Add a Sculptural Touch

Some lighting is fairly traditional—other lighting makes a more artistic statement. In this primary bedroom, interior designer Poonam Khanna of Unionworks used the Synapse pendant by Apparatus, adding an additional layer of texture and shape.

“It’s ethereal while rigorously engineered, and playful like a yo-yo or an Oreo cookie,” she says. “We included it as a harmonizing element. It keeps company with multiple geometric textures and surfaces that feel more in balance with its presence.”

Keep It Minimal

If your space is more neutral, than even a more minimalist light fixture can add a bit of drama. “I love lighting that adds something to the conversation—even with something simple, like this classic, antique brass chandelier,” says interior designer Caitlin Creer. “The scale gives impact—it’s a statement-making element in the room.”

Warm It Up

Warm tones can work beautifully in a bedroom, creating a cozy, familiar feeling. Here, interior designer Jessica Nicastro paired this color palette with a brass sconce, which serves as the perfect visual counterpart. “One of the goals was to create an elevated, moody, resort-like feel for the space,” she says.

Hit the Beach

Who doesn’t love a day at the beach? Bring that seaside vibe to your bedroom with colorful accessories and sculptural lighting, like this wicker floor lamp in the shape of a palm tree. Grey Joyner, the interior designer, adds that well-placed lighting “can highlight design details” and is “the jewelry of a room.”

Keep It Natural

If you have beautiful natural materials, like this wood backdrop, then keep lighting minimal and sleek—doing so will help highlight their beauty. Plus, fewer oversized lamps mean more space.

“By forgoing a table lamp on nightstands, you free up precious room for bedtime necessities, create a cleaner look by eliminating visible wires, and often achieve better lighting for activities like reading,” says interior designer Stephanie Larsen.

Skew Toward Subtlety

Sometimes, a more subtle lighting setup can highlight the natural beauty of a space and set a more peaceful, moody ambience. Here, interior design firm Holzrausch brought a delicate lighting scheme into the bedroom.

“Integrated lights and subtle brass fixtures give the space a refined, comfortable feel without being too bright or dominant,” says Tobias Petri, the company’s managing director.

Pick a Pretty Pastel

Pastels, when used sparingly and tastefully, can really elevate a bedroom. In this space by Grey Joyner Interiors, the baby pink lamp shade perfectly complements the nearby green accents. “The lighting has to look good, but it also has to work,” says Joyner. “Layering soft accent lights with practical task lights makes the space feel cozy but still functional.”

Incorporate Natural Materials

In this kids room, the wicker flush mount perfectly complements the other organic materials—from the woven chairs to the wood bunk beds. “In a room with white walls, we played with scale and texture to make this statement light the star of the show,” says Claire Staszak, principal and owner of Centered by Design.

Layer Different Lights

Like in any room of the home, it’s wise to add different kinds of lighting to a bedroom—from sconces and chandeliers to table and floor lamps. “Install dimmers everywhere,” adds Lisa Schaffer, CEO of interior design firm Lisa & Leroy. “Adjusting light levels throughout the day transforms the mood of the space.”

Here, the ceiling fixture draws the eye upward, while the table lamps help to ground the space.

Make It Moody

Playing with materials and height can really set your bedroom apart—and make it feel even more moody and refined. Here, architect Andrew Franz used a brass pendant to accent the beamed ceiling, as well as wall lights to fully illuminate the space. “The strategy was to maintain a soft but even lighting level with no ‘dark’ corners,” he says.

Make It Breezy

The coastal look is a perennial favorite, and lighting is a major factor in cultivating that aesthetic. In this space, the palm tree floor lamp and sculptural table lamps add to the blue-and-white, airy color palette.

“It balances personality and function, setting a refined-yet-relaxed tone,” says Allison Mattis, principal and head designer at Trellis Home Design. “Each fixture enhances the design in a contemporary way, adding layers of warmth and character.”

Have Fun

Kids rooms are a place where you can really have fun with a design scheme—and that goes for lighting too. “Lighting with bold color can make a fun statement, especially in a [kids] bedroom,” says Staszak. “If it’s a playful silhouette, even better!”

Do Some Reading

If you or your loved one is a bookworm, then a reading light is essential. In this beachy home in Long Island, architect Andrew Franz added a beautiful brass version that perfectly complements the space.

