There are no strict rules for bedroom lighting, but there are a few things that tend to make a room feel right.
For starters, do not depend on one light. A single ceiling fixture might brighten the space, but it rarely feels good at night. It is fine when you are folding laundry or getting dressed, but too harsh when you are trying to wind down. Adding a light by the bed changes everything. It keeps you from getting up just to flip a switch and makes the room feel more layered and comfortable.
Bulb color is another small detail that has a big impact. Cooler light can feel sharp, almost like an office. Warmer light is easier to live with in the evening. It softens the room without making it dim.
Placement matters too. A bedside lamp should light your book, not your face. If the shade sits roughly at eye level when you are sitting up, it usually works. Overhead fixtures should match the scale of the room. Too large and they feel heavy. Too small and they look like an afterthought.
Dimmers are worth it. Bedrooms are used differently throughout the day, and fixed brightness can feel limiting. Being able to lower the light at night makes the room more flexible.
In the end, it is less about rules and more about how the space feels. If the lighting supports your routine and never feels glaring or awkward, you have done it right.
The goal is comfort and control. If your lighting can shift with your routine and never feels harsh, you are following the right rules.