A cozy bedroom and restful sleep require the right lighting concept. In this post, we provide various tips for lighting planning to make the bedroom a place of relaxation and recuperation.

Basic Rules for Bedroom Lighting

• Bedroom lighting is divided into general lighting, lighting for light islands, and indirect lighting.
• Depending on the time of day, a different luminous flux and a different light color should be chosen.
• Adjustable lighting and smart home-capable lighting allow for the right lighting conditions in the bedroom, depending on the requirements.

Bedroom Lighting Must Serve Various Purposes

Bedroom lighting is not just for finding your way to bed. The bedroom is a multifunctional space where, for example, a wardrobe or a makeup mirror might be located. Those who want to read a little before sleeping also need the appropriate lighting.

For this reason, it is important to apply a lighting concept for the bedroom that meets the requirements and is composed of various components and light sources:

• General lighting
• Light islands for specific areas in the bedroom
• Indirect lighting.

The various lighting sources should be combined into a coherent lighting concept according to individual needs.

General Lighting in the Bedroom

The general lighting in the bedroom forms the basis of the lighting concept and ensures room lighting in the area. Usually, ceiling lighting takes on this task. For example, LED panels or recessed spotlights are suitable for this. In rooms with higher ceilings, a chandelier or a pendant light can also provide pleasant light in the bedroom.

Highly recommended for general lighting in the bedroom is a dimmer with remote control. In this way, the appropriate strength of the light flow can be set depending on the time of day. Brighter light is sensible in the morning for waking up, while the light in the evening before sleeping should not be too bright to avoid disturbing the sleep rhythm. As a guideline, experts recommend between 100 and 140 lumens per square meter in the bedroom.

Also important is the color temperature of the light, which is given in Kelvin. The color temperature has a direct influence on our body, mood, and internal clock. Here, a distinction is made between warm white, neutral white, and daylight white light. Warm white or orange light has a relaxing effect and can help prepare for sleep. Daylight white light, on the other hand, keeps awake or helps in waking up.

Especially in the dark season, daylight white light of around 5,000 Kelvin is advisable in the morning. In the evening, on the other hand, warmer light around 3,000 Kelvin should be used. There are various lamps and light sources where the color temperature can be changed. This is also referred to as "Tunable White".

Especially popular for a relaxing ambiance in the bedroom are lights with amber or amber-colored glasses and bulbs.

Light Islands in the Bedroom

Those who like to read a book in bed before sleeping need the right lighting for this. The same applies to the dressing area. Ceiling light alone is not enough - additional light on the bedside table and at the wardrobe are specifically intended for this purpose.

Bedside Lamp for Reading

There is a wide range of suitable lamps for the bedside table. Those who have less space next to the bed can also opt for a wall lamp. Such lamps often have the advantage of requiring little space and can also be used for beds placed in the corner of the room.

The light of the reading lamp should be bright enough and have a neutral white light color to avoid straining the eyes unnecessarily. For the luminous flux, 350 to 400 lumens are recommended. For the bedside lamp, the same applies: If the light is too bright and too cold, it can lead to difficulties in falling asleep later, as the light then has a stimulating effect. There is a wide selection of bedside lamps in various designs.

Additional Lighting for the Wardrobe

For the wardrobe, for example, spots on a rail system or integrated lighting in the wardrobe are suitable. For lights mounted outside the wardrobe, sufficient distance from the wardrobe should be ensured so that extendable drawers are also illuminated.

For larger bedrooms, floor lamps or uplighters are also suitable, which can be placed between the mirror and the wardrobe, thus offering space for various design ideas.

Indirect Light Adds Additional Coziness

Indirect lighting in the bedroom, which is spread by, for example, LED strips on furniture, gives the light in the bedroom a particularly cozy character.

And even for those who do not have bedroom furniture with built-in lighting, there are ways to set up indirect light. For this purpose, self-adhesive LED strips are suitable, for example.

Smart Home-Capable Lights

With smart home-capable lights, you can easily control the lighting in your bedroom from your smartphone or tablet. This allows for various functions such as adjusting brightness and light color, programming timers, and even synchronization with a wake-up alarm. The light can be set so that it acts like a sunrise and gently wakes you up.

Smart home-capable lamps can help make the bedroom a cozier and more relaxing place. By precisely tailoring the light to individual needs, it creates a relaxing atmosphere that promotes good sleep. Try it out and see for yourself how much a little light control can do!