Bedroom ceiling lights give soft light for getting dressed and tidying up. Choose a fitting with no glare when you lie in bed, a warm light and a style.
No glare when you're lying down
In a bedroom you often look up at the ceiling, so the bulb should never be visible. A glass, acrylic or fabric diffuser spreads the light and softens shadows. Go for 2,700 K, a warm white, with dimming to lower the light in the evening; the ceiling light and the bulb must then both be dimmable.
- 12 m² bedroom: 1,200 to 1,800 lumens is enough, at 100 to 150 lumens per m².
- Diameter: allow about 56 cm for a 3 × 4 m room, using the (length + width) × 8 rule.
- Low ceiling: a ceiling light doesn't reduce headroom, unlike a bedroom pendant light.
Styles, materials and warm bedrooms
Modern leads, followed by classic; metal is often paired with glass or acrylic, and fabric gives a soft, muted light. A crystal ceiling light adds sparkle to a classic-style bedroom.
In a bedroom that gets hot in summer, a ceiling fan with light combines lighting and air circulation, as long as the blades stay at least 2.30 m from the floor. For reading, plan lamps or wall lights near the bed. See also our tips on lighting your bedroom, our bedroom lighting and all our ceiling lights.
Frequently asked questions about bedroom ceiling lights
Integrated LED or bulb for a bedroom ceiling light?
Integrated LED allows very slim ceiling lights, but the light source isn't easy to replace; it lasts 15,000 to 25,000 hours. An LED bulb lets you choose the colour temperature, 2,700 K for example, and can be changed in seconds. Either way, look for the word dimmable if you want to adjust the brightness.
Do you need a dimmer in a bedroom?
It's useful: full light for tidying or making the bed, then a softer, more restful glow before sleep. The ceiling light must be dimmable, the bulb too, and the dimmer LED-compatible. A second switch by the bed, wired for two-way switching, saves getting up to turn the light off.
Where should the ceiling light go in a bedroom?
Usually in the centre of the room, on the existing ceiling outlet. If the bed takes up the centre, the light falls on your face: a wide, low-output diffuser reduces the discomfort, and an electrician can move the outlet towards the foot of the bed. Under a sloping ceiling, choose a compact design fixed on the higher part.
