Height of lamps in the bedroom above the bed

Unlike other areas of a house or apartment, the bedroom remains a purely intimate area. However, the inaccessibility of the premises for prying eyes is not a reason for neglecting the design rules. On the contrary, it is recommended to think over the atmosphere here to the smallest detail so that it promotes rest and relaxation. Lighting is an important design component, the distribution of which will be discussed.

The standard for placing a wall lamp is considered to be a height of 120-160 centimeters from the floor. These values ​​are considered approximate as the designs and sizes of the beds differ from each other. Therefore, some designers prefer to focus on the distance from the pillow to the sconce on the wall, which is 100-120 centimeters.

In addition, in order to correctly determine at what height to place the sconce, you need to take into account several criteria.

• If the structure is needed only as a source of dim light, it can be placed above the bedside table or headboard. When choosing the latter option, the sconce is installed with a minimum distance of 20 centimeters between the lamp and the back of the berth. If there is a risk of touching the device with your hands when changing the pose in a dream, the distance should be increased.
• The direction of the light flux. Models with shades upward often assume general lighting. And the downward aspiration of light implies directed light. Therefore, in the first case, the minimum values ​​of the standard height are chosen for fixing the luminaire, and when buying a model with shades directed downward, the installation height is calculated based on ease of reading or handicraft.
• The sconce should be easy to turn on from a prone position. The optimal location of the switch is at the level of an adult's outstretched arm. If placing a bedside lamp in this place does not fit into the rules, you should give preference to a model whose switch is made in the form of a chain.
• People who add extra lighting above the bed to read before bed need to consider additional options. This is the required distance from the sconce to the book, as well as the angle of incidence of the shadow. The calculation scheme requires the user to take a pose in which he plans to read or do needlework. This allows you to determine the desired distance.

Other factors affect the placement of additional lighting. Thus, a large amount of furniture enhances the diffusion of light. Therefore, a minimalist bedroom will require a sconce with lower wattage lamps than a space cluttered with various objects. What matters is the length of daylight hours, the side of the world that the apartment windows face, their size and location.

For a sound sleep, experts recommend placing the bed in a corner that is least illuminated during the day. An additional lamp must be installed there. When installing a sconce, do not forget about safety rules. Besides light, lamps are a source of heat. Therefore, the wiring and elements of the device that are heated should not be near flammable materials. In extreme cases, you will have to think about replacing incandescent lamps with analogs, the temperature of which does not rise during operation.

A central diffused light source may still be needed in the bedroom.However, designers do not recommend placing the chandelier over the bed. This decision is believed to create concern that the heavy structure might fall from the ceiling. As a result, rest and relaxation in such a room will not work.

It is not difficult to mount a chandelier at a distance from the bed in a spacious bedroom. However, in a limited space, you can solve the problem in alternative ways.

• The most radical option is considered to be a complete rejection of central lighting. It is replaced by spotlights located around the perimeter.
• If the chandelier, placed in the center, is still above the bed, it is worth shifting it towards the foot. As a result, all risks when it falls are minimized. In addition, this arrangement favorably emphasizes the bed and the chandelier, especially if the berth is located away from the central axis of the room. For the bedroom, horizontal lamps are recommended, the height of which does not exceed the diameter.
• The asymmetrical arrangement of the chandelier can be an original solution. For example, it can be a replacement for a bedside lamp, located on the side of the bed. In this case, you should take care of the harmonious design of the other side of the headboard.
• In a narrow bedroom with a bed in the center, you can consider the option with two symmetrical chandeliers located on both sides of the bed. This solution is convenient when dividing the space into two functional areas. In this case, you should pay attention to the design of the wall behind the headboard, as well as the location of other pieces of furniture and decor.

Current trends suggest that a chandelier may not be the only light source in a bedroom. Today this room is designed not only for a night's rest. In an apartment, it is used for evening work, reading or handicraft, as well as trying on clothes and applying makeup.

Such sconces are necessary as a source of soft, diffused light. They are required in the bedroom:

• in families where one of the family members has to get up while others are sleeping, for example, to work or to feed a child at night;
• for children and adults who are afraid of the dark;
• for decorative purposes.

Nightlights vary in design. For small children, they buy models that are attached to the crib. At an older age, table lamps are popular, which are conveniently placed on the bedside table. Wall and floor options do not lose their relevance.

The range of bedside lamps is diverse. It includes:

• small bedside lamps, often made in the form of a toy;
• plug options that work directly from the outlet;
• glowing plastic or stuffed toys that you can sleep with;
• 3D, which are backlit figures or compositions;
• models with built-in projectors;
• luminaires with ionization, spreading vapors of an aromatic substance or medicinal salt along with light throughout the room;
• lava lamps that attract attention by the movement of paraffin and glycerin inside the device (they tend to overheat, therefore they are not designed for long-term use);
• plasma lamps, which are a glass sphere with a liquefied gas (charged electrodes located inside tend to be attracted to the place of contact).

Device installation rules are determined by its type. So, some are enough to attach to a crib, plug into an outlet or put on a dressing table. If the night light is made in the form of a sconce, it is hung on the wall. For some models, the ceiling becomes the attachment point.

While some of the nightlights can run on replaceable batteries, most lights require an electrical connection. If the model assumes a plug for plugging into an outlet, the only task is to fix the structure to the wall.

In other cases, you need to additionally stretch the wires connecting the lamp to the switches. This can be done in several ways.

• If you want paired sconces to turn on and off separately, a separate wire with a switch will need to be routed to each luminaire.
• When connected in series, all devices of the same circuit will be connected to one switch. This is convenient if you plan to use all the lighting at the same time.
• If it is necessary to control the sconce from several points, it is connected to several switches. So, the installation of keys next to the entrance to the bedroom and at the head of the bed is becoming a popular option.

It is convenient to stretch the wiring at the stage of repair work in the room. This allows you to mask the wires from prying eyes. If the sconce is mounted after the completion of the repair, it is better to give preference to models that operate from an outlet or on batteries.

Regardless of the connection method, you should not neglect safety precautions. So, you need to make sure that the device is sufficiently protected from moisture. It is important to use bulbs that do not exceed the maximum wattage rating. And when buying a sconce for a nursery, you should, if possible, exclude glass products and other materials hazardous to the child.

To summarize: to date, the opinions of designers agree that limiting the lighting in the bedroom to a central chandelier is impractical. It is worth installing a sconce near the bed or at the head. Depending on the purpose, this device can become a source of soft illumination that allows you to orient yourself in the room at night. Or the device will provide a directed stream of light, which will make it convenient to read a book or pay attention to your favorite hobby before bed.

In addition to wall models, you can consider tabletop or fixed to the ceiling. The permissible height of the sconce installation is within 40 cm above the floor level. Such a corridor allows you to adjust the distance from the lamp to the bed in accordance with the needs of the owner.