The bedroom asks more of its lighting than any other room in the house; requiring enough light to be able to get dressed in the morning, and soft enough light to encourage winding down at night. For avid readers, there needs to be enough light to enjoy at least a few pages before falling asleep, and for others, bedroom lighting must not (at all costs) involve any big, overhead cool-toned lights.
Ambient bedroom lighting can be so much more than using bedside lamps - if you’re renovating or simply preparing for a cosmetic upgrade, bedroom lighting can be layered from the top down. Choosing lighting fixtures is also a chance to express creativity, personality, and add some Je ne sais quoi to the bedroom.
Beyond aesthetics, lighting can invariably affect mood, sleep, and motivation. And given we spend more time in the bedroom than any other space in the house, getting bedroom lighting right is just as much a functional consideration as a design one.
Here are our seven favourite lighting ideas for the bedroom, curated by our lighting consultants at Nook Collections.
1.Bedside Pendants
We’re here to make the case for abandoning the traditional bedside table lamps. Don’t get us wrong - lamps are ideal in the bedroom, but pendant lights carefully and selectively hung either side of the bed will free up surface area, bring in soft light from above, and add a hotel-like ambience.
Here are some of our favourite pendants ideal for the bedroom:
Available in large and medium options, the organic white pendant light is a captivating suspension light and would make for a stunning bedside pendant.
Image: Organic White Pendant Light
Inspired by traditional lantern designs, the metallic black and white opal glass blends seamlessly with contemporary and modern mid-century interiors.
Image: Globo Cesta Pendant Light
Simplistic, and yet, exquisite. Bring Onyx stone into the bedroom, with different metal finishes available for different bedroom aesthetics.
Image: Aurelia Pendant Light
2. Dimmable Wall Lights
Whether large or small, carefully placed wall lights can make a huge difference in creating a luxurious, spacious-feeling bedroom. Wall lights take away from the need for one large ceiling light, and create an opportunity to emit a soft glow along the walls leading to the bed, dressing area, or upon entry.
Choosing a light fixture that is also dimmable will also level up the layered lighting in the room for different functions.
Individually mouth-blown glass globes available in a variety of fun colours including transparent, grey, sand, plum, sage, and sky.
Image: Vintage Wall Light
A timeless lighting design that is shaped like a delicate flower that can be faced up or down, depending on the space.
Image: Otis Wall Light
3.Statement Sculptural Lighting
At Nook Collections, we love nothing more than a statement. Having worked with some of the best Australian and international lighting designers, we’re constantly in awe of the innovations and creative designs that we get to share with our clients. And the bedroom is the one room in the house where you can be purely expressive with lighting. Our favourite idea for bedroom lighting? Sculptural, wholly artistic pieces that are chosen purely for expression.
Take the Coral Duo Wall Light, for example - a design from Soktas, the light is crafted from hand-blow glass inspired by the natural textures of coral; no two pieces are the same. On a bare wall, it works as much as an artwork as it does for illumination.
Image: Coral Duo Wall Light
The Kelly Cluster is another unique, statement fixture that when on, emits a gentle ambient glow. Crafted from a blend of metal and glass materials, the light filters through for the perfect bedroom ambience. Ideally installed as a cluster for a mesmerising statement in the bedroom.
Image: Kelly Cluster Pendant Light
4.Reading/Bedside Wall Lights
An alternative to a bedside pendant, wall-mounted reading lights offer the same benefits of an uncluttered bedside table, and task lighting on each side of the bed. Bedside wall lights also make a case for convenience too - there’s nothing worse than having to get up to turn the lights off, when you’re already comfortable.
For traditional interiors, available in antique silver of antique brass with a delicate glass cover.
Image: Otto Wall Light
Make your bed the focal point - the Lampe De Marseille is a versatile wall lamp that can be adjusted to light up different areas of the bedroom.
Image: Lampe De Marseille Wall Light
5.Dressing & Vanity Lighting
One of the bedroom lighting considerations that often gets forgotten is creating enough light for dressing. If you have a part of the bedroom that’s dedicated to dressing or getting ready - whether a walk-in robe or a vanity dresser, make sure your bedroom lighting design factors in this area.
Whether placed on an empty wall or either side of a mirror, the Terra range offers the perfect lighting for getting ready in the mornings, and getting unready in the evenings. Terra 00 marries form and function, crafted from ceramic and timber materials.
Image: Terra 00 Wall Light
The Terra 2 Wall Light features two ceramic cylinders connected by a central ring. Emitting light from both ends, this fixture is ideal for creating enough light in one space of the room, without disturbing a sleeping partner.
Image: Terra 2 Wall Light
6.Bedroom Lamps
Of course - lamps still have a place in our hearts (and bedrooms). Despite our earlier remarks around skipping the bedside lamps and opting for either pendants or wall reading lights, the right lamp can do a lot of the heavy lifting in the bedroom. Whether on a dressing table, console, or as a free-standing floor lamp, here are our top designer picks for the bedroom.
The Petra is a beautiful, thoughtfully designed table lamp that deserves to be featured, but can also blend seamlessly into comforting interiors. Crafted entirely from natural alabaster.
Image: Petra Table Lamp
A warm, harmonious floor lamp, ideal for bedroom lighting. The cotton shaded fabric diffuses warm, yellow lighting, perfect for a bedroom corner or next to a statement chair.
Image: Dorica Floor Lamp
7. Decorative Orbs
Layered lighting is the key to bedroom lighting and styling. As you may have gathered from reading so far, we’re of the opinion that a single ceiling light is not enough in the bedroom - without additional layers, it makes the room feel undesigned. Orb lights are the perfect layering addition that also form a design element more than anything - orb lights generally omit a soft glow, diffusing rather than directing light.
A contemporary bedroom lighting choice that offers a soft, layered glow. Depending on the globe chosen, the Orli Alabaster can provide dimming.
Image: Orli Alabaster Wall Light
The Orb Dome Mirror Light is for the minimalists. Crafted from an opal glass dome, the light features a half-sphere shade that blends seamlessly with the wall.
Hand-crafted in Melbourne and featuring natural ceramic materials - the bowl wall light is a crowd favourite and available in different finishes for different bedroom interiors.
Image: Orb Dome Mirror Wall Light
Create Your Bedroom Sanctuary with Light
Transform your bedroom with thoughtfully curated designer lighting from Nook Collections. Explore our bedroom lighting collection online or book a showroom consultation with our lighting specialists to create a space that feels warm, layered, and uniquely yours.
