Your bedroom is the place where you relax the most, but it can be challenging to get it perfect. If your bedroom is feeling less and less like a special sanctuary and you are not sure how to transform it into a bright and welcoming space, don’t worry because we have got you covered. Cool, calm vibes can be on the card with these top lighting tips for creating a cosy and relaxing bedroom.
Tip #1 – Upgrade to LED lighting
LED light bulbs have many advantages over the traditional incandescent bulbs, so it’s about time you upgrade to LED lighting. Some of the main advantages of using LED lighting in the bedroom are:
- Flexibility in design
LED lights offer far more flexibility than incandescent light. For example, you can use LED strip lights in different functional and decorative applications like for closet lighting or under the bed. You can also use them as cove lighting, behind the bed headboard, or under the shelves.
- Energy efficient
When it comes to energy efficiency, incandescent bulbs can’t hold a candle to LED lighting (pun intended). LEDs consume only a small fraction of the electricity required to operate incandescent and other types of lights.
- Long lasting
LED bulbs can easily last 20-25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. So if the idea of changing bedroom bulbs every few months doesn’t sound appealing, consider switching to LED lighting.
- Safe to use
With LED light bulbs, you don’t need to worry about burnt fingers when replacing them! That’s because they only release 20% heat energy, which allows them to operate at lower temperature. Because LED light bulbs emit far less heat energy than incandescent bulbs, they greatly reduce the risk of a house fire. In addition, LED light bulbs are safe and easy to dispose. You can safely throw them away in a trash as they don’t contain mercury. LED light bulbs are not regarded as hazardous waste because the amount of toxins they contain are minute.
- Provide superior control
Smart LED light bulbs can be customized, scheduled, and controlled remotely. They give you the full flexibility to adjust colour temperature, brightness level, and more via a mobile app or with your voice (when paired with Amazon Alexa or Google Home).
Tip #2 – Colour Temperature Matters
Your bedroom should be the central hub of relaxation in your home. Picking the right colour temperature that perfectly aligns with your aesthetic and purpose can go a long way in transforming the bedroom into a cosy, relaxing sanctuary.
So, what is the right colour temperature for bedroom lighting?
Colour temperature is measured in Kelvin (K) and describe the spectrum of light that a light source emits. For the bedroom, consider using LED light bulbs in the 2700 to 3000K colour temperature range.
Warmer temperature (i.e. colour temperature in the range of 2,700 – 3,000K) are ideal for creating a relaxing ambience since they mimic the soft glow of sunset or incandescent light. Light emitted by such LED light bulbs is very gentle on the eyes and hence is perfect for winding down before bed.
Cool white LED lights (colour temperature between 3100K and 4500K), in contrast, provide a crisp and bright illumination. You can use them for task lighting in the bedroom, e.g. reading or writing. However, it’s important you balance white LED lights with warmer tones to ensure your bedroom has the cosiness of a personal sanctuary.
We also recommend you to go with dimmable LED lights. As the name suggests, these light bulbs are versatile and can be used for more than one purpose. Dimming the lighting can help create a relaxing ambience, perfect for unwinding after a busy day.
If you indeed decide to opt for dimmable LED light bulbs, make sure you use the right dimmer. While dimmable LED light bulbs are compatible with most incandescent dimmers, for the best results consider using LED dimmers.
Tip #3 – Consider your bedroom’s style and colour scheme
Expert interior designers suggest matching the light colour with your bedroom’s current style and colour scheme. For instance, if your bedroom has earthy tones, a warm light is likely to best complement it. On the other hand, a minimalist, modern bedroom having blue and white tones may look better with a cool light.
Tip #4 – Stylish LED floor lamps are a worthy addition
If you like to unwind from work after a tiring day by reading a book, there’s no way you can give stylish LED floor lamps a miss. Besides creating a cosy atmosphere, floor lamps are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Even if reading is not your thing, your bedroom can look more nicely organized thanks to well-placed floor lamps.
Tip #5 – Soft ambient lighting creates cosy atmosphere
Subtle ambient lighting is a great way to create soft and gentle light in your bedroom. For instance, if your bedroom has curtains, you can add LED strip lights to create a cosy atmosphere.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Select a warm-coloured LED
- Place the LED above the window, but make sure a valance above the curtain rod conceals it completely
- Opt for neutral-colour curtains (e.g. off-white or grey). This way the LED strip light will direct the focus the brightness of your window, creating a relaxing and cosy atmosphere
Tip # 6 – Opt for TV backlights
Many people prefer watching TV before bed to wind down instead of reading or listening to music. Are you one of them? If so, why not use LED TV backlights and light bars to enhance the visuals and create an immersive experience, while reducing eye fatigue?
TV backlights offer many benefits, such as:
- Improving overall viewing experience
- Reducing eye strain
- Enhancing perceived contrast
And the best part? TV backlights are quite affordable and simple to install. If you like the idea of improving your TV viewing experience, they are certainly worth the cost.
Tip #8 – Accent lighting can help create the right ambience
Layered lighting is the key to create a versatile and comfortable ambience in your bedroom. Accent lighting is one of the main aspects of layered lighting and is used for accenting high points of your space or creating a mood in a space. You can use it to highlight bookshelves, artifacts, pictures, or plants.