10 Best Small Bedroom Lighting Ideas
Consider a small bedroom a blank canvas, one on which you can try many types of lights and placements around the room. This freedom will enable you to play with the lighting to discover the best options for your space and mood. Whether you’re redesigning your small bedroom, moving into a new one, or trying to make an existing space work even better, here are some small space lighting solutions that will help you make the most of your sleeping quarters.

1. Optimize Your Windows
If your small bedroom has a window or two and you aren’t worried about privacy, keep your drapes open or leave them off completely to let as much natural light in as possible. Cover your window panes with privacy glass or less permanent stick-on glazing if privacy is an issue.

You can also use curtains made of light fabric that block outside viewers but still let the light shine in. Alternatively, cover just the bottom half of your window with a light curtain and leave the top bare so the sun can shine in and even nurture some bedroom plants.

2. Layer Multiple Sources of Light
Layering multiple sources of accent lights is a time-tested trick that keeps your small bedroom appearing multi-dimensional and larger than it is. Numerous light sources will make your small bedroom feel less crowded and more open. Accent lighting can include small wall sconces or table lamps, LED light strips and string lights. Each adds depth through its unique features and, if placed effectively, will complement each other to enlarge your space.

3. Choose Battery-Powered Puck Lights Instead of Hard Wiring!

Installing battery-powered puck lights instead of hard-wired lights is an excellent solution for those decorating a rental space rather than their own home. Battery-powered puck lights don’t require any alterations to the existing walls and can be moved easily when a new decorating idea takes hold.

4. Use Mirrors to Reflect light
Mirrors are great options for making a small bedroom appear larger and adding light where you need it. They can be neutral or add some contrast to your bedroom decor with a perfect blend of fashion and function. To bring the most light into your bedroom with a mirror, shine a floor lamp in its direction for additional light. Or, place the mirror adjacent to or opposite a window. This trick will increase the natural light reflected in your space.

5. Remember Scale and Proportion
It’s important to remember scale and proportion when selecting lighting for a small bedroom. For example, oversized ceiling lights and floor lamps can make your room feel too crowded. Instead, choose lighting solutions that are in proportion and scale with the dimensions of your small bedroom. This solution will help your small bedroom feel even larger than it is by leaving room to breathe.

6. Use Textured Lighting Solutions
Textured lighting solutions are highly effective at making a small bedroom appear larger. Pair textured lighting fixtures with green plants to create an indoor oasis. Choose wall sconces with natural fiber wicker globes or a table lamp made of wood to add textures and extra layers of design to distract from the small size of your bedroom.

8. Try Plug-In Wall-Mounted Lights
For small bedrooms with low ceilings, pendant lighting can be intrusive and physically hinder the best use of your space. Similarly, small bedrooms have limited floor space. Therefore, choose wall-mounted sconces to keep your bedroom floor clear. Additionally, consider plug-in options that work in existing electrical outlets to avoid getting an electrician in to do the wiring.

Similar to table lamps, wall sconces can work nicely to light up a featured work of art or to add some elegance on either side of your bed. They can add an elegant light to your bedroom that compliments light from other lighting options. In addition, they can make your room look more tended to and even larger if they’re framing a mirror.

9. Use a Flush Mounted Ceiling Light
Flat light fixtures can look classy and chic while complementing both traditional and modern decor. For a slightly more elaborate solution, paneled hanging lights often feature intricate details and patterns and only hang a short distance from the ceiling.

10. Have Fun With LED Strip Lights and String Lights
For an outside-the-box solution to small bedroom lighting, consider using LED string lights that hide in plain sight. String lights can provide a surprising amount of light for the small space they occupy. Or, you can use them to add some extra fun to your lighting choices. For example, window string lights hung on the inside of curtains, across the curtain rod, or directly in the window are playful ways to add lighting and interest to a small bedroom.

Additionally, you can hang some string lights directly on the wall or drape them over a large vase. For a creative side table centerpiece or bookshelf highlight, try placing a string of battery-powered or solar lights into a prismed glass bowl and watch the lovely colors dance on your walls.

With such practical small bedroom lighting ideas for your home, you’ll be sure to create a bright and welcoming space. And since all of these options can work together nicely, creating a unique and functional space is easy. The important thing to remember is to have some fun when making your choices and take advantage of this opportunity to make your bedroom your own.

If you’re looking for a convenient, comfortable and affordable living arrangement, contact the friendly team at Village at Juban Lakes Apartments in Denham Springs, Louisiana, to learn what they have to offer.

