Bedroom Pendant Lights and Chandeliers

Chandelier, pendant light or ceiling light: which to choose for a bedroom?

All three words refer to lights fixed to the ceiling, but not to the same object. The pendant light hangs from a cable or a rod and most often has a single light source. The chandelier is a pendant light with several arms or several bulbs, wider and more decorative. The ceiling light is fixed flush against the ceiling, with no visible cable.

Indicative guidelines. A shallow pendant light, placed above the bed, is still possible under a 2.40 m ceiling.

On this page, the selection brings together nearly 1,500 models from 30 to 69 cm in diameter. Pendant lights make up most of them, and around thirty multi-light chandeliers complete the range.

What size of chandelier for a bedroom?

A light that is too small gets lost on the ceiling, a light that is too wide overwhelms the room. The diameter is worked out from the dimensions of the bedroom.

Guidelines for a ceiling height of 2.50 m. In the selection, two models in three measure 30 to 49 cm in diameter, one in three 50 to 69 cm.

For the same diameter, a white paper globe or a rattan cage looks lighter than a dark metal dome: you can go up a size with a pale or openwork model.

How high should you hang a pendant light above a bed?

The hanging height depends on where the light hangs.

• In the centre of the bedroom, in a walkway: leave around 2 m between the floor and the bottom of the light. Under a 2.50 m ceiling, that leaves 50 cm for the shade and the cable.
• Above the bed: nobody walks upright at this spot, so the light can hang lower. Keep around 1.80 m from the floor so you can sit up and make the bed without touching it.
• As a bedside pendant light, on either side of the bed: the bottom of the shade sits 50 to 60 cm above the bedside table, that is at eye level when you read sitting up.

Fitting or replacing a light without major work

Replacing an old chandelier with a pendant light is done at the existing lighting point: switch off the power at the consumer unit, take down the old light, then connect the new one to the same hook and the same wiring. Check that the ceiling hook can bear the weight given on the product page. If you have any doubt about the installation, or if the bedroom opens onto a shower room, call in an electrician.

Which light and which bulb for a bedroom pendant light?

A bedroom needs less light than a kitchen or a home office, and a warmer light. Two figures, printed on the bulb's packaging, are all you need to choose well.

• Luminous flux, in lumens: allow 100 to 150 lumens per m². A 12 m² bedroom needs 1,200 to 1,800 lumens, a 16 m² bedroom 1,600 to 2,400 lumens, bedside lamps included.
• Colour temperature, in kelvins: 2,700 K gives a warm white, close to the old filament bulb. Stay under 3,000 K: beyond that, the light becomes white and cold, and hardly restful.

The vast majority of models in the selection take a screw-in bulb, which you choose and replace yourself. Around thirty have their own built-in LED source and a few have their own dimmer. To dim the light in the evening, pick an LED bulb marked 'dimmable' and have an electrician check that the wall dimmer is compatible with it.

Avoiding glare from the bed

Lying down, you look at the ceiling. Go for an enclosed model in opal glass or paper, a shade fitted with a diffuser, or a bulb with a frosted crown. Always pair the pendant light with two bedside lamps or two wall lights.

Rattan, paper, glass or metal: which material for which atmosphere?

The material of the shade determines how the light leaves the fitting. Metal dominates the selection with more than four models in ten, ahead of rattan and natural fibres, glass, resin, ceramic and wood.

As for colours, white comes first, followed by black and gold. The first blends into a pale ceiling, the other two mark the centre of the room.

As for makers, Forestier is the most represented brand, with nearly 80 models, including many pendant lights in bamboo and rattan. Next come Maytoni, Ferroluce, Belid and Marset. Muuto, Gubi, HAY and &tradition represent Scandinavian design, from lacquered metal to paper. Bazar Bizar and Good & Mojo work mainly with natural fibres, Schneid Studio and UMAGE with more graphic shapes.

A few bedroom pendant lights from the selection

&tradition Ivory white paper pendant light 50cm Formakami JH4 - &tradition €155,99 Forestier Black bamboo pendant light M Bamboo - Forestier €210,00 Muuto Taupe pendant light D55 cm Ambit - Muuto €599,00 Gubi Black metal pendant light 47 cm Semi - Gubi €444,86

Which pendant light for which bedroom?

Small 10 m² bedroom

Choose a diameter of 30 to 40 cm, in a pale shade or an openwork material. A globe in paper or opal glass lights the whole room without weighing down the space.

Master bedroom

From 14 m², a model of 50 to 69 cm takes its place in the centre of the room or in line with the bed. This is also the floor area at which a multi-light chandelier becomes possible, provided you have a 2.60 m ceiling height.

Child's bedroom or nursery

Choose a light material that does not break, such as paper, rattan or fabric, and fit the light out of reach of a bunk bed or a mezzanine.

On a modest budget

Six models in ten in the selection are offered at under €500, and more than 250 at under €200, mainly in paper, natural fibres and lacquered metal. Large diameters in glass, in brass or by named designers more often exceed €1,000.