It sounds really cool. I'm a little confused as to why the built in stops at 42". Can you post a picture of the space. I'm imaging a whole wall built it:

[Modern Bedroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-bedroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_715~s_2105) by Austin Architects & Designers Furman + Keil Architects

I just like this picture bc of the mirrors and crystal knobs.

[Contemporary Bedroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-bedroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_715~s_2103) by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators Sealy Design Inc.

The wall cabinet itself is 42"h. They are installed at 8 ft. just like a regular kitchen installation. A board and valance spans above the bed joining the top of one cabinet to the top of the second cabinet on the other side.

The width of the room measures 27.5", 57" for the headboard, then 27.5" on other side. Therefore, the whole system will literally span the entire width of this narrow room. Each night stand is a separate piece of furniture, completely independent of the cabinets above. Hope this clarifies things a bit. The framed mirror on the wall is to give continuity between the upper and lower portions as the width of the mirror in the cabinet doors will be the same width as the mirror on the wall below.

Pps7, thanks for the photos. It's not quite either room you posted. Picture regular night stands on either side of a bed with a 42" high wall cabinet with doors mounted at 8ft. directly above and a valance section spanning across at the top. The wall where the headboard goes is only 112" wide so the whole set-up will literally span wall to wall. I wanted an open area to each side by my headd, rather than a side wall of cabinet, which explans the separation between the upper and lower pieces. Since the width of the mirror on the wall below will be the same as the width of the mirror in the cabinet doors above, this should give visual continuity to the upper and lower pieces. This is my own design so hope it works out as planned.

Bumping this thread up as still hoping for a response. As a lurker, I have been very much impressed with this forum--great people and lots of insight.

Do you read in bed? It would seem to me that the swing-arm lamps would be best, as you could direct the light where you need it.

So I'm a bit confused as to why Plan B, the undercabinet lights, would be more functional for reading material?

Is there any reason you couldn't do both? Plan A for function, Plan B for mood lighting?

If you go with Plan B, I'd also add some lighting directly above the bed, behind the valance connecting the two sections of wall-mounted cabinet.

Plan B looks nicer! Not sure about function though.

Camlan, yes I read in bed, as well as place a drink on the bedside table if I'm doing office work in bed. The table surface should be about 19.5"w x 18"d. If I go with Plan B, undercabinet lighting would probably be warm fluorescent as quite a bit of light is thrown out both to the sides and forward. A similar set-up was used in a bedroom for my son in my last home, and the reading light was fine. If I do Plan A, the wall cabinet height may need to be reduced to 30" to place the light at the right height. This is something I could live with. I guess my question is, do you think undercabinet lighting in a nice bedroom would shout "kitchen" as my designer seems to think?

I do not wish to do both types of lighting as either one should serve my purpose so I do not see the need for both. And yes, lighting behind the valance is already planned, with the focus to be on a painting above the bed.

While the undercabinet lighting might not shout "kitchen," I do think it makes a style statement. That sort of lighting in a bedroom would read "modern" to me. Also possibly "minimalistic," depending on how the rest of the room is decorated.

Agree with camlan that both would work, it just depends on the look you want.

I know you didn't ask