13 bedroom lighting ideas for a calming retreat
By Ellie Reeves | 17th March 2025 | 7 min read
From vintage charm to modern minimalism, bedroom lighting can set the tone for your entire space. Explore these bedroom lighting ideas to match your aesthetic. We’ll help you harness the power of lighting and transform your bedroom into a calming retreat (at the flick of a switch).
1. Install wall lights besides your bed
For dedicated bookworms, installing a swing-arm wall light besides the bed is a real game-changer. These adjustable lights put the power in your hands. With a gentle swing, you can light up your book or magazine, perfect for all your late-night reading sessions. No more scrambling for your table lamp, or squinting in the dark! And most importantly, no more disturbing your partner sleeping peacefully next to you.
2. Layer your lighting
Modern bedrooms embrace the art of layered lighting. We're waving goodbye to single, harsh overhead lights. Instead, the focus is on creating an inviting ambience with a combination of fixtures. Create a soft overall glow with ceiling pendant lights. Add a touch of focused light with a bedside table lamp. Then, for a truly magical touch, drape twinkling fairy lights. Layering your lighting allows you to transform the space into a cosy sanctuary.
3. New trend alert: confetti glass
Confetti glass seems to be everywhere at the moment. Whether it’s drinkware, vases, or light fittings – this totally on-trend style can create a playful effect in your home décor. Confetti glass is typically clear or frosted glass with white or coloured flecks resembling confetti. If you like to keep up with the latest trends, decorate your bedroom with confetti glass lights!
4. Low-hanging pendant lights
Crave a bedside light but lack the surface space for a table lamp, or simply dislike the look of wall lights? Low-hanging pendant lights are a stylish solution. These lights, suspended from the ceiling, cast a warm glow directly onto your bedside table. Consider sleek glass globes for a modern touch, woven shades for a bohemian vibe, or metal cages for an industrial aesthetic.
5. Transform your wall lights with paint
Elevate your bedroom lighting into a design statement. Instead of simply mounting wall lights, paint a striking backdrop to make them the focal point. Here, two sleek black sconces border the bed, their impact amplified by the bold blue circle painted above the headboard. Transforming functional lighting into a unique art piece!
Top tip: Think about light colour temperature
Light temperature can make a huge difference to the overall ambience in your bedroom. Choose warmer tones to promote relaxation. Cooler tones, like white and blue, are better for tasks like reading or putting on makeup.
6. Create a bedside glow with a table lamp
No bedroom is complete without a classic bedside table lamp. They provide warm, targeted lighting, perfect for reading your favourite book before bed. Choose lamps with adjustable bases or dimmer switches for ultimate control. And consider the shade type: fabric diffuses light for a softer feel, while glass or metal can add a touch of modern flair.
7. Make your life easier with a switch besides your bed
You’re curled up in bed, lost in a great book, and then before you know it, it’s time to sleep. The last thing you want to do is crawl out of that cosy spot to turn off the light – right? With a light switch installed besides your bed, you won’t need to trek across your bedroom! You can simply turn off the lights without ever leaving your warm cocoon.
8. Cluster pendant lights together in odd numbers
Our brains tend to find things arranged in odd numbers more visually pleasing than even numbers. A cluster of pendants, typically in threes or fives, creates a balanced and harmonious look in your bedroom. We’ve got plenty of cluster pendants to choose from in a variety of styles and finishes, or you could create your own unique look and hang singular pendants together.
9. Use exposed bulbs for an industrial look
For an industrial edge, consider the raw beauty of exposed filament bulbs. Ditch the lampshades and let these glowing orbs dangle from the ceiling. In a minimalist bedroom like this one, a single exposed bulb creates a relaxed and effortless ambience, perfectly complementing the uncluttered space.
10. Control your lighting with smart bulbs
With smart bulbs you can adjust the colour temperature and brightness of your bedroom lighting. Dim the lights to a warm, relaxing glow for relaxing in the evenings, or schedule them to gradually brighten as you wake up, mimicking a sunrise for a more natural, gentle awakening.
11. Hang string lights for a magical ambience
Create a touch of magic in your bedroom with string lights. Peg fairy lights, with their tiny clips, are a wonderful choice. String them along the wall above your headboard or drape them across a shelf or window. The little clips allow you to personalise your space by hanging treasured photos, polaroids, postcards, or keepsakes collected on your travels. Imagine your favourite memories twinkling alongside the fairy lights, creating a warm atmosphere that reflects your unique personality.
12. Go bold with a sputnik chandelier
For a bedroom that embraces bold statements, consider an industrial sputnik chandelier. These mid-century modern fixtures, with their spidery arms reaching outwards, add a touch of edgy glamour to your bedroom. We love the style used in this bedroom. The exposed bulbs finished in antique brass complement the raw materials often used in industrial design. While a sputnik might seem unconventional in a bedroom, its surprising versatility allows it to work beautifully in a space designed for relaxation.
13. Create a soft glow with a dimmer switch
With a gentle touch, you can dial down the harsh, bright light, replacing it with a soft, inviting glow. A dimmer switch puts you in control, allowing you to adjust the light level to suit your exact needs, whether it's for reading, relaxing, or simply creating a calming ambience.