“One of the most challenging aspects of lighting design is individually-controlled reading lights,” he says. “Here, we selected a swing-arm sconce from Lumfardo—a favorite for its functionality and timeless appeal.”

Be Intentional

More lighting is always better than less, but it’s important to know exactly what you need before laying out a room—you never want to go overboard.

“We always discuss use first,” says Noam Dvir, co-founder of interior design and architecture firm BOND. “I like to install directional pendants for clients who like to read or use their laptop in bed. You can move the light around according to your position and not disrupt your partner if they decide to call it a night.”

Don’t Forget the Shades

 Lampshades are a great way to infuse personality into a bedroom and can even be used to echo patterns and colors found elsewhere in the space. “The table lamps on the nightstands cast a more general, romantic glow that takes on the soft colors of their fabric shades,” says interior designer Nicola Harding of this space.

Hang a Pendant

Pendant lights can add drama and elegance to a bedroom, even if there’s just one, like in this circa-1960s beach cabin. “We installed a simple rice paper pendant from Hay, which creates a warm glow,” says Dvir. “Unlike the flush mounts we typically see in bedrooms, it lights up the walls and the ceiling. Hanging at eye-level creates visual interest in the room.”

Keep a Consistent Palette

In order to tie a bedroom together, the lighting has to work with the other interior design elements rather than against them. In this space by Pembrooke & Ives, the reading lights echo the material used in the chandelier, which incorporates the same deep blue as the various décor items.

Play With Texture

In this elegant space by Andrea Goldman Design, the overall color palette is neutral and bright; different textures and materials help to add intrigue. The chandelier brings natural, organic fibers to the space, while chunky blankets and airy drapes add to the overall ambience. The reading lights round out the overall look.

“Bedroom lighting is imperative for setting the room’s mood, as well as serving as a functional tool, depending on the homeowner’s needs,” says Goldman.

Embrace Historic Reference Points

In this primary bedroom, interior design firm James Thomas looked to the Tudor era for inspiration, bringing in a historic look that feels entirely modern. The chandelier, especially, really sets the tone. “Its graceful form echoes the room’s architecture, enhancing the cozy lakeside retreat,” says James Dolenc, co-founder of the brand.

Channel a Vibe With Neon

Neon is always cool, and it can instantly add drama and color to your bedroom. “[It] draws the eye and sets the tone,” says interior designer and architect Crina Arghirescu Rogard. “It’s bold yet serene—like a brushstroke of light against a canvas of midnight blues and emerald greens.”

Add a Statement Chandelier

A chandelier can add instant drama to the bedroom—like in this project, which balances a large one with surrounding wood finishes and natural materials. “Opting to include a larger dining room or great room fixture in the bedroom, when space allows, creates a more dramatic and striking atmosphere,” says Roger Higgins, principal designer of R. Higgins Interiors.

Try Colorblocking

Lighting can be colorful too, and it can even lend itself to an overall palette. In this space, the marbled lampshade perfectly juxtaposes the red wallpaper and green headboard. “It comes to life when the light is on, creating a sensational contrast,” says Harding.

Add Playful Sconces

Sconces are often subdued or subtle, but they can also be statement pieces all on their own. In this New York project, interior design firm James Thomas sourced some pendant-like sconces from Urban Electric. “Freshly painted tongue-and-groove paneling adds warmth while maintaining the space’s historic charm—no recessed cans here!” says Dolenc.

Go Big

Sometimes, bigger really is better. In this project, the jaw-dropping chandelier takes up nearly the entire ceiling, enhancing the room’s overall ambience and feel. “It highlights the rich textures and sophisticated design,” says interior designer Vanessa Deleon. “Paired with sculptural wall sconces, the lighting not only provides function, but also serves as an artistic element that ties the space together.”

Make It Rustic

The beautiful, green-blue accents in this space perfectly accent the rustic, elegant surroundings. The lighting lends itself to that extra pop of color, with a jewel-like shade that really makes the room shine.

Go Green—and White

Green is just about everywhere these days—in kitchens, bathrooms, and even bedrooms. Here, this beloved color beautifully pairs with white bedside lamps. These traditional elements serve as timeless accents and provide a welcome bit of illumination for late-night reading.

Lean Into Nature

Those who are devoted to their flower garden will appreciate this bedroom lighting solution, courtesy of interior design firm Hendricks & Churchill. The green lamp by Mariana Kennedy perfectly echoes the Gucci wallpaper, setting a bright, botanical tone.