Bedroom Reading Lights

Bedroom Reading Lights can be CFL or LED

 

bedroom reading lights sconceSo far in my discussion on Bedroom Lighting Ideas I’ve talked about Task lighting and General lighting.  Now to what is for me the nicest part – bedroom reading lights.

For reading you’ll need lighting close to each side of the bed (one side only if it’s a single bed).

Sconce Lights

Bedroom reading lights can be sconce lights.  Mounted on the wall at the side of the bed, they give you more space on your bedside table (crucial for some of us!).  As you can see in the picture above, there is space for flowers and ornaments on the nightstand because there is no lamp base taking up space.

Sconces are easier to install when you’re building.  To add later, you have to ‘channel in’ power inside the wall.

Table Lamps

bedroom reading lights table lampReading lamps can also sit on the bedside table.   They’re much easier to set up than sconces, but you have less space on the nightstand.

By the way, a pet hate of mine is high, tall bedside lamps.  They look elegant, but with the shade so far above head level, all I see is glare.

Pendant Lamps

bedroom reading lights pendantsAnother way of adding some glamour to your bedroom reading lights is to hang pendant lamps by the bed.  You have more space on the bedside table, and also you can control the height at which they hang.

Remember Your Partner!

Another consideration is partner comfort – you may not both be reading at the same time.  So make sure the reading light for your side of the bed, doesn’t interfere too much with the other side!

bedroom reading lights swing armSwing-arm and other moveable / directional lights are very useful in this regard.  The example above combines a sconce light with a swing arm.

A 10 Watt LED costs approximately $4.30 to run per year at 12 hours per day. At the end of year 1, it still has nearly 10 years of life!  Even throughout its entire 11 year life the LED will cost approximately $120, while a traditional fixture using an incandescent bulb will cost nearly $550!  (Source: EarthLED).

With the long life of LEDs, you will save on the disposal of approximately 50 incandescent bulbs and 5 CFLs, thus reducing our landfills and the amount of waste we each create.

Recessed Ceiling Lights

I have stayed in hotel rooms where reading lights are recessed into the ceiling above the bed.  They look great, and make a feature out of the bed.  Personally though, I don’t like to have a light shining right above me in bed, I prefer a side light that I don’t look directly into.  Luckily however, we’re all different!

bedroom reading lights recessedSuggestion: If you want to make a feature of your bed with overhead lights, do so (it can look really good), but add separate reading lights for the comfort of guests like me!  🙂

CFL or LED?

Bedroom reading lights can use either CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) or LEDs (light-emitting diodes).  LEDs are better for more focussed light, CFLs are better for more diffused light.

If you do a lot of reading and you prefer a brighter, sharper light, then go with LEDs (they stay cool too).  If you simply need a little extra light for reading in bed, then either CFL or LED will be fine.

I hope this series on the different types of light bulbs has inspired you to choose energy-efficient bulbs to enhance your home!

Other Lighting Articles – you might find these interesting

New Light Bulb Standards in the US

Light Bulbs Types

CFL Pros and Cons

LED lights at home and how best to use them

Bedroom Lighting Ideas

Harley LED Lights – Harley Davidson go Green (Video)

LED Kitchen Lights – Cool Ideas

LED Home Lighting – 4 things you need to know when buying LEDs

Example of LEDs (Videos)

 

Photo Credits:

Sconce: zimbio
Table Lamp: Gharexpert
Pendant: Apartmenttherapy
Swing-arm:  Lampsplus
Recessed: Lightfixturemagic


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  • I love sconces because they leave more room for what is really essential….BOOKS! Those blue swing lamps above are really beautiful.
    Sonya Lenzo

  • I believe that it was Cicero who said, “A room without books is like a body without a soul.” Lighting that helps you read in bed and doesn’t disturb your partner is the best.

    Yours In Health!

    G.E. Moon II

  • I will definitely choose the LED light. I also like the sconce lights, because it is designed for reading before going to sleep. Absolutely necessary for me.

  • I am definitely going to have to check out the LED lights for my lamps. When my husband reads and I want to sleep I use an eye mask, that way both of us are happy.

    Yours In Health!

    Dr. Wendy

  • Hi Clare!
    I did not expect this article but it’s great because you just gave me a very good idea for my bedroom ligthing!
    Thanks!!

  • I love the latest led lights. And even though they are becoming more and more like the original incadescents every day…. I could care less. I like them better!

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