Bedroom Lighting Ideas for Couples

3 January 2019

A couple's bedroom should reflect the style and personality of both partners, and at the same time create the perfect ambiance for romantic moments. Here are 4 great mood lighting tips that will help you transfer your bedroom into a romantic haven.

Diffusing lamp shades are helpful since they can create a soft atmosphere similar to indirect lighting on nearly any light fixture. Look for any fixture with a semi-opaque shade to get the diffused effect. Diffusing shades are also a good way to incorporate colour into your lights. A rich red shade will have a warm, cosy glow while a soft blue will feel serene and spa-like.

Tip: To maintain versatility, go for a neutral lampshade and add colour-changing LED smart bulbs that are controlled via a smartphone, wireless dimmer switch or a smart voice assistant. With Philips Hue you can also set your smart bulbs to match your sleep schedules. 

Dimmer switches can be found on light fixtures but are more often on the wall switch. Three-way switches can also accomplish varied moods for lighting. These are usually found as part of the light fixture itself and though they require specialty bulbs they do allow three light settings: high; low; and off. There are also fixtures that allow four or five settings, but these are much harder to find. Dimmer switches and low light settings are also useful for couples that get out of bed at different times — the early riser can see while getting ready without disturbing the other.  

Tip: Go for a portable wireless dimmer switch - like the Philips Hue dimmer switch - which is battery-powered, so no installation is required.

Wall-mounted bedside lamps that have adjustable heads are a great option for night owls love to read. Another option is to install smart LED bulbs in your existing bedside fixtures. These smart bulbs use wi-fi to connect to a smartphone app which enables you to change the brightness and colour temperature of the light to a setting suitable for reading.

Tip: Choose a lamp that allows you to get the right light setting, so you don’t disturb your partner's sleep while reading your favourite book at night. See Philips Hue White Ambiance Explore wall light.

While matching finishes can look very cohesive, using different finishes allows each partner to express their personal tastes in a subtle way. Instead of having matching nightstands with matching lamps, experiment with combinations of different light sources that express your personalities add a hint of playfulness.

Tip: Install a smart LED lightstrip behind the headboard of your bed or under your bed and create a romantic atmosphere. Get creative with the Philips Hue Lightstrip and set your personal mood lighting.