Bedroom Lighting
Bedrooms are functional spaces but they are also for relaxing, so the lighting here needs to cater for both. Either way, it should create a pleasant comfortable feel… this is something that dimming will help you achieve.
Task based bedroom lighting
People's age and eyesight have a real bearing on their requirements for task-based lighting. So the optimum solution for you may be different to the next person. It is recommended that specific task lighting is used for activities in the bedroom that require high light levels – such as homework or reading – rather than overlighting the entire room.
Bedroom task based lighting |
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| Old bulb | Replacement | Comment |
| Standard incandescent bedside lamp | 'Warm white' 2700K CFL (standard or dimmable) or equivalent new generation halogen bulb | Be sure to select the equivalent wattage bulb (here's a guide) |
| Candle bedside lamp | Equivalent new generation halogen candle or decorative CFL version | If your fixture takes a more specialised halogen bulb, choose the most energy efficient replacement available. |
If you need higher lighting levels for tasks such as reading, the use of energy efficient bulbs allows you to increase the wattage of your light bulb without exceeding the maximum wattage of the fitting. For example, if your bedside lamp is rated to a maximum of a 40W bulb, you can safely replace this with a 14W ‘warm white’ (2700K) CFL and benefit from the equivalent lighting of a 75W traditional incandescent bulb without exceeding the fitting’s maximum wattage.
General bedroom lighting
If you have recessed incandescent downlights in bedrooms, you firstly need to establish what type of fitting you have. Does it have a reflector in it or not? (Do not assume the lamp inside the fitting is correct).
Bedroom general lighting |
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Pendant or other surface mounted |
Equivalent 2700K CFL (dimmable or standard) or new generation halogen bulb | If the bulb can be seen, choose the best replacement bulb for the look you are after. Check the packaging to ensure the colour temperature and functionality meet your needs. |
| Standard incandescent light bulb in fitting with a built in reflector | Equivalent new generation halogen bulb with reflector or 'warm white' 2700K CFL bulb | Check the physical dimensions of the fixture; whether the CFL can fit inside the fitting; and that light can escape |
| Incandescent reflector light bulb with reflector |
Choose appropriate energy efficient reflector lamp: R63, R80, PAR 20, PAR 30 or PAR 38. Both new generation halogen and CFL equivalents are available. | R lamps are well suited to producing general volumes of light; PAR lamps produce a more spotty effect as the beam is more precise |
| 50W 12v halogen spotlight (also known as MR16 dichroic spotlight) |
35W IRC halogen spotlight | Get the same amount of light from a bulb that uses 30% less energy and lasts twice as long |