The Best Bedroom Lighting Inspiration Can Be Found in Hotel Rooms

If you have a thirst for adventure—and cross destinations off your “to visit” list faster than you can say “in-room dining”—you probably agree that a hotel room is not just a convenient place where you can crash after a long day of sight-seeing or lounging by the pool. Truth is, some of the very best hotels make their rooms feel like a home away from home: Somewhere you can unpack all your belongings, throw on a fancy robe, and really chill. 

Comfort aside, a lot of these high-end accommodations are rife with some design ideas we’re itching to bring home with us. Case in point: Lighting. We know what you’re thinking: Since most hotel rooms are decked out with ultra-soft sheets and fancy bathrooms, lighting feels like the decorating dark horse. However, let’s not forget that a good lighting system can quite literally make or break your room’s vibe. And, since so many properties are thinking beyond the typical table lamp, there are plenty of ideas that can even work with even the tiniest bedrooms. (Whether you’re working with a small, city-facing room or a ginormous suite, every square inch matters.) 

Looking for a bright idea? We’re sharing a few hotel lighting ideas that are indisputably illuminating.

Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection in Los Cabos, Mexico

Auberge Resorts Collection

Anyone with a small bedroom can tell you that while a simple table lamp might be status quo, it’s taking up some precious real estate on your nightstand. Fortunately, as Chileno Bay Resort & Residences in Los Cabos proves, it’s possible to have the best of both worlds. To make shine and storage of equal importance, the Auberge property placed a table lamp on a floating shelf. Not only is this an easy DIY project most design lovers can take on in their own space, but you’ll also have ample room to fill your nightstand with books, a glass of water, and your phone charger.

Romer House Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawaii

Romer House

Another way to create some more breathing room in your nighttime routine is with some sconces. Not only will they keep tabletop clutter to a minimum, but they’ll also  elevate your bedroom decor. (Pun intended.) If wall space comes at a premium, take a cue from Romer House in Waikiki. Many of the property’s stylish rooms have sconces affixed to the ends of a very exaggerated headboard. Stylish and space-efficient? Yes, please.

Mar del Cabo in San José del Cabo, Mexico

Mar del Cabo Hotel

When it comes to giving your bedroom a serious glow-up, it’s important to consider where your lights are placed—and where the actual fixtures come from. In the case of Mar del Cabo, a boutique hotel by VELAS RESORTS in San José del Cabo, bedroom lighting can free up some nightstand space and tell a story. 

“Every fixture is thoughtfully placed to evoke a sense of tranquility and timeless sophistication for our guests. The ornate sconces and fixtures throughout the suites pay homage to the hotel’s Mexican coastal charm, blending vintage aesthetics with modern comforts.” 

You can copy this look by finding a pair of old-school sconces at your local antique store—and hanging them on each side of your headboard.

MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa in Sonoma, California

MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa

Why settle for one lighting scheme when you can enjoy a few? At MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa, which is located in Sonoma, each room is equipped with lighting that can be adjusted to really set the mood. 

“The lighting of the room is controllable from various locations of your guest room including bedside,” explains Justin Wilson, the property’s general manager. “You have ample controls of all lighting components and a set of reading lights that simply need to be touched anywhere on them to turn them on or off.”

While the rooms’ nightstands are equipped with classic table lamps, we love how there are also reading lights attached to the headboard. It’s the perfect opportunity to unwind with a juicy read—without keeping your bed buddy up all night.

Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort & Spa in Paradise Valley, Arizona

Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort & Spa

Take your bedroom lighting to new heights—literally—with pendants. While these depth-defying fixtures might be typically seen hanging above a foyer or kitchen island, they can provide a dash of drama to your bedroom. Plus, like so many other spaces on this list, these floating fixtures will give your space an ambient glow without hogging up some in-demand square footage. Looking for some inspiration? Take a cue from Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort & Spa located in Arizona’s Paradise Valley. Here, a duet of pendants are draped on each side of the bed, drawing the eye upward in the process.

Nobu Palo Alto in Palo Alto, California

Nobu Palo Alto

Placing one light on each side of your bed is a surefire way to bring some symmetrical serenity into your space—try saying that five times fast—but it’s not the only way to make your bedroom shine at full wattage. Don’t believe us? Just take a look at this layered room at Nobu’s Palo Alto outpost. “Our lighting design is central to our guest experience as it highlights the craftsmanship and residential finishes in our rooms and suites,” explains Chris Suarez, the property’s manager. “We’ve intentionally designed our lighting to create a sense of both warmth and spaciousness—a welcome contrast to the urban nature of Silicon Valley.”

While the hotel’s John Wigmore light sculptures tie into the property’s Japanese roots, the gallery light above the bed offers a dramatic glow that feels… well, different. If you love the idea of gallery lights, know you’re not alone. For the ultimate lightbulb moment, we broke down all the coolest ways to incorporate the space-efficient fixture into your home.