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

Bed Placement

Hi Christine,

I have read many of your posts regarding bedrooms.  I know that the headboard wall is the focal point and that the headboard should ideally be placed on a wall without doorways or windows.  I am getting ready to buy new bedroom furniture and am finding it very difficult to figure out furniture placement.  We live in an older home with big windows and zillions of doors; there are no walls without openings!  I am attaching a floor plan in hopes that you will be able to help me figure out where to place our queen bed.

Thanks,
Ann

(photo from houzz)

Hi Ann,

Good question, with two answers. 

1.  Put your bed on the wall that has symmetrical windows.  Having windows on your headboard wall is not a bad thing, but having asymmetrical windows is what I would try to avoid.  Yes, your room is small enough that the headboard won't fit between your windows, (like the photo above) as might be more ideal, but it will still look good, even if your windows are covered a bit by the bed.  I found a few pictures to give you the idea.

(photo from havenandhome)

Having the bed on this wall,  you maintain balance, which is more important than the little bit of light you'd lose, or the view of your headboard from outside.

(photo from 6thstreetdesignschool)

I liked this room a lot.  What a fun and bold combination of colors and patterns without getting obnoxious.  Again, the headboard overlaps the windows a bit, but still definitely better from a design standpoint than placing your bed on a less symmetrical wall.

The one thing I really regret is that the door to the bathroom is placed such that you will have a hard time fitting a night stand on that side.  Make that you husband's side, and give him a floor lamp with my apologies. (or go with option 2)

2.  From a more practical standpoint, say your husband really wants a night stand, you will have to go with the wall with one window.  If money is not an issue, simply add a second window to that wall, giving yourself the symmetry that is ideal. 

If your budget can handle a curtain more than it can a contractor, hang a drape behind the bed, disguising the awkward window placement.  (Make sure the curtain is lined with blackout lining for best results.)

(photo from hgtv)

Make sure your curtain is wide enough to cover your non-existent symmetrical window.  Does that make sense?