreciate me decluttering their life for a photo. Strange that! Anyway, here's a snippet of a recently completed project in Richmond. The house had a neutral palette throughout but some really interesting features, such as these lights, we're added to give a stylish finish.  . #kitchendiner #glasslighting #glasspendantlights #apartmenttherapy #elledecor #kitchen #myhomevibe #kitcheninspo #lighting #pendantlights #featurelighting #lawofthree #interior123 #interior4all #interiordesign #designerkitchen #eshomesproperty #stellarspaces #lightingdesign #ekbbhome #dininginspo  So this is the oculus at the World Trade Centre in NYC. It's a train station,a shopping mall (expensive) and a massive expanse of open space. It only opened in 2016 but it's quite mind blowing when you're inside. Anyway,just thought you'd wanna know........... Cheerio #wtc #nyc #oculus #notaninteriorshot #wheretogoinnyc #madeinny #newyork #cityphotography #ig_captures #theoculus  Funny isn't it, when you're at home you want to get away, on holiday, you need that change, to refresh, recharge and relax. But then when you're away, you miss home, your little pooch, home comforts. But when you get home, back to your little security blanket, you hanker (great word BTW) to be back on holiday again. Or is that just me! Anyway, I'm having a great time in NYC but missing this little fella. Have a lovely weekend. 🤘 #mybeautifulmess #myhomevibe #ehdweekendmakeover #ekbbhome #howivintage #styleithappy #happyhome #ihavethisthingwithkitchens #apartmenttherapy #elledecor #kitchenstuff #kitchenstyle #kitcheninspiration #hem_inspiration #dream_interiors #passion4interiors #homebeautiful #pocketofmyhome #finditstyleit  Here's a glimpse at another project not quite complete, but we've got wallpaper in this one, controversial! A bespoke vanity unit is going in here, but for now, a B&Q kitchen unit has been installed. Since I've been there, 2nd fix of plumbing has been done including "floating radiator bars", you can see the copper pipes sticking out. Anyway, let me know if you'd prefer to see my projects on my feed or on my stories! Thank you so much for looking. 🤘 #bathroom #bathroomdecor #wallpaperbathroom #bathroomwallpaper #bathroomtiles #designerbathroom #interior123 #interior4all #interiordesign #designerbedroom #ihavethisthingwithwallpaper

    Thanks for looking, and if you are as Interiors Obsessed as me, let me know if there's anything you would like me to cover in my blog. 

    Copyright Jane Fitch Interiors 2017
    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
    Privacy & Cookies Policy