Are there any standard dimensions used for placement of lighting around the headboard of a bed for use as reading lights? In the past, I have had the bed and lighting on hand so I could experiment with the best locations to suit my clients needs. This time, I have neither a bed or fixtures, but we do know where the bed will be placed in the room (I can get headboard dimensions from the furniture manufacturer). I presented three options to my clients, but they are not sure which to go with. We will use either fixed wall sconces, pivoting arm lamps, or low voltage track lighting mounted on wall brackets (looks sleek, but I’m having second thoughts about the practicality of this above a headboard). Any help / ideas to get me out of this jam is appreciated ( and I was the one who suggested the reading lamps in the first place – I really need to learn to keep my mouth shut). Thanks!
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I am not sure about the lighting but I think a practical thing to do would be putting outlets in close proximity to both sides of the bed for separate alarm clocks and table lamps. I have one plug centered behind my bed and it is a PITA to get to.
I plan on putting in an outlet on each side of the bed, a wall switch for each light fixture, and a single phone jack behind the bed so a phone can be run to either night stand.
Depends. A tall four post bed doesn't look or work well with wall lights. The ideal spacing, for effective lighting and aesthetic concerns varies between bed sizes and styles.
In a modern setting I like to go with simple sconces that bounce most of their light off the ceiling. Swing arm lamps can be good but they are more difficult to effectively locate. A little easier for swing arm ones that have some vertical adjustment in use. Four inches too high and they don't get the light in the best location. Two inches too low and they are annoying as they catch the eye.
Even if you get them right if the HO gets a new mattress it can end up wrong. Similarly the height of the people makes a difference. A tall person with a short bedmate can make siting difficult. I have sometimes made mock ups and spent time with the people hopping in and out of bed while I held the fixture. Sounds kinky but I tell them that likely whatever I do will be there for twenty years so it is important to get it right.
I once used a hot melt glue gun to temporarily glue up a set of sconces, with cords and switches on the cords, so they could try them for a week. The glue takes some paint with it but this is usually not a problem during a remodel job.
I agree with the mock-ups, etc. I have done this in the past, but that was with the bed and light fixtures on hand. Right now I am flying blind while I await the HO decisions. I guess I was looking for a generic answer to a question which I know doesn't have one. Thanks for the input though, I do appreciate it.
Maveriick is right about the outlets on each side of the bed. When I lay out a house for rough in, I visualize where the bed will be then make sure that I have two outlets on that wall. One for each side of the head board.
If your going to put a switched light above the bed you'll need to figure where you want the switch mounted, then pull a switch loop over to the general area of where the head board is going to be. Leave a big loop coiled up in the wall in the general area of the head board. Make sure the drywallers cover it. When you get ready to do the finish put the bed where it goes and then cut in a box to attach the light to. The wire will be in the general area you reach in the wall and pull it out and hook it up.
Clear as mud?
Who Dares Wins.
Gunner you are a friggin genius!!!I', building my new home and I put some m-16 recessed lights in over the bed.I couldn't figure where to put the switches (one for DW one for me )Your idea should work great Thanks!
They also make remote control light switches that look pretty cool too.
Stay Safe Greg
At your service sir.Who Dares Wins.
I didn't want to get long winded in my posting but I guess I should have been more specific. I am putting in an outlet on each side of the bed as well as a switch for this to be determined light fixture. Here's the hitch. I am working on a masonry wall (lathe and plaster over brick). That is why I am concerned about getting this right at this stage of the project (just finished framing other areas of the room today, doing electrical tommorrow???).
Ohh, then your screwed. Or you could build a flourecent light box like in hotels above the bed. All you would have to do is leave a wire hanging above the general area, the size of the light box will cover the hole.Who Dares Wins.
There are a number of times that a light location will be unknown until the furniture or paintings are in. My electrician will leave the necessary wiring in the stud cavity zig zagging back and forth in the aproximate location. Once the location is decided it is a simple job to cut in a box, grab the wire and make the connection. Reading lights, good reading lights that is, the type that don't reflect off pages and cause eye strain, have a shield to diffuse the direct light. Most true reading lights are the swing arm type, often with adjustability for height. Full spectrum bulbs also help.
See earlier reply to specifically to Gunner and also to others. I wasn't very specific in my posting and left out the fact that this particular wall is lathe and plaster over brick.
My sparky is here wiring all the additions I just finished framing as I type.
I'm having him put an outlet on each side of the bed with a switch just above them on each side for individual needs like lamps, radio, vibrator...lol
Be well
andy
The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
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