wall sconce for bedside lighting

How To Light Your Bedroom With No-Overhead Lighting

Meggan Wynja

No-Overhead Lighting Solutions

If you’re renting an apartment or moving into a home that doesn’t have ceiling lights, you have a big job ahead of you to ensure sufficient lighting for nighttime needs. This is a common issue in rentals and homes built before the 1980s, so there are plenty of no-overhead lighting solutions that can ensure a combination of great lighting, layered options, and unique aesthetics to fit with your space. 

Check out these overhead lighting alternatives from the experts at Color Cord Company!

3 Light Fixture Ideas

Each of these ideas can be used alone or layered over each other to create the perfect ambiance and versatility you want in your space. They can also work for no-overhead lighting in bedrooms, bathrooms, and living rooms — or anywhere else there seems to be missing fixtures.

  1. Pendant Fixtures

    This no-overhead lighting solution is a favorite for bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas — especially in compact spaces that don’t have room for wide chandeliers or floor lamps. You can place a pendant light fixture over your dining room table, line a few up to illuminate your kitchen, or hang one on each side of your bed for bedside lighting. If your placement is near an outlet, you don’t even need to hardwire your pendant! Simply run your color cord along the wall and ground with swag hooks and plug it in!

  2. Wall Sconces

    no-overhead lighting solution for bedrooms

    If you want light fixtures that feel a little more secure and add a layer of light at the outskirts of any space, wall sconces are your no-overhead lighting solution. We offer both hardwired and plug-in wall sconces that provide you the versatility you need to illuminate your space whether you have access to a junction box or not. 

    We love no-overhead lighting in bedrooms using wall sconces because you can place them by your headboard so they cast a light right where it needs to be when you’re reading a book or lounging in bed, and they don’t take up space on your bedside table.

  3. Semi-Flush Lighting

    Some people really prefer overhead lighting to fully illuminate a room. When you have the option to install overhead lights yourself, we recommend flush mounted fixtures as an overhead lighting alternative. With this style of lighting, you can customize the height of your fixture, provide the ambient light layer, and play with aesthetics using unique shades, cages, and light bulb styles that wouldn’t otherwise be visible in recessed lighting styles. 

Plug-In vs. Hardwired

black plug-in pendant light fixture in hallway glass globe hardwired bathroom wall sconce

Some spaces only provide you access to outlets when adding light fixtures. But if you have the option of junction boxes, you may not be sure which no-overhead lighting solution is best for your needs. Check out this breakdown for the pros and cons of hardwired vs. plug-in light fixtures:

Plug-In Lighting Pros

  • Easier to install without professional help or specialized tools
  • Usually more affordable than hardwired options
  • Portable and versatile, so you can move them whenever you want
  • More diverse array of design options with modularity to swap out shades and bulbs

Plug-In Lighting Cons

  • Visible cords can detract from the appearance of your space
  • Plug-in fixtures typically can’t handle the same wattage bulbs as hardwired. 
  • Lower wattage light bulb options mean you need more fixtures for the same level of illumination 
  • Loose cords can be a tripping hazard

Hardwired Lighting Pros

  • Fixtures are fixed in place and offer more stability than plug-ins
  • Lack of cords for no-overhead lighting solutions means a neater look
  • Hardwiring results in safer lighting because there are no cords to trip over or pieces that will fray
  • You can use higher-wattage bulbs in hardwired lighting for extra illumination

Hardwired Lighting Cons

  • Hardwired fixtures may require professional installation with higher upfront costs
  • These fixtures offer limited versatility, and you can’t just move them around if you feel they look better elsewhere
  • It’s harder to change the look and feel of hardwired fixtures without paying fees to un-install and reinstall your lighting

Looking at these pros and cons, which no-overhead lighting solution makes the most sense for you?

DIY vs. Ready-Made

In addition to deciding between hardwired and plug-in fixtures, you also need to decide between DIY styles and ready-made or AiO (all-in-one) no-overhead lighting solutions. While DIY allows you more customization capabilities, you need to put a lot more work into figuring out which styles you like, making sure you’re buying all the accessories for installation, and putting together your fixture before install. With ready-made overhead lighting alternatives, your upfront costs are higher, but aesthetics are more cohesive and installation is simpler.

At Color Cord Company, we offer both AiO and modular options in our unique collections. However, our AiO fixtures can help streamline your design process. Here are a few of our favorite collections to help you find your ideal no-overhead lighting solution.

  • Boutique - An earth-toned twist on retro aesthetics reinterprets the 1960s style through a contemporary lens. Browse fixtures in natural tones and rich forest hues.
  • Totally! - A brighter take on industrial style, these metal fixtures feature angular shapes and highlighter colors that truly pop.
  • Modern Science Project - A collaboration that explores functional ceramics, this collection features whimsical geometric shapes, dreamy ombre hues, and iridescent finishes.
  • Mod Globe - For those mid-century modern lovers, the light fixtures in this collection all feature glass globe shades. Find globes in various sizes and finishes for pendants and flush mounted fixtures.

FAQs for No-Overhead Lighting Solutions 

Finding no-overhead lighting for bedrooms, kitchens, and living rooms can be complicated, but Color Cord Company is here with answers. Review the information for some of the most common concerns here.

Is there a name for overhead lighting alternatives?

Yes! If you’re searching for no-overhead lighting solutions, you’re looking for indirect lighting.

What is a flush mount fixture?

A flush mounted fixture is an installation that lies directly against a surface with no gaps.

Why do some people hate overhead lights?

Overhead lights can create shadows or illuminate a single spot instead of diffusing across the entire space. Most people prefer to combine overhead and indirect lighting to create a layered lighting design.

What are the pros of indirect lights?

Indirect lights can angle in nearly any direction, making them a more versatile lighting solution. You can also place them almost anywhere, including on columns and walls. Additionally, indirect lights create a softer, low-contrast lighting scheme that makes a space feel more intimate and comfortable.

Shop Now!

With our guide for no-overhead lighting in bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and living rooms, you have the tools you need to light up your life! Start exploring your options at Color Cord Company for design inspiration from our team.

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