Everything you need to know about bedroom lamps
Key takeaways:
- A bedroom lamp is a table light fixture, whether a bedside lamp, a decorative lamp or an adjustable lamp, that provides soft light near the bed for reading, relaxing or decorating the room.
- Choose it according to its location: a compact model on the nightstand, a sculptural shape on a dresser, an adjustable head for reading, with adjustable brightness if possible.
- Choose a warm white LED bulb, between 2700 and 3000 K, which gives off little heat near the bed, and check that it is "dimmable" if the lamp has a dimmer.
A bedroom lamp is a table light fixture that you place on a nightstand, a dresser or a desk to have soft light near the bed. Bedroom lamps play an essential role in creating a comfortable and functional atmosphere, and there is one for every need and every decorating style, from the designer bedside lamp to the adjustable reading lamp.
This guide helps you choose the light fixtures best suited to your bedroom, from our table lamps as well as from the lighting that complements them, taking into account current trends and the key criteria to know before buying.
Types of bedroom lamps
Bedside lamps
Bedside lamps are designed to be compact and to fit perfectly on a small nightstand. They come in several styles, vintage, industrial or modern in black, and a designer model transforms the atmosphere of the bedroom while providing functional reading light.
Models with integrated LED and a dimmer are particularly practical for adjusting the brightness to your needs. Some bedside lamps are also equipped with a touch control or a flexible arm, which directs the light straight onto your book or magazine.
Decorative table lamps
Placed on a nightstand, a dresser or a console, table lamps create ambient light. They come in a variety of designs, from modern to vintage, with original shapes (globes, mushrooms, sculptural lamps) that give personality to the room, and often a dimmer for customized lighting.
A gold metal lamp, for example, adds a touch of sophistication to your bedroom. These lamps give off direct light, ideal for reading as well as for creating a warm atmosphere, and models with integrated, adjustable LED are recommended for their low energy consumption and longevity.
Adjustable lamps
With their flexible arm or adjustable head, adjustable lamps direct the light onto your book or your work surface without lighting the whole room. They are the desk lamps par excellence, perfect for a workspace set up in the bedroom, and their LED source offers good light output.
A gold metal desk lamp gives this space an elegant and professional look. Models with a brightness dimmer and articulated arms provide flexible lighting that is direct, suited to reading as well as to work.
Main lighting for the bedroom
A table lamp is not enough to light the whole room: on the ceiling, a ceiling light or a pendant light provides the general lighting for the bedroom.
Ceiling lights
A bedroom ceiling light is essential for getting even light throughout the room. LED ceiling lights provide efficient and economical lighting, and models with adjustable brightness make it possible to create different moods depending on the time of day.
A modern black ceiling light adds an elegant and contemporary touch to your interior decor. Models with integrated LED are recommended for their low energy consumption and long life, and their installation should be entrusted to a qualified electrician.
Pendant lights
Pendant lights add an aesthetic dimension to the bedroom while providing efficient lighting. Available in a variety of shapes and materials, such as gold metal and glass, they suit different styles, and a bedroom pendant light with a bold design can become the focal point of the room.
In a modern bedroom, a black or gold metal pendant light, combined with glass elements, gives an elegant and contemporary look, as does a chandelier decorated with glass or crystal. Models with adjustable brightness create a comfortable and personalized atmosphere, and their connection is likewise a job for a qualified electrician.
Accent and decorative lighting
Other light fixtures complement the bedside lamp, for reading in the evening or for adding a decorative point of light in a corner of the bedroom.
Wall sconces
Wall sconces are perfect for evening reading, or for adding a decorative touch. Bedroom sconces with LED and an industrial design are very popular, and they are placed near the bed for directed and practical lighting.
Models with a brightness dimmer allow you to adjust the light to your needs and create an intimate mood. Since a sconce is connected to the electrical mains, its installation should be entrusted to a qualified electrician.
Floor lamps
Floor lamps are an excellent option for ambient lighting. Placed in a corner of the room, a bedroom floor lamp creates a warm atmosphere, and models with a dimmer let you adjust the brightness as you like.
Reading floor lamps with a flexible arm, in gold or black metal, are very handy for getting direct and precise light. Like a table lamp, a floor lamp is simply plugged into an outlet, with no installation work at all.
| Location | Recommended light fixture | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Nightstand | Compact bedside lamp | Bottom of the shade at eye level |
| Dresser or console | Decorative table lamp | Ambient light, warm white bulb |
| Desk corner | Adjustable lamp | Light directed onto the work surface |
| Ceiling and walls | Ceiling light, pendant light or wall sconce | Installation by a qualified electrician |
Selection criteria
Features
When buying a light fixture for the bedroom, it is important to consider the available functions. Preferably look for a lamp with adjustable brightness, because a dimmer makes it possible to create different moods in the room.
For added comfort, some models include USB charging or a touch control, and our cordless lamps can be placed far from any outlet. The functions of each model, such as its exact battery life, are listed on its Lustria product page.
Design and materials
The choice of materials and design is decisive in harmonizing the light fixture with the rest of your decor. Gold metal, frosted or opal glass, ceramic and wood each bring a different style, always elegant.