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Maximizing your storage space in a rental property can be a challenge. For a start, where you’re currently living probably isn’t your forever home, and then there are rules that your landlord might put in place about attaching items to walls.

There are numerous options of shelving on the market, but they essentially come down to three categories, bracket, stand-alone, and floating shelves. Each comes with its pros and cons.

If you’re looking for the best storage solution for your rental property, then this article is for you. Read on to find out which types of renter-friendly shelves are right for you.

What Are the Main Types of Shelves?

If you walk through any home decor store, undoubtedly you’re faced with a multitude of different shelf options. They’re available in a range of styles, materials, and of course every budget, but when it comes down to it, they all fall into one of three categories; bracket, stand-alone, and floating shelves.

Living in a rental property can mean you’re limited to how much you can add or change the interior. Some landlords are quite happy for you to drill holes into the wall, as long as you fill and repaint the wall when you leave, while other landlords are a lot more strict and won't allow you to put even a tack-pin into the wall.

There are definite advantages and disadvantages to each type of shelf, twin that with any rules your rental contact has in place, and there can be quite a lot to consider when purchasing a set of new shelves.

Bracket Shelves – The Pros and Cons

Pros – Bracket shelves come in a multitude of styles. They can look utilitarian or functional – like ones that you may see in an office or garage, or they can look chic. Essentially, they are versatile, and you’ll find no shortage of designs to suit the room you want to use them in.

One of the biggest advantages of bracket shelves is that they are incredibly strong and durable. Because the bracket usually works on a triangulation system, it enables them to take heavier loads.

They are easy to install, and most home DIYers will have no issues doing this with some basic tools such as a spirit level and drill.

Because they can take much more weight, they are available in a large range of materials, including solid wood. Twin this with some beautiful rose-gold plated brackets, and you can create a stylish and high-quality shelf.

Cons – The biggest downside to using bracket shelving is that it will damage your walls. So, read your tenancy agreement to find out if you’re able to go for this option.

Also because the shelves can take a great load, then you’ll need to be very particular about what you mount them into. If the walls of your home are plaster, with minimal structural, support beams or batons, you may have to reevaluate what shelf you use.

Stand Alone Shelves – The Pros and Cons

Pros – If you’re living in a rental property with strict rules about what you can and can't do, then the biggest advantage of stand-alone shelving is that they won't damage the walls.

Also, if you’re an absolute DIY-phobe, or don’t have access to tools, then buying something ready assembles is a lot less hassle. Because they are a solid unit, they are also strong, and so can take a lot of weight.

Frequently, stand-alone shelf units have additional storage features, including hooks and cupboards, making them ideal if you need an all-in-one organization system.

Cons – Although it’s great to be able to buy something that’s a ready-built solid piece of furniture, you will have to find a way of transporting it and maneuvering it into your home. Most shops will be able to deliver at an extra fee.

The alternative way of buying a stand-alone shelf is from a home improvement store like IKEA. Most of their furniture comes in a flat packed form, which makes it easier to transport, but you will have to assemble it yourself.

You may also have problems at the end of your tenancy when it comes to moving the item – you’ll either have to disassemble it or hire a removal company if it’s too big to fit in your car.

Stand-alone shelving units can also be more expensive, this is often due to them using a lot more material than just a set of shelves. Solid wood versions are better quality overall, but expensive, so you may want to opt for laminated wood if you’re on a budget.

Renter Friendly Floating Shelves – The Pros and Cons

Pros – The biggest plus with using floating shelves is that they look aesthetically pleasing and are very much on trend right now. They are available in a whole range of materials, and due to tot the way they are constructed – they are often laminated – they are also affordable.

You can also customize them, by adding a wood stain or paint to the surface if they don’t match your existing interior.

When you buy floating shelves, it comes with everything in the kit to install, them. So even the least savvy DIYer will be able to put them up. It’s easy to put up floating shelves, all you need is a spirit level to check they are level, a tape measure, to check it’s in the middle of the wall, and an electric drill.

Floating shelves are perfect for creating a focal point in any room, by having a small selection of a few statement items.

Cons – The downside of using floating shelves, is that they aren’t good if you’re intending to put a lot of heavy items on them. So you will want to consider what things you’re intending on storing.

Floating shelves also damage the walls as you will need to make several holes to put the mounting system in, your landlord may not allow you to do this. Also, be aware of what the wall is made of, if it’s plasterboard then you may not be able to use this type of shelf.

