55 Bright Ideas for Bedroom Ceiling Lighting
Create a peaceful ambiance in your bedroom with these exemplary ceiling lighting designs.
As with any room in your home, your bedroom lighting should never be just an afterthought. The right lighting can take a drab space and turn it into a beautifully illuminated place that has an impact on your mood and wellbeing. But with all the different types of lighting out there, how do you choose? When considering the best lighting for your bedroom, the size of your room and the height of your ceiling should be top considerations; too much light or the use of oversized fixtures can easily overpower a small room, while sparsely placed fixtures may diminish the look of an expansive suite.
Often what works best is to combine several different types of lighting in your bedroom. And perhaps, if you’re working with a space that benefits from ample natural lighting, let it shine (pardon the pun) and have lighting options take a backseat?
Here, we’ve curated a list of our favorite bedroom lighting ideas for the ceiling. So whether you’re looking for small bedroom ceiling lighting ideas or something for your master bedroom, we’ve likely got a solution for you. Realizing that your space may have particular needs, we’ve included some excellent master bedroom lighting ideas for a vaulted ceiling, and even some master bedroom lighting ideas for a tray ceiling, too.
1. Task Lighting Hangs Low From This Vaulted Ceiling
This master bedroom is located on the western side of the house, and it has a balcony that is well set up for enjoying brilliant sunset views. One of our favorite master bedroom lighting ideas for a vaulted ceiling is to suspend task lighting from the rafters, seen here in this desk lamp look-a-like.
Courtesy of Marsel Roothman
Exposed wood beams are set against contemporary artwork and custom furniture in this bedroom. An expansive modern chandelier, finished in black, provides ample downlighting for the large room.
Courtesy of Hotel Figueroa
For small bedroom ceiling lighting ideas, let natural light take the lead. This peaceful bedroom does just that while incorporating strips of light into the woodwork of the ceiling.
Courtesy of NUDO
When it comes to master bedroom lighting ideas, tray ceiling options include cove lighting, seen here. This technique is a great way to illuminate a room using uplighting. However, in a room this large, other task and accent lighting is often necessary.
Mike McNamara, Zen House Collective
A sleek ceiling fan and matching accent lights blend into the dark wooden background in this tropical hideaway.
Photo: Mariko Reed
In this bedroom, light fixtures suspended along a metal track can be moved and repositioned as desired for accent or task lighting.
Hey!Cheese
When it comes to bedroom lighting ideas, a low ceiling often works best with out-of-the-way recessed lighting, seen here in this tiny trailer. The recessed lights provide just the right amount of task lighting, while the surrounding windows lend natural light.
Courtesy of Jeremy Gudac
For master bedroom lighting ideas for a tray ceiling, you can’t beat the beautiful illumination provided by the cove lighting in this otherwise sparse bedroom.
Master bedroom lighting ideas for a vaulted ceiling include adding a dramatic statement piece, like this stunning Moooi Heracleum pendant light.
Courtesy of Quintin Lake
Recessed lighting is a great bedroom lighting idea for a low ceiling, as shown in this cozy sleeping loft with a double bed.
Photo by Tom Baker
Recessed lighting is a smart option if you’re looking for bedroom lighting ideas that accommodate a low ceiling.
StudioBuell
This master bedroom features a vintage Danish teak platform bed from Nordisk Andels-Eksport, a Globe pendant from West Elm, and drapes from IKEA. A simple globe pendant offers the perfect, understated touch of elegant lighting.
Photo by Pippa Drummond
Golden orbs suspended from the ceiling pair perfectly with a functional desk lamp, giving this elegant modern bedroom the perfect balance between form and function.
Courtesy of Jesper Ray
Rustic meets modern in this bedroom, where white track lighting beautifully illuminates a black wall and serves as accent lighting for vintage wall art.
Photo by Adrien Williams
The cozy bedroom overlooks views of the tree canopy. For small bedroom ceiling lighting ideas, we love this simple, cylindrical pendant light that offers just the right amount of soft light.
Photo: Whit Preston
Recessed lighting is strategically placed along the edges of this expansive, minimalist bedroom in Thailand. For master bedroom ceiling lighting ideas where a clean look is desired, recessed lighting makes a great option.
