Bedside lamps or sconces are the norm in most homes, but space constraints or a flair for drama might lead someone to take a different approach. Here are ten bedrooms that where the "mood lighting" is tasteful, unique, and inspiring.
- Liz's bedroom uses globe lights clustered in a corner to add an ethereal quality to the bedroom.
- Lighting doubles as artwork over the bed in a North London home.
- A bedroom in Tyler and Sarah's home repurposes Christmas decorations as out-of-the-ordinary lighting.
- In Sam's Sydney home, Tom Dixon's red Jack Light rests on the floor.
- A corner pendant in Genevieve and Maxwell's home provides reading light in a small space.
- In a Boston home, two simple modern pendants complement the artwork over the bed.
- A DIY glowing headboard is easy to achieve with rope light and a staple gun.
- In a tiny apartment, back-lit storage that surrounds the bed makes the room feel larger.
- A multi-colored chandelier kicks up the style a notch in a traditional home.
- Two bedside chandeliers add luxury and reading light in Suzi's Columbus Condo.
Photos: Liz Fabry (1), Kristin Hohenadel (2), Tanya Lacourse (3), Sam (4), Laure Joliet (5), Wes and Kayla Schwartz (6), Wes and Kayla Schwartz (7), Jill Slater (8), Bethany Nauert (9), Jennifer Wray (10)
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I don't understand how to do these paper globes in picture #1. I've had these things before and I like the lighting they put off, but the cords! How can I do something like this without all the ugly cords everywhere?
@jessiann16 Good question. We put a cluster of 3 diff size globes in a corner, and only lit one. The cord is tucked into the corner and runs down the wall. Its not perfect, but will suffice. With all of them lit, Im not sure you could do anything reasonable that would look good. Just too many cords.
Without some electrical / sheetrock / crown moulding work, Im not sure you could get this look as clean as we would like.
That said, in the not to distant future, elec devices like TV's will be able to receive power over a wireless connection, letting cords fall by the wayside. I would suspect light fixtures would benefit from the same treatment.
My boyfriend has these restored neon letters in his room that he primarily uses as light fixtures. Of course, he's a neon artist so he was able to restore them himself, but I think they add a really nice low level light for watching movies or reading. And an interesting decorative element too.
I am ok with light sources having a footprint if they double as something else useful, a la #8, but I can't hang with something like #3. Also, I could totally see impaling myself with it some sleepy night while searching for my glass of water.
In pic #8. I think the lighting is cool, but I'm curious about something else in that room. What is that on the right side? It appears to be a massage table? Ironing board?I figure it couldn't be a desk since it's padded. I'm just curious.
@Ty I'm pretty sure its a baby changing table. The shelf above looks to be full of baby clothes.
The last photo is a chuckle.
@jessiann16: I did a cluster of them in the corner of a room and here's my solution. I bought a piece of PVC pipe that extends almost to the top of the ceiling. After the lights were positioned, I ran the cords down the PVC pipe (which required a lot of deep breaths and an DIY-pull the cords through-system). The plugs stick out the end and are plugged into one power strip. This allows us to easily turn them all on and off. I then bracketed the pipe to the corner and plastered the brackets for stability. The room's walls are ivory, so the PVC worked well but might require more work for painted walls. A chair in the corner helps cover everything as well. It has really added a lot of light to the room.
Check it out:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54219321@N03/5354549211/
"I am ok with light sources having a footprint if they double as something else useful, a la #8, but I can't hang with something like #3. Also, I could totally see impaling myself with it some sleepy night while searching for my glass of water."
I agree with you, dirce79 - I have a floor lamp in my bedroom next to a chair that doubles as a shelf. Before I got my side tables (which have some small reading lamps), that was my side table. Add that I have a CFL in there, and I get soft light throughout the room with low energy usage.
I don't really see how a lot these ideas are innovative, as we've been using similar techniques for years. But I absolutely LOVE doing chandeliers in the bedroom!
@jessiann and ctmorgan: for painted walls, if you use primer you can paint the PVC to match your walls. And if you have a decent saw, you can cut the PVC in half or in a quarter and tuck them into the corner very nicely while getting them flush with the wall. Since they are light, something as simple as painter's tape or masking tape should be able to hold them without damaging the walls.
Being from the supplier side I'm finding more and more customers putting chandeliers in their bedrooms.
I was recently asked to switch a ceiling fan that wasn't working for a customer with a blown glass chandelier with only 18" of height available. She was very happy with the ring chandelier that we made for her, you can see it here:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=481131434157&set=a.334229029157.150681.252892014157
I absolutely love the lighting in #3! And while I can understand the dangerous 'spike in the night' issue, I think it's a great way to add a unique ambiance.
Where can I get the Amateur Boxing sign??? My hubby is an mma fighter and this is perfect for us! Thanks! ~Mel