Let there be light

Having just one central pendant light in a bedroom probably won’t cut it. It will give good general light but won’t be very atmospheric and won’t provide specific lighting for tasks like reading or finding items in your wardrobe.

If you read in bed, you’ll need good task lighting either with an adjustable desk-style lamp or wall lights. If you’re part of a couple and one of you likes to read later into the night, consider a small bendy light that will allow you to see but not disturb your partner.

If you regularly get up in the night to use the bathroom or check on young children, consider low set sensor nightlights – these can be wired in, plugged into a socket or powered by batteries and stuck onto the wall.

A strip of LED light in the wardrobe will make identifying your favourite black dress or pair of jeans easier. A floor or table lamp that casts a soft pool of golden light will be a good moodsetter – for romance or simply for feeling relaxed.

The type of light and bulb you use could also make a difference. White and blue light may make you more alert so are not ideal for winding down at the end of the day, but they are good for task lighting. Warm-hued bulbs are best for bedrooms, even in your reading lamps.

Lighting also affects how we see paint colours so the shade you have chosen and fallen in love with during the day may look quite different in your bedroom at night, especially when it comes to subtle neutrals. A warm biscuity tone may look grey-tinged under whiter lights, or a soothing clay colour can turn orangey under warm light. To avoid this, paint an A2 sized piece of card in the Resene testpot colour of your choice, pin it to the wall of your bedroom and view it under all types of light – daylight, when your general lighting is on, and when you just have lamps or bedside lights turned on.

Try choosing lower wattage bulbs to keep the mood relaxed or choose lampshades that diffuse brightness. Dimmers are useful in the bedroom, as are smart bulbs that respond to vocal or phone-app commands to take things down a notch.

If you live in a city, it can sometimes be difficult to cut down on the light pollution from street-lamps, nearby storefronts or signage. But finding ways to cut down on unwanted light seeping in at night will make falling asleep that much easier. Seek out window treatments that will obscure outside brightness at night but don't block it during the day: Lightweight curtains or Roman blinds in a beautiful fabric with blockout lining behind will work a treat.

The Resene Curtain Collection is designed to work with popular Resene colours. The selection includes patterns and colours through to neutrals designed to complement a wide range of colour schemes. Select your favourite Resene Curtain Collection fabric and purchase custom made curtains from your local Resene ColorShop and get them delivered to your home or get your curtain specialist to produce curtains/ roman blinds or other drapery to suit. These fabrics are suited for window treatments and other soft furnishing items.

Touch the wall lighting

Have you ever fumbled in the dark trying to find the light switch? Or tried to reach an awkwardly placed light switch and found yourself wishing that it wasn't so hard to reach?

Resene SmartTouch conductive paint makes turning lights on and off so much easier. Rather than stumbling around in the dark trying to find the light switch or twisting yourself into a contortionist trying to reach an awkward switch, your wall can become the switch with Resene SmartTouch. Simply tap the wall finished in Resene SmartTouch to switch the lights on and off.

Perfect for beside a bed, or on the wall on the way to the bathroom.

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