How can I get the best lighting for my room?

Question

I don't have a main light because it was replaced by a fan. The only light sources I have in my 15'x15' bedroom is a strand of 100 lights over my one window. So it's pretty dark. I'd like my room to have more lighting, so I can study. But I don't want it to look like I'm being abducted by aliens or I'm being spotlighted by the FBI. I want warm lights, but strong enough that it is fully light (and I don't really want to worry about the lights getting too hot and burning my house down....)

So.... 
Warm lights (as opposed to the intense LED alien lights or the bug zapping fluorescent lights)

and very well lit, but not so much that you have to squint at it

and not extremely expensive or difficult to put up

I'm not looking for fancy in-style fashion designing lights. I'm looking for practical lights that make the room feel warm and comfortable enough to study without hurting or straining your eyes.

c_kayak_fun · Accepted Answer

I was a lighting designer for a while.  I have some suggestions -- for studying the best is a fluorescent or LED task light, preferably either a desk light or a floor lamp with a flexible "gooseneck" or extendable arm so you can position it so it lights up what you are working on but does not shine in your eyes.  My favorite is one  by IKEA -- I have one at my office desk at work and also at all my work surfaces in my house. They don't make it any more but this is similar:

http://www.amazon.com/LEDwholesalers-3-level-Dimmable-Folding-2403WH/dp/B00ATWMLQU/ref=lp_1063292_1_8?s=lamps-light&ie=UTF8&qid=1416334576&sr=1-8

You can get versions that mount to a wall or stand on the floor too.  For general lighting, you want indirect lighting, not overhead, so just get a regular end table type lamp of any kind and use the new Phillips LED Slimstyle bulbs (you can get them at Home Depot) which make a nice warm light and are very low wattage -- in fact they stay so cool while on that you can touch them with your bare hands.  Get the ones that are equivalent to 60 watt incandescent.They are only 10.5 watts in operation.

Place a couple of the table lamps around the room, maybe one on your dresser and one beside your bed.  Between those and your task light you will be able to adjust the illumination in the room to any level you need for both ambiance and working.

Ignore the suggestions to add lights to the fan -- those are always horrible and give the room a harsh look that is useless for any purpose.  I hate fan lights and always remove them if I buy a house with any installed.  In fact, overhead direct lighting is just about the ugliest you can have in any house and quite useless, including the ubiquitous recessed can downlights so many people add to their homes.  They are industrial looking and create ugly shadows.  The famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright refused to put direct lighting in any of the homes he designed and used to be upset if the owners added it.  I agree with him.  I don't have any lights in my house that are more than 6' off the floor -- even in hallways and in bathroom showers I mount sconces on the walls.

ShortyG · Answer

The easiest and simplest way would be to replace the fan with a fan/light combination. Then you have the fan on, or the light, or both. The only other logical alternative without doing some rewiring is lamps.

Sciencenut · Answer

I think you might consider a floor lamp with a high intensity halogen bulb that shines light up onto the ceiling. It will illuminate your room in a very natural way. Another lamp could be added to your desk or easy chair to enhance lighting for reading and studying.

greenfrogs · Answer

add lights to the fan

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How can I get the best lighting for my room?

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