An opal glass lamp, for example, softens the light, while white, black and gold go with most decors and add a touch of sophistication to the bedroom.
Bulb
LED lamps are recommended for their energy efficiency and long life. Check the bulb's energy class to choose economical lighting, bearing in mind that lamps with integrated LED offer reduced consumption and high-quality light.
For the bedroom, a warm light, between 2700 and 3000 K, creates a soft mood, and LEDs give off little heat, which is essential under a fabric or paper shade. On a lamp with a dimmer, make sure the bulb is marked "dimmable".
Current trends
Smart light fixtures
Smart light fixtures are becoming more and more popular. They are controlled from a smartphone or a remote control, and the lighting can adapt to the time of day.
Combined with a dimmer and a brightness adjustment function, they prove valuable for creating a personalized atmosphere. Not all models offer these functions: the product page indicates whether the lamp can be controlled remotely.
Popular styles
Industrial and Scandinavian styles are very fashionable, and vintage is still very much appreciated as well. Metal lamps with raw finishes, or the minimalist wooden designs of our Scandinavian lamps, are trendy choices for a modern bedroom.
Sculptural and figurative lamps, mushroom shapes and glass globes for their part bring a more decorative touch. Finally, light fixtures in glass and gold metal add an elegant and refined note to the interior decor.
Tips for buying a bedroom lamp
Before ordering online, read the detailed description of each model (dimensions, materials, type of base, functions), and favor a site that offers secure payment, to protect your personal information.
Quality customer service also makes a difference when you have a question. At Lustria, each product page specifies the features of the light fixture, and our team answers if you are hesitating between two models.
Conclusion
Bedroom lamps are essential for creating a comfortable and functional ambiance. Given the variety of styles and functions, the key is to choose the light fixtures that match your real needs and your interior decor.
Whether you opt for a designer bedside lamp, an elegant pendant light or an LED ceiling light, there are many options for lighting your bedroom with style and efficiency. Rely on the advice in this guide to find, in the Lustria selection, the model that will create a welcoming atmosphere in your bedroom.
Frequently asked questions about bedroom lamps
What type of lamp is ideal for a nightstand?
A compact lamp that gives off soft light and is easy to switch on and off is ideal on a nightstand. Touch models, or those with adjustable brightness and integrated LED, are particularly practical.
A glass or gold metal lamp also adds an aesthetic touch to the bedroom.
What height should a bedside lamp be?
In general, the bottom of the shade should be at about eye level when you are sitting up in bed, so as to light the space without causing glare.
So take into account the height of your nightstand, and compare it with the dimensions given on the product page.
What color temperature should you choose for a bedroom?
A warm light, between 2700 and 3000 K, suits a bedroom best, because it creates a soft and restful mood.
For reading, a slightly more neutral light may be more comfortable. Also look at the luminous flux, expressed in lumens, and the consumption of the LED bulb, both shown on its packaging.
Do you need one or two bedside lamps?
For a double bed, two lamps are preferable: placed on either side of the bed, two identical lamps create an elegant symmetrical effect and allow each person to read without disturbing the other.
For a single bed, or in a small bedroom, one lamp is enough.
How do you create a warm atmosphere with a lamp?
Use a warm white bulb, a fabric or opal glass shade and, if possible, one of our adjustable brightness lamps, to adjust the lighting as the evening goes on.
Then multiply the small sources of light: bedside lamps, wall sconces and LED pendant lights complement each other to create a comfortable and soothing atmosphere.
Which lamp should you choose for a child's bedroom?
Choose a stable lamp fitted with an LED bulb that gives off little heat, and place it on a piece of furniture out of reach of small children, with the cable neatly tucked away.
The playful shapes (animal, rocket, moon) of our children's lamps particularly appeal to the youngest. A soft light with adjustable brightness accompanies the bedtime story.
Which materials should you favor?
It all depends on the style you want: wood and rattan for a natural mood, ceramic and glass for an elegant touch, metal for a modern or industrial style.
Cleaning should always be done with the lamp unplugged, using a soft, dry cloth, or a slightly damp one on glass and ceramic.
What are the advantages of LED lamps?
They consume little energy, last a long time and give off little heat, which makes them ideal for use near the bed.
Light fixtures with integrated LED also offer high-quality light, and they come in a wide variety of modern and elegant designs, well suited to a bedroom.
How do you install wall sconces in a bedroom?
Wall sconces are installed at eye level, that is, near the bed, at the eye level of a seated person, for optimal lighting. They are ideal for a reading area or for creating a warm atmosphere.
Models with an adjustable arm and a brightness dimmer offer the greatest flexibility. The electrical connection should be entrusted to a qualified electrician.
What are the different types of light fixtures for a bedroom?
The main types of light fixtures for a bedroom are ceiling lights, pendant lights, bedside lamps, wall sconces and floor lamps. Each offers particular advantages for lighting and decoration.
Together, they should provide light suited to reading, resting and storage. Good bedroom lighting is at once functional, aesthetic and energy-efficient, with a dimmer to modulate the brightness.