Bedroom Lighting Calculator
A bedroom needs several kinds of light so that it can be a calm place to rest and also a practical place to dress and read. Ambient light gives general illumination, task light supports reading in bed and using a vanity, and accent light highlights art or architecture. Putting each layer on its own switch or dimmer lets you adjust the mood through the day.
For reading, a light that delivers about 400 to 800 lumens at the page is a good guide, and it should be aimed so that it does not shine into a partner’s eyes. Wall sconces or plug in reading lamps on each side of the bed leave the bedside tables free. Dimmable ambient light helps you wind down in the evening.
Warm white light of around 2700 kelvin is generally more relaxing for a bedroom than cooler light, and it is a good idea to avoid bright, bluish light close to bedtime. Closets and dressing areas benefit from high color rendering so that clothes look their true colors, and a small night light near the floor makes a safe path to the bathroom.
