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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Electrical Questions >> bedroom lighting planning https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1360524427 Message started by Natedog on Feb 10^th, 2013, 7:27pm

Title: bedroom lighting planning
Post by Natedog on Feb 10^th, 2013, 7:27pm

over the next few months i'm going to be gutting our bedroom and replastering it, so it seemed logical to do a bit of electrickery at the same time, while the plaster is off.

herself would like some wall lights either side of the bed kinda like these but all the ones we have seen that she likes don't have integral switches. it might seem like a stupid question, but where and how would you switch them? would just putting a switch on the wall underneath it (just above bedside table height) be acceptable?

my local tame sparky is away for a few weeks so i can't ask him, and i'd like to get it all planned and budgeted

Title: Re: bedroom lighting planning
Post by Lectrician on Feb 10^th, 2013, 9:40pm

Yes, switches below would be fine. Even architrave switches if you prefer something more slim line.

We have wall lights either side of the wed, and a two gang switch below. One gang switching the wall light above, and the other the main center light. The switch by the door also does the center light.

You could use two normal two gang switches at the bed, and an intermediate switch by the door.

As we have a dimmer at the door (and these don't come in intermediate types), I fitted a two way dimmer at the door, and then used grid switches by the bed to make up two two gang switches, one with a one way and two way module, and the other with a one way and intermediate module. I used Hamiltons grid assemblies and matching dimmer. Very nice. http://www.hamilton-litestat.com/browse_by_range/GRID-IT/72_2GFP.html

Title: Re: bedroom lighting planning
Post by Natedog on Feb 11^th, 2013, 9:37am

thank you kindly sir :D

one other strange question. she's seen a chandelier that she likes http://www.fourkingslane.co.uk/product/elstead-lighting-warwick-12-light-chandelier/ but there's no way on earth i'm spending a grand on a glorified lampshade! would there be any issue if i was to make one? the lamp holders are readily available, and the steel and forged bits to make the frame would cost me around £30, plus a few feet of chain to hang it. but would it need to be 'E' marked or something?

Title: Re: bedroom lighting planning
Post by CWatters on Feb 12^th, 2013, 12:06am

I've had same problem in the past finding a light with built in switch so I made my own by adding a switch like one of these..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WALL-LIGHT-SMALL-REPLACEMENT-PULL-CORD-LIGHT-SWITCH-BOTTOM-ACTION-/200888708512?pt=UK_DIY_Material_Electrical_Fittings_MJ&hash=item2ec5e66da0

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wall-light-replacement-pull-cord-switch-side-pull-action-/150873229038?pt=UK_DIY_Material_Electrical_Fittings_MJ&hash=item2320bec6ee

http://www.thelightworks.net/lighting-spares/979-push-button-switch-2a-max.html

Some types are easier to mount than others. Depends what's in the light fitting.

You might want to wire the bedside lights for two position switching so that you can turn them on from the switch near bedroom door and off from the switch near the light (and the other way around). I don't think the small switches above can do that as I think they are all single throw. You may also need an extra wire in the wall for two position switching.