fbpx

How to Light a Bedroom Without Overhead Lighting [7 Options]

Did you know that the National Sleep Foundation recommends keeping a bedroom dark and cool for the best sleep?

That’s why many people choose to install alternatives to overhead lighting in their bedrooms – these alternatives can provide a bright, comfortable atmosphere for sleeping, while at the same time not overpowering the room with light.

But you may be thinking, how do you light a bedroom without overhead lighting? What are the alternatives? 

Don’t worry – there are plenty of other ways to light your bedroom than overhead lighting. Let’s take a look!

Lamps

You can place lamps on nightstands, dressers, or even the floor. Just make sure that the bulbs are not too bright and that they are covered so that the light is not directly in your eyes.

To get the most light from your lamps, use higher wattage bulbs and place them in areas where you need the most light, such as by the bed or in a reading nook. You can also buy specialty bulbs that emit more light than standard bulbs.

At Cavelights we have a large range of both table lamps and floor lamps, so you can choose the perfect light fixture for your home.

Floor lamps

Floor lamps are a great option for providing ambient light in your bedroom. You can position them in corners or near reading chairs to create a cozy nook for relaxing or reading. Just make sure the lampshade is wide enough to cast a warm, even glow.

A great benefit of floor lamps is that, as well as providing light for your room, they are also design fixtures in and of themselves. This means you can really make a statement with your choice of floor lamp.

Cavelights Recommendation: Minimalist Bird Floor Lamp

Table lamps

Your bedside table isn’t just a place to set your alarm clock and store your nighttime reading material. It’s also an excellent spot to add some extra lighting to your bedroom. Table lamps come in all shapes, sizes, and styles, so you’re sure to find one that fits your bedroom’s decor.

Some styles in particular you should look at are novelty lampsbankers lamps, and Nordic lamps.

Cavelights Recommendation: Modern Glass Globe Table Lamp

Wall Lights

Wall lights are a great way to add light to your bedroom, without having to look for overhead lighting options. One of the beauties of wall lights is that they are available in many different styles, from Nordic and Scandinavian to Industrial and antique.

Also, because wall light fixtures tend to be quite small, you can comfortably place a few in a standard sized bedroom, which allows you to really bring your bedroom to life with the styling options you go for.

For lighting ideas for smaller bedrooms, read this guide.

Cavelights Recommendation: Nordic LED Pole Light

String Lights

String lights are a great way to add some extra light to your bedroom without resorting to overhead lighting. They can be used to accentuate architectural features, add a touch of warmth, or simply provide some extra light for reading or other activities.

Plus, they’re relatively inexpensive and easy to find. You can find string lights just about anywhere, from big box stores to online retailers.

There are many ways to light up your bedroom in style using string lights, so find a way that resonates best with you. Our personal favourite is to have the string lights working their way up the corner of the room, like in the image below.

string lights in corner of bedroom

LED Strip Lights

LED strip lights are quickly gaining in popularity as a styling option for home lighting, and it’s easy to see why. Not only can LED strip lighting look gorgeous when done right, but they’re also so versatile – there really are endless possibilities in how to light up your bedroom when using LED strip lights.

Our personal favourite way is to place the LED strips along the frame of your bed, creating a warm, inviting glow in the most important part of your bedroom.

Cavelights Recommendation: LED Strip Light

Fireplace

If you have a fireplace in your bedroom, you can use it to provide both ambient and task lighting. Just make sure to keep the flames low so that they do not bother you while you are trying to sleep.

fireplace in bedroom

Bonus Option: Candles

Candles can provide a warm, inviting atmosphere and can be used for both ambient lighting and task lighting. If you are using candles for ambient lighting, make sure to use unscented candles so that the scent does not bother you while you are trying to sleep.

The best candles for providing light are pillar candles, tapers, and tea lights. Place them around the room in areas where you need extra light, such as by the bed or in a corner of the room.

The Bottom Line

To sum it all up, there are plenty of ways to light your bedroom without overhead lighting. Just get creative and experiment with different types of lighting until you find the perfect combination for your needs.

And don’t forget – the best way to get a good night’s sleep is to keep your bedroom dark and cool, so avoid using any bright lights in your bedroom if you can!

Related Posts

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.