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(ARA) - Whether you retire to
a small alcove or grand master suite, you probably use your bedroom
for more than simply slumber. Dark bedrooms are great for sleeping,
but too little light hinders other activities taking place there.
“The bedroom has become
a sanctuary, a haven,” says Kathy Knapp, lighting consultant
and designer for Wabash Electric in Indiana. “People are
watching television, reading, relaxing and spending alone time
in their bedroom.”
Dan Blitzer agrees. “Bedrooms
are getting larger,” says the American Lighting Association’s
continuing education instructor. “And while the bed remains
the focal point, it might be sharing its space with a television,
workout equipment, a computer, or a sitting area,” adds
Blitzer.
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To illuminate its many sides,
bedrooms need layers of diffused light. “You must have enough
light to focus on particular areas, as well as permeate the corners
and edges,” says Blitzer. “This means both overhead
and portable lights throughout the room.”
Types and styles of lighting
depend on bedroom occupants. Couples need individually controlled
reading lights on each side of the bed. Children demand extra
light for homework areas. The baby’s nursery requires an
installed dimmer or subdued lamp that allows parents to check
on their cherub without waking him up. |
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A senior citizen’s bedroom
has special lighting needs as well. “Those over 50 need
more light to see well,” says Blitzer. “Their eyes
are more sensitive to glare.” For maximum comfort, seniors
should make sure bedroom bulbs are bright enough and covered
by shades or bowl-type fixtures.
Lighting showrooms offer something
for every taste and pocketbook. Lamps range in style from neoclassic
to contemporary. Rope lighting in cove molding lifts the eye.
Recessed cans direct light to specific areas. “We are beginning
to see the use of chandeliers in bedrooms, as well as semi-flush
fixtures and ceiling fans, depending on ceiling height,”
says Knapp.
Even in homes with contemporary
baths and kitchens, bedroom trends tend toward the traditional.
For warmth, look for bronze, brass and antique brass fixtures.
Darker finishes and colors also predominate. Cream, textured
white and brushed nickel offer a lighter bedside option.
“Bedroom lighting purchases
are usually driven by the existing furniture decor,” says
Howard Bernstein, vice-president of ARTCRAFT, a Canadian-based
lighting manufacturer. “Bedroom furniture is a major purchase
and lighting choices should coordinate with that style.”
To update an existing bedroom,
replace a flush-mount ceiling fixture with a newer design or
a ceiling fan. Change or add portable or table lamps for a quick,
inexpensive face lift. Uplighting from the floor to highlight
a plant or potted tree adds interest, as does directional lighting.
When building a new home, consider
a pre-construction bedroom lighting plan. “At that point,
you can install lighting exactly where it needs to be,”
says Bernstein. “You can pre-program the outlets so you
have them -- and enough of them -- where you want them.”
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The Right Night Light
Bedroom lighting ranges from
basic to bold, dimmed to dramatic. To help you properly light
your bedroom, the American Lighting Association offers the following
tips:
Be Size Wise: Before buying bedroom lighting, first
determine the size of the room, says ARTCRAFT vice president
Howard Bernstein. Take your room measurements, along with outlet
locations and furniture placement to a lighting showroom. The
experts there can help you fill in with just the right light.
Height Right: consider scale. Bedrooms typically
have lower 8- or 9-foot-tall ceilings. Avoid fixtures with longer
bodies in favor of shorter or flush-mounted fixtures. “You
want a certain level for reading and enough lighting for dressing,”
says Bernstein. “You also need light to be high enough to
reach all the areas.”
Room to Glow: Decide what you want to do in the room,
and then choose appropriate lighting. Home computers, sewing
machines and exercise equipment in the bedroom need directed
lighting. Sitting areas beg for softer, shaded fixtures. Makeup
tables demand brighter light. |
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