Key Points
- Layered lighting is the key to a luxurious-looking bedroom.
- Design professionals recommend at least four light sources in the bedroom for a warm, inviting, and luxurious look.
- This can include overhead lights, table lamps, sconces, and more.
An elevated bedroom doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag, or even a complete redesign. In fact, according to interior designers, one thoughtfully chosen detail can dramatically shift the look and feel of your space, making it feel polished, intentional, and high-end, and that’s lighting.
Specifically, designers point to layered lighting—multiple light sources—as the key to achieving a luxurious look, regardless of your budget. To learn more about layering lighting in the bedroom like a pro, we spoke with an interior designer who shared her top tips. The best part? They’re surprisingly approachable and accessible, and can be adapted to suit any space, budget, and living situation, even renters.
Here’s everything you need to know about elevating your bedroom’s lighting, according to an interior design professional.
Meet the Expert
Marissa Van Noy is an interior designer and co-founder of Three Golden Cranes, an interior design firm founded alongside her mother and sister.
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Beautiful Lighting Instantly Elevates a Bedroom
All professionally designed bedrooms have one thing in common, and that’s layered lighting. It’s a detail many design novices overlook, but once you spot it, you can’t unsee its impact.
Layered lighting brings warmth, improves functionality, and creates a space that feels both luxurious and comfortably lived-in.
Forget the ‘big light’—incorporating multiple light sources into your space means you can skip the harsh overhead lighting and adjust the brightness of your space to match the mood, which is especially important in spaces meant for relaxation, such as the bedroom, says interior designer Marissa Van Noy.
While adding a table lamp or bedside sconce is a strong starting point, Van Noy notes that achieving a truly elevated look goes a step further.
The key lies in both the number of light sources throughout the room and the types of fixtures you choose—elements that together can instantly make a bedroom feel more polished and expensive.
How to Layer Lighting in the Bedroom Like a Pro
Most bedrooms rely on just two light sources: an overhead fixture and a bedside lamp or sconce. But according to Van Noy, that setup only covers about half of what designers recommend for a well-lit, high-end bedroom.
“Other than the overhead lighting, I would recommend having at least three additional lighting sources to set the mood,” she says. “Two on either side of the bed for functionality, and minimally one more in the room (preferably on the opposite side of the room from where you sleep) to carry the glow throughout the room.”
That fourth light should sit at eye level or lower when you’re seated on the bed, Van Noy says. A table lamp next to a chair or sofa, a small pendant tucked into a corner, or even an art light mounted above a framed piece can all work beautifully to round out the lighting scheme.
As for the fixtures themselves, the goal is a soft, flattering glow—nothing harsh or fluorescent. Choosing warm-toned bulbs is essential, but fixture style matters, too. Shades help diffuse light, while designs that balance aesthetics and function elevate the room without sacrificing comfort. Ceiling fans, for instance, are often a sticking point, especially when they’re outdated.
“I like to swap out a bedroom fan for a beautiful chandelier, but if you are someone who loves to keep the fan running, there are lots of great options for fans that double as chandeliers!” Van Noy says. “This is an easy way to add a little glamour or sparkle while still having the fan function.”
Tips for Budget-Conscious Lighting
Not everyone has hundreds, or even thousands, to spend on new light fixtures—and that’s okay. Layered lighting is a design technique that doesn’t require expensive fixtures to work well. If you’re looking to add a luxurious touch to your space on a tight budget, here are a few ideas to help get you started:
- Consider plug-in fixtures (like sconces and chandeliers), which are renter-friendly and don’t require hiring an electrician for installation.
- Scour thrift stores or secondhand marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace to score gently used fixtures at a fraction of the price.
- Swap out standard lightbulbs for smart ones with dimmer controls to soften the light you already have installed.