Bedside Pendants or not?

10 years ago

The recent article on "14 Creative Ways to Pull Off Bedside Pendant Lights" got me thinking about our bedside lighting.

At the moment, we've got two dimmable downlights on each side of the bed, which we're hoping to replace with two pendants. We like the idea of timber and black pendants to compliment both our timber bed frame and black window frames.

But will it look odd to have the cords falling across/in front of the window?

Featured Answer

scottevie

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

Perhaps you could hook the pendant cords up and out, moving the bedside tables out like above suggestion. http://carolreeddesign.blogspot.com.au/2010/05/how-to-swag-pendant.html

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Comments (29)

User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Are the bedside tables attached to the bed or can you move them out a bit? Then the light cords shouldn't fall across the window. Would make bed making a bit easier, too.
Pazz
Original Author
10 years ago
thanks Tribble, the bedside tables are not attached and be moved, but the light points are already there, i.e. the two downlights above, which as you can see from the pic are "within" the window, but I think what you're ultimately saying is that we should move those light points across, which is what we're hoping to avoid if we can :/
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Hi nayb, I think this entirely possible - in our practice we often need to work with 2.4m - 2.5m high ceilings and so we have a range of pendants we use that can work in this space. For living areas you generally need to allow for around a 100 - 150mm drop/clearance from the ceiling, which generally limits the pendant overall height to around 350mm max, so that most people can walk underneath without hitting their heads. In a bedroom scenario such as the one you are describing, you have much more flexibility. Take note of the pendant hanging height in many bedroom photos, where pendants are often used as bedside lamps. Here the general rule of thumb is from 1.2m - 1.4m above floor level to the underside of the lamps (or lower if the bedside tables are lower!). With your pendant however, I am assuming its a 'normal' central one which happens to be located near the foot of your bed. You could chose a medium-sized one at around 1.9m above floor level so that you didn't feel as if you were walking into it, or you could choose a more sculptural statement pendant as a feature - like the bedside pendants - and hung perhaps as low as 1.7 - 1.8m above floor level. You would be advised to choose one that was not glary, and preferably on a dimmer. This is a good article on pendant light heights; http://stylecurator.com.au/what-height-to-hang-pendant-lights/
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User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Yep, you need an electrician, mate. Have you seen any nice lights you like?
Pazz
Original Author
10 years ago
hahaha... thanks Tribble, yes we have an electrician who can move the points that the builder put in the damn wrong spots!... but was just hoping to avoid that... so I guess the cords across the window is a "no" :/

thanks Scott, I'd seen these before and not a huge fan, but definitely something we might look into if costs become an issue

as for the type of pendants, I'm thinking something simple, quite like cylindrical ones and probably black & timber... inspiration from that houzz photo
User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Scottevie makes an excellent point.

i would get a wide pool of light so you can read in bed. A wide drum , cone, or frosted glass shade.
Najeebah
10 years ago
In my opinion, the cords over the window wouldn't be noticeable enough to look bad
girlguides
10 years ago
No - will give BEDHEAD more definition
girlguides
10 years ago
Ie hanging pendants won't look odd but can interfere with bed making
I have pendant on my side in corner as read more in bed but not on side near ensuite door just a lamp
User
10 years ago
Girl guides, do you think a dark feature wall there?
azztyson
10 years ago
I agree with najeebah ,they would probably need to be hung higher though or you could hit your head as they will not be over side table.And as mentioned in the right shape and material it could work ?
Pazz
Original Author
10 years ago
Tribble, yes haven't discounted different shapes pendants, and quite like ones like this too
Pazz
Original Author
10 years ago
we also thought about a dark feature wall at that end, even thinking like a seagrass wallpaper in charcoal in which case I'd probably go with timber & concrete pendants along those lines
User
10 years ago
Yes, wider is better, or you will get shadow on the bed.
cloudpants
10 years ago
Agree with above advice about stringing them out so that they are in the optimal position.. Different options here for inspiration...
Pazz
Original Author
10 years ago
thanks all, given me plenty of options to think about, we'll have to work out what we want and cost... we'll keep you posted :)
KK1000
10 years ago
It would look great just keep cords on the side of the window and get a nice Roman blind that starts under the corniness so it doesn't look small and silly sitting in the middle of the wall.
Pazz
Original Author
10 years ago
thanks oskuee, don't mind roman blinds but the house is quite contemporary so we'll probably just have some roller blinds there... I should mention there are two more windows on the left side of that room and four more in the WIR, but window dressing's another dilemma and probably best left to another discussion :)
KK1000
10 years ago
All this images below are modern places you just have to pick the right texture and colour , roller blind is to simple.
Pazz
Original Author
10 years ago
thanks oskuee, I do like romans but think they're better suited for windows with a longer drop, we'd struggle to get 3x roman folds in our type of windows, all three of which are highlight windows with only 600mm drop, so we're thinking more block out roller blinds with sheer curtains on the two left hand side windows, it's ok if the window above the bed is simple as we'll probably pain or wallpaper around for a bit of a feature wall
KK1000
10 years ago
Yea I see your point, have a look at cellular blinds they fit inside the window but look better then roller blinds, and if you have really modern house don't use curtains. Have a look at shutters as well..you would be able to control light.
Pazz
Original Author
10 years ago
yes we've considered cellular blinds and will look into all options when the time comes, but for the moment we've shelved the window coverings as there are other priorities around the house, but thanks for your suggestions :)
LesleyH
10 years ago
We bought two lovely black shades. Looked lovely but limited light was emitted. Disappointing.
nancymiller48
10 years ago
I agree that wider shades will throw better light - consider what you need the lights for - just ambient lighting and for access at night or are you wanting to read in bed? As for the blinds; I have used Duette blinds (as produced by Luxaflex in NZ) - these are honeycomb cellular in construction - excellent insulation and VERY neat and modern - fold to a tiny band at the top of the window reveal. They come in many colours and have variety of means of raising/lowering, all very tidy and simple. They are more expensive than roller blinds but the benefits outweigh the price in y mind! Would suit your wide shallow windows perfectly!
Pazz
Original Author
10 years ago
thanks nancy, yes we looked at duette blinds and may well consider them when the time comes... costly tho as we've got seven of those windows... but maybe worth it just for the master where we can splurge a little ;)
dohraime
10 years ago
Worth a chat with the electrician to see what they can do without moving the points.

You might be able to have some sort of track, bar (or chassis?) attached to ceiling and have cords of pendants descending from the ends. I don't know the correct terminolgy of what I am trying to describe but it would be like taking the cord across horizontally like shown above, but this part of the cord disguised in a fixed bar. Similar to top piece of the light in this image, but could be white like ceiling and even have base of pendants attached to the bar.

Of course, it may end up costing same as having the points moved so...
dohraime
10 years ago
Or could the pendants be connected at existing points, cords taken up then dropped back through ceiling, then something used flush with the ceiling to cover downlights??
petapea
10 years ago
Hi Pazz, I really like your idea of seagrass wallpaper behind the bed, it would add texture and warmth plus make more of a feature of the window on that wall (compared with the other windows). If the wallpaper is dark enough, the concrete pendants would look great (but the cord will definately have to be jigged because you'll ruin the clean black rectangle of your window if the cord cuts it). I'm personally a fan of the Tom Dixon Beat pendant shape, and curved or rounded pendant would also soften the room which has lots of angular edges, plus it will throw wider light if the mouth is large enough! It's a lovely room, would love to see pic when you make your final selection! :-)
Julie Walton
10 years ago
Would have to agree with hooking up and out. I think this approach would look great using natural timber and black cabling. Even a large glass globes would look great. It all depends on the mood you want to create.