Master Bedroom Lighting

Christine,

I am trying to figure out what kind of ceiling light (and perhaps what color to put on the walls) would go with the room..

As you can see in the pictures below, the room has wainscoting around the room (I know, I know, the chair rail is either too high or too low and in a bad spot), is white all around with mirrored closet doors and a large curtain on the wall with the sliding glass door.

I do like the curtains as they add color but could paint the wall(s).

 

I should mention that my wife thinks there is not enough light in the room.

The other boring option would be to have canned lights put in (which would add general lighting).

Thanks in advance!

Regards,

Hi Eric,

Before I get to the lighting, I have to say that you have a huge disconnect in the color/style pallet of the room.  You  have three different things going on.  Here are your options:

1.  Keep the sheets and the white bedding, and leave the walls white.  Change your top bedding to something like this piece from West Elm:

And change your drapes to a fabric like this:

Then add a rug like this one from Dash and Albert:

OR- Keep your coverlet and your drapes and replace your sheets and bed skirt and wall surface or color:

And add a rug like this one:

Either way the two pillows in the front don't go with either. 

Now, for the lighting.  A lighting design in a master bedroom should provide multiple levels of light.  I would start with both can lights and a hanging light.  Can lights can be centered in the room, pulled a bit to the perimeter, and on a dimmer switch.  I would keep the hanging light fixture fairly neutral.  Bedding wears out much faster than a light fixture.  I like to update mine every 5-7 years, but your light fixture should last much longer.  Allow yourself to change the bedding color by staying neutral.

Let me tell you about your lamps.  If you like to read in bed, the bottom of the shade should be above your eyes as you are sitting in bed.  I know this is very picky and finicky- but I'm here to tell you exactly how it should be for optimal lighting.  Or you could wear your camping head light.  Either one.  ;-) 

When you have insufficient lighting:

1.  First check to see if you are currently using the maximum wattage, and you don't have burned out bulbs.  I had a client once (a commercial job) where they wanted me to redo their lighting.  Upon first inspection I could easily see they were dealing with about 50% burned out bulbs, bulbs replaced with lesser than maximum wattage, and different hues to the bulbs.  You might start with your bulbs.

2.  Now, let's say you have low wattage and your lighting is funtioning up to capacity.  I had a client where I suggested cans and hanging lights, and they decided to JUST do the hanging lights.  I said, wait then, and I re-selected hanging lights that offered a much higher wattage.  On many websites you can actually search for lighting by wattage.  When purchaing lights consider the wattage.   Check out this terrific pendant light:

It only holds one bulb.  It maxes out at 150 watts.   There are MANY terrific looking pendant lights out there right now that do the exact same thing, hold one bulb.  Unless I was working with a very small property, I would never JUST have 150 watts over a table or bed. 

Check out this fixture:

This one holds three bulbs, 300 watts total.  I think this is what happens, people shop around, they see that the shade on the top is the same diameter and less than half the price and buy it, many times not even considering the light output.

3.  Increase the number of light sources.  Add lamps, add sconces, be creative. 

I have this really cool toy, a digital LUX meter.  If you live locally, I can come over, measure your light output in the room and let you know how to make it perfect.  Keep in mind that especially the aging community needs good lighting.  Your eyes let in less and less light as they get older, so whereas I could bet my average blog reader is NOT in that category, for safety purposes, check out the lighting at your parent's or grandparent's place and help them out.  (Yes, I do a lot of work in nursing homes and assisted living facilities- so bear with my tangents.  ;-)

Thanks for writing in Eric!  Good luck with your bedroom.

Leave a comment today and let Eric know which bedroom option you prefer-

1.  casual red

2.  more formal sage

Becca's Before and After

Hi Christine,

You probably don't remember, but I emailed you back in February of 2009 for advice on my living room  (here. and here and here and here and here)  I thought it was so fun to get on your blog and see my pictures and get some advice from you.  Great advice, by the way.  Well, I never sent you "after" pictures because I didn't exactly follow your advice.  I've had some serious guilt issues about that.  How rude of me not to respond with my finished room.  Well, I wanted to send you some after pictures because I've been following your blog/new site and although I didn't follow your exact advice for my room, I have tried to apply the principles you talk about and I'm pretty happy with the end result.  Thought you might like to see it.  Thanks for all you do.  I love to hear what you have to say!

Rebecca

ps - I'm so embarrassed when I look back at the before pictures.  How did I have any friends???

pps - big chunky crown molding makes the biggest difference in a room.  So worth it.

 

Hi Rebecca,

You really did a beautiful job!  It's a good thing that good friends don't care about how well we decorate.  :)   They do make great before and after photos!  I LOVE the lighter paint.  I love how you took care of your TV.  Your use of scale on your wall decor is infinitely improved!  Good Job!

Do you want to take it to the next level?  Consider a lighting plan.  Check out the advice I gave Cara on her dining room.  A rectangular shape on your light would be so much nicer.  While I was replacing the light, I would move it.  (Even if you just use a chain and hook)  Move the table 90 degrees to face the other direction.  Center the table with your new fabulous wall decor, as well as the window-  then hang the light above the new location.  I see that you have a vent near where that location might be, but you can make it work. It might require shifting your set of nine perfectly hung pictures.  But- the most important thing is that we get it right, right? ;) Then I would put a nice large plant in the corner with an uplight.  Consider also adding an eyeball light accenting your art, and a sconce between the window and door.  Look at the advice I gave Kim on her lighting plan.  Use the advice in both of your rooms. 

The last bit of advice I have is to finish it off with a rug.  (You might use this table every day and have small children and prefer the hard floor for practical purposes)- but I will tell you that from a design standpoint, the space would benefit greatly from the softness of a rug. 

Be sure that the rug blends nicely with the rug in the family room.

I found the rug above on homedecorator.com.  Rebecca, I can't thank you enough for sending in after photos.  It makes me happy even if you didn't do every thing exactly- you did a fantastic job.  There are many good ways to decorate a room- and you did very well! 

Thanks again,

Christine