Chaovarith Poonphol
On the upper level of a timber home in Chile is a corridor with a studio, library, and gallery that leads to the ensuite master bedroom. In this understated space, a single, dramatic pendant light hangs, making use of an exposed bulb.
Courtesy of Felipe Fontecilla
When it comes to bedroom lighting ideas for the ceiling, why not go for the gold? Seen here is an attractive golden pendant offering just the right amount of downlight for this bedroom that also enjoys an abundance of natural sunlight thanks to large sliding doors.
Moreland Properties
MNB Design Studio used plywood, smart storage solutions, and the principles of origami to create a highly structured, minimalist home. Here, two Edison bulbs peek out from the unusual wooden structure.
Courtesy of MNB Design Studio
Twin fluorescent strip lights create an otherworldly ambience in this Airstream trailer bedroom.
Courtesy of Notel
The wallpaper motif in this master bedroom is inspired by mosaic tile floors. It evokes a calm elegance and is paired with a coordinating wallpaper, pillows, and a pendant light.
Photo by Charmaine David
A lantern-style pendant outlined in black rests in stark contrast with its surroundings in this serene, minimalist cabin. The contrast seen here is one of our favorite bedroom lighting ideas.
Photo by Maja Flink
Looking for fun bedroom lighting ideas for the ceiling? This multicolored Edison bulb pendant is the perfect fit for this whimsical room with pops of color throughout.
Courtesy of Airbnb
A Simple Hi bed by Formstelle defines this bedroom, which features a custom nightstand by Reddymade Design, Levo sconces by Cerno, a vintage Moroccan rug, and an Isamu Noguchi pendant.
Photo: Ball & Albanese
In this muted, gray bedroom, two Edison bulbs are suspended from the ceiling with bright, orange cords, lending a hint of color that instantly adds character and intrigue to the space.
Courtesy of Andy Matthews
A white ceiling adds visual space to this diminutive bedroom, while a matching white ceiling fan and light fixture complete the look.
Tim Krueger
In this master bedroom, a large, woven wooden orb hangs above the bed. For master bedroom lighting ideas, ceiling lights can mirror the home’s main elements; here, it’s a eucalyptus tree that provides inspiration throughout.
Photo: John Gollings
One of the more unique master bedroom ceiling lighting ideas on our list, the track lighting in this bedroom bounces off a series of screens, creating a rich, layered experience.
PHOTOGRAPHER: César Béjar
This master suite has a dressing room, a dreamy walk-in closet, and an extra-large ensuite bathroom. Two massive white pendants add textured, visual interest and soft lighting throughout.
Courtesy of Warburg Realty
An oversized geometric pendant is expertly matched to the wall behind the bed for a simple, cohesive, and impactful look.
Photo: Brett Boardman
A singular recessed light nestled in the white ceiling is all that’s needed in this expansive room with 270 degrees of floor-to-ceiling windows.
Mike Kelley
This master bedroom features a spectacular chandelier-style pendant with romantic, star-shaped lights.
José Manuel Alorda
A wooden globe pendant makes the perfect lighting choice for this jungle paradise bedroom.
Courtesy of EcoCamp Patagonia
34. Pretty in Pink
Copper-hued pendants stun in this bedroom primarily defined by natural and matte finishes. When it comes to bedroom lighting ideas for the ceiling, we can’t get enough of this look for both style and functionality.
Photo by Justin Alexander
Triangles are a central theme in this peaceful, light-filled home. The geometric shape is reflected in a tastefully placed pendant lamp.
Photo: Bruce Damonte
If you need bedroom lighting ideas for the ceiling, check out how this tonal bedroom in Vancouver utilizes a modern pendant light to add visual interest while tying perfectly with the desk lamp.
Photo: Ema Peter
Black and white tones dominate this guesthouse on a Californian ranch. The color is also incorporated into this attractive black pendant with exposed bulbs, which complements the ebonized oak headboard.
Photo by Erin Feinblatt
This funky, mint-green pendant is a simple, diminutive choice for bedroom ceiling lighting.
Photo: Peter Bennetts
A candelabra-style pendant hangs from the ceiling of this midcentury bedroom in Portland.
Chuck Collier Schmidt
Technically considered wall lighting, this box-shaped fixture provides uplight and downlight simultaneously, illuminating the ceiling and lending a beautiful ambiance to this peaceful bedroom.
Courtesy of Joana Garcia Oliveira
Looking for master bedroom lighting ideas for a tray ceiling? Draw some inspiration from this elegant hotel room, where lighting is strategically placed along the sides of the recessed ceiling, providing subtle downlighting for the room.
Courtesy of Circulo Gran Via Hotel
One of the most effective bedroom lighting ideas for a low ceiling is this recessed skylight-inspired lighting feature. It helps keep the space from feeling too snug.
TOWOdesign
This midcentury bedroom employs a period piece for a ceiling light: the Artemis maple ceiling fan with an incorporated LED light honors the period with organic, undulating forms.
Kerri Fukui
In one of the more unusual bedroom lighting ideas for the ceiling that we’ve seen, a dramatic backlight illuminates the wall and part of the ceiling in this otherwise dark bedroom.
Cesar Bejar
A large, exposed bulb hangs lower than its peers on a three-bulb pendant. The simple design effectively spreads subtle but diffuse light across this elegant, neutral-toned bedroom.
Photo: INT2 architecture
These simple, cylindrical pendants make for an understated look while providing critical accent light in this sizable bedroom.
The Modern House
The clean lines and modern vibe of this stainless-steel fan light can effortlessly elevate any bedroom.
Mikiko Kikuyama
Looking for master bedroom lighting ideas for a vaulted ceiling? Try this one, where a gaggle of Edison bulbs are suspended from a vaulted ceiling and drape over an exposed beam in this otherwise sparse bedroom.
Claudia Uribe Touri
This glamping tent references the outdoors with a pendant comprised of antlers.
Courtesy of Collective Retreats
The bedroom is located on a mezzanine just below the roof of a church. The minimal decor and simple arrangement of the room reflect the client’s modest tastes. The small pewter spotlights and pendant by Holloways of London connect to an exposed galvanized conduit that is set against the brick above the bed.
Photo: Richard Chivers
Take a page from the design of this former Tetley Tea Warehouse turned residence. The home features the building’s original concrete columns, beams, and exposed brick for an authentic hard-loft feel, and the modern lighting blends seamlessly with the style. Exposed globe bulbs offer the bedroom a retro, industrial aesthetic, with enhanced lighting from the bedside lamps.
Courtesy of Sotheby's International Realty - Downtown Manhattan Brokerage
Homeowners Jette and Mogens worked with architect Mads Lund to create their summer getaway in Zealand. The beach home features soft, neutral palettes with dark accents, including these understated semi-flush lights in the primary bedroom and throughout the house. As the home has ample sunlight, strategically placing these subtle fixtures provides warm, dramatic lighting after dusk, which they enhance using additional lamps from Jette’s company, Vipp.
Photo by Mikkel Mortensen & Emil Stegemejer of Yellows
Built in 1914, this small home in Long Beach, California, retains its quaint charm. The house incorporates an upscale bohemian style, giving every room a clean, eclectic aesthetic. The primary bedroom is no different, as it features a single pendant light with a retro feel that coordinates nicely with other design elements in the room.
Photo by Gavin Cater
Renowned architect Mark Hampton designed this midcentury modern home in Savannah, Georgia. It has since been redecorated but stays true to the home’s vintage by selecting fixtures reminiscent of its build date. In the primary bedroom, these white, hourglass-shaped pendant lights pair exquisitely with the home’s original walnut walls for an updated aesthetic.
Photo by Keen Eye Marketing/Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty
Bedroom lighting does not always hang above the bed. Cometa Architects redesigned this family apartment in Barcelona, Spain, creating an elegant, sophisticated aesthetic that complements the decorative ceiling tile. Adding a stem-mount pendant light in the primary bedroom makes a practical reading nook in an otherwise unused bedroom area.
Photo by José Hevia
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