Also if you have a lot of items to store, then floating shelves can end up looking cluttered (you might be better to go for cupboard shelves if you have a lot of stuff that needs to be hidden away).

Need More Help Deciding Which Option Is Best for You?

So, do you know which shelf is best for you? If you’re looking for the right shelving for your space, and still not sure, then speak to a member of our helpful team at Village at Juban Lake.

Our team will discuss in more depth whether brackets, standalone, or floating shelves are the best option for your home. Our service is second to none which is reflected in our reviews. We look forward to hearing from you.

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There are a number of options for doing so. Curious as to the best of these options? Then read on because we’re going to review them in detail below. 
 

First of All: What Does Your Landlord Think?

The very first thing to do when hanging curtains in your apartment is to ask your landlord about their specifications. Are they all right with you putting up a permanent curtain rod? Take note that some landlords might not like the idea of your drilling holes in the wall, or even hammering in nails. 

If your landlord doesn't mind, you have a variety of options for installing curtains. If your landlord is strict about the subject, your options are bound to be quite limited. 

Keep this in mind while reading through the rest of this article. 
 

Nail in Curtain Brackets

If your landlord has no qualms about nails or screws, you could quite simply attach brackets to the area above your window and then place a curtain rod on them. The key here is to ensure that the brackets are lined up straight. To do this, use a level. 

Then, it's just as simple as either hammering some nails into the wall or drilling some screws into the wall. Generally speaking, you need only two nails or screws in order to do this. 
 

Use Adhesive Magnets

If your curtain rod is made out of metal, you could set it up using adhesive magnets. This is as simple as sticking the magnets to the area above your window, and then sticking the metal curtain rod to the magnets. 

You can find adhesive magnets online at a variety of retailers. They usually go for between $10 and $20. Make sure that your chosen magnets are strong enough to hold your curtain rod over time. 
 

Consider Temporary Shades

Another option to consider when hanging curtains in your apartment is to use temporary shades. These are shades are considered temporary in that they don't require the drilling of holes or hammering of nails. 

These renter-friendly shades use an adhesive. Therefore, all you have to do to set them up is peel off the adhesive cover and stick them to the top portion of the window bay. 

You can then adjust the height of the shade by moving the attachments at the bottom. These come in a variety of styles, most of which are extremely easy to use. 

Temporary shades often come in white but are available in a number of other colors as well. While they might not possess the aesthetic of top-end curtains, they're still quite pleasant to look at. 

In some apartments, these might be your only option. This is because some apartment complexes forbid their tenants from setting up permanent curtains. 
 

Apply Adhesive Hooks

 
Something else you could consider is to use adhesive hooks. This renter-friendly option can be used for a number of purposes, like hanging clothes or towels. However, they could also be used for holding a curtain rod.

They're extremely easy to use. Just rip off the adhesive cover and attach the hook to the wall. Space two hooks out at the edges of the top of your window, and you should be able to set up a curtain rod. 

Wondering where to find adhesive hooks? They should be available online and in big box stores. Command Hooks are perhaps the most popular. 
 

Hang the Curtain from the Ceiling

If, for whatever reason, you're unable to hang the curtain from the area above the window, you might instead be able to hang the curtain from the ceiling. You can do this in a number of ways. 

If you're allowed, you can use nails or screws to install curtain brackets. If you're not allowed to use nails or screws, you could instead use adhesive hooks or magnets or some other adhesive entity. 

There are some benefits to hanging curtains this way, with the primary benefit being an aesthetic one. Ceiling curtains provide a great deal of aesthetic length to a room. As such, they help the room to look more dimensional. 
 

Employ Double-Sided Tape

If you don't care much about the aesthetics of your curtains, or if you're only going to be using the apartment building for a very short time, you could make do with double-sided tape. 

Use one side of the tape to attach it to the wall. Then, use the other side of the tape to hold up the curtain. Once the curtain has been attached, you won't be able to see the tape at all. 

It might not be as reliable as other methods. However, it will, more or less, get the job done. And if the curtain falls down, just put up some new tape. 
 

Renter Friendly Curtains

There are many different ways to hang curtains. This is only a small selection of the total ways available to you. If one of these works for you, then great. If not, you’re sure to be able to find a different way to make it happen. 

Looking for an apartment in which to hang curtains? If so, look no further than Village at Juban Lakes, the top apartment complex in Denham Springs, Louisiana. 

Check out our floor plans now!

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