| Bedrooms are used for far more than simply sleeping. | | | | floodlight or narrow spotlighto Uplighting from the |
| They provide places to read, work out using exercise | | | | floor draws attention to a particular feature, such as |
| equipment, watch TV, or spend time relaxing alone | | | | a potted plant.o Directional lighting sheds light on an |
| or with your partner. It's important to have the right | | | | area of the room where more light is needed, such |
| lighting for all these different activities - more light will | | | | as a workspace or exercise areao Track lights are a |
| be needed for working at the computer, say, than | | | | series of light fixtures attached on a continuous track |
| for relaxing in bed. To achieve this balance, you'll need | | | | device which contains electrical conductors. They are |
| to have both portable and fixed lights in your room. | | | | useful for highlighting artwork along the wallso |
| Different types of people also have different lighting | | | | Sconces are a type of light fixture fixed to a wall. |
| needs. Couples need individually controlled bedside | | | | Sconces were originally used to hold burning torches |
| reading lights so they can go to sleep at different | | | | and tend to be ornate, so would suit a more |
| times. Teenagers and students need adequate light | | | | dramatically styled bedroomo Occupancy sensors |
| for studying. Babies' nurseries should be fitted with a | | | | react to the infrared heat energy given off by |
| dimmer switch or low-level light so that parents can | | | | people. The sensors can tell if there is somebody in |
| check on their child without waking them. Plug-in | | | | the room or not and switch the lights on and off |
| nightlights are ideal for young children to help them | | | | accordingly. This saves you fumbling for the light |
| find their way in the dark. | | | | switch in the dark and avoids wasting electricity from |
| Older people need more light to see properly and | | | | forgetting to turn off the lights when you leaveo |
| their eyes are also more sensitive to harsh lighting. If | | | | Closet lights are small, fluorescent lights mounted |
| you're older, you should make sure your lights are | | | | inside a walk-in closet above the door to help you |
| sufficiently bright but covered with a shade to | | | | see to choose your clotheso Candles create a |
| reduce glare. If you do your make-up sitting at a | | | | romantic atmosphere in a room, but only use them if |
| dressing table, this should be horizontally lit from both | | | | you're sure you won't fall asleep and leave them |
| sides, otherwise shadows will fall across your face. | | | | burningo Fairy lights add sparkle and a feminine touch |
| Choose your bedroom lighting to complement your | | | | to your bedroom. Run them along the walls or drape |
| furniture and decor. If your bedroom is romantic and | | | | around a feature such as a mirror |
| traditional, go for bronze or antique fixtures and | | | | Bedside lighting |
| fittings, or for a contemporary look, incorporate | | | | The simplest solution for bedside lighting for couples |
| spotlights in the ceiling or floor. | | | | is to place individual lights on bedside tables or |
| Your central light needs to be high enough to reach | | | | cabinets. Choose shades that are white inside and a |
| all areas of the room, so don't buy a fixture that | | | | warm colour outside and use a clear bulb to give off |
| hangs too low. Before choosing your bedroom | | | | warm tones of light. Other options are to mount |
| lighting, first measure the dimensions of your room | | | | bedside lights on the wall, or to fix them into the |
| and take them along to a lighting showroom. The | | | | bedhead. However, depending on how tall you are, |
| staff will be able to help you select lights that are the | | | | you may find you have to lie at a certain angle to be |
| right size for your room. | | | | comfortable. Make sure they have separate switches |
| Bedroom lighting optionso Dimmer switches can be | | | | so you can turn off your light without reaching over |
| used to adjust the main central light and wall lights in | | | | your partner. |
| your bedroom to suit your moodo Recessed lights, | | | | Finally, remember that your bedroom may be used |
| or downlights, are light fixtures that are installed into | | | | during the day and pay attention to the natural light |
| a hollow opening in the ceiling, so that the light | | | | in the room. If blinding sunlight creeps into the room |
| appears to be shining down from the ceiling. They | | | | when you're trying to work, use Venetian blinds or |
| concentrate the light downwards, either as a broad | | | | muslin curtains to diffuse it. |