How I Brighten My Room With No Overhead Lights
Having no overhead lights can pose a challenge if you want your bedroom to have a decent light source.
However, overhead lights are not the only way to brighten and make a room glow.
Many different lighting options will still illuminate your space while making up for the lack of an overhead source.
In this article, I’d love to share with you my best ways to light any bedroom room with no overhead lights that have worked well for me. Each option is affordable and can enhance your space.
I’m certain you’ll find these ideas helpful too.
Before we get into the intricate details, here is a quick breakdown of the different types of lights I use to brighten the room especially when there’s no overhead ceiling lights:
- Lampshades – The obvious and affordable choice that makes sense. Place at least 2 matching table lamps on either side of the bed with another table lamp on dresser/desk (optional).
- Floor Lamps – Overarching floor lamps can brighten an entire area of the room. Position near the bed or by an accent chair.
- Pendant Lights – Plug-in pendant lights are a great alternative to ceiling lights and boost the overall aesthetic appeal of the room.
- Portable Lights – Battery-operated portable lights are an affordable and easy solution.
- Candles – Great for a romantic and calming bedroom space. Preferably flameless or LED candles.
- Wall Sconces – Illuminates and highlights a wall beautifully adding a fresh and modern feature to the space. They look amazing when placed on either side of the bed.
- String Lights – The perfect solution for ambient lighting and illuminating a bedroom.
- LED Strips Lights – A trendy solution to achieve a space drenched in your favorite color.
Table of Contents
Ways To Light A Room With No Overhead Lights: 7 Best Alternatives
1. Lampshades & Floor Lamps
If there’s one way you can light or better yet, illuminate the bedroom is to use lampshades or a floor lamp.
One or two lampshades positioned on the bedside table will give you a sufficient amount of light that feels natural, warm, and comfortable.
This light source is ideal for creating a comfortable environment to relax and set up for the night.
Adding a floor lamp to the bedroom will give you an even greater and brighter light alongside the lampshades which makes it another ideal overhead light alternative.
A floor lamp is also an attractive feature to add more detail and interest to the room.
I recommend including a floor lamp if you have a large bedroom or if you want to highlight and brighten a specific area of the bedroom, such as the corner.
Here are a few benefits of using table lamps and floor lamps in a bedroom:
- A cost-effective lighting and energy-saving solution.
- Provides ambient lighting that can be dimmed according to your needs and mood.
- Increases the aesthetics and the appeal of the space.
- Versatile and flexible. Floor lamps/table lamps can be adjusted or repositioned at any time.
To achieve the desired amount of light in the room, start by introducing table lamps or floor lamps into your bedroom to see which one works best for you.
2. String Lights/LED Strip Lights
String lights are a go-to decorative accessory for the festive seasons but for creating an aesthetically pleasing and chic bedroom, string lights can do an incredible job lighting up a room.
If you don’t mind your bedroom being overly lit, string lights are a creative and unique alternative.
They’re also rather cheap and easy to install. You could hang them on the wall or drape them around a mirror, bookshelf, or across a desk.
They also come in a variety of different lighting options ranging from warm white, soft warm, or soft white light. Use the remote control to find the best setting that will suit your space.
Alternatively, you could go with these trendy LED strip lights you often see on TikTok or in YouTube videos.
Here’s an easy tutorial I’ve found on how to install LED strips in any room from Family Handyman:
This does a great job lighting up the entire bedroom in any color of your choice.
This will give you the freedom to choose between a bright blue space on Monday or a rose-tinted heaven on Tuesday.
With the remote controls, adjustable lights, and brightness, you can always keep your bedroom interesting and fun.
3. 3D Lights
I purchased this awesome 3D galaxy crystal ball and jellyfish light recently to add a cool little feature to my bedroom but I also needed something that would make my bedroom feel cozy enough to wind down and relax.
The picture does a poor job of displaying the beauty of these galaxy lights but they actually give off this lovely warm glow that makes the room feel ultra cozy and intimate.
Here’s what the jellyfish light looks like:
This light is not as bright as the 3D galaxy lights but I think it adds a cool decorative feature to the space.
I also have this color-changing moon lamp that looks amazing on a bedside table or desk:
You can find this moon lamp available here.
However, as I mentioned, these portable lights are mostly great for decorative purposes or lighting up a small area in your room.
You could always supplement with table lamps or a floor lamp if you wanted a brighter space.
These lights have been the best thing I’ve purchased so far and I use them just about every single day.
My room is pretty small but these lights pack a punch in illuminating the space. It’s also a cheap option to light a bedroom but you do get an awesome return with its beautiful design.
4. Candles
I’m sure the first thing you may have thought of to light your bedroom is candles and yes, candles will create a beautiful, warm, and romantic ambiance especially if you light up a few and place them in the best spots that will give the best brightness.
With candles, the options are nearly endless. If you want your bedroom to be illuminated while smelling divine, scented candles are a great choice.
The only downside to lighting a bedroom with candles is the safety issue.
Accidents can and do happen so this option can only be recommended if you do so with extra precaution and attention.
Having one candle is generally fine but if you’re having more than one candle, this could pose a risk.
Candles should never be placed near flammable items such as hair spray, perfumes, or a curtain or duvet.
However, there is always the option of using LED candles instead as this would be a safer option.
5. Wall Sconces
Wall-mounted sconces are another smart way to light a bedroom with no overhead lights. This is a great option if you want to maximize and save on floor or table space.
There are so many designs to choose from and you can add an interesting new feature to your wall décor.
Wall sconces are also ideal for creating a warm, ambient light which is perfect for your bedroom space.
Depending on how bright you’d like your bedroom to be, this will indicate just how many wall sconces are needed.
But most of the time, just two wall sconces will do the trick.
Battery-operated picture lights could also be a smart option to light up your walls. So, do keep this in mind!
6. Pendant Lights
Installing a pendant light in your bedroom would work well if you have no overhead lights but would really like to have one.
Having one installed directly above your bed or close by near a nightstand or accent chair will give you that perfect overhead lighting.
Just look at how beautiful this pendant light is positioned directly above the bedside table:
This also adds a beautiful and unique feature to the space that enhances the overall appeal.
I also found this amazing bamboo pendant lantern on Amazon that will light up the corner of your room perfectly.
If you’re searching for an ambient light feature to add, this might be the one you need!
7. Mirrors
There’s this cool trick I came across recently and it involves using mirrors to bounce and reflect light into the space.
This can make your bedroom feel brighter and more spacious but if you position the mirror opposite or near one of your current lights, the room will look and feel brighter.
With that said, whether you go with table lamps, floor lamps, or use a fun and creative 3D light to illuminate your bedroom, there’s no reason to feel like you’re missing out on having an overhead light.
I’m always open to new suggestions and ideas so if I’ve missed out on something, do drop your ideas below!
If you need more lighting ideas, you’ll probably like the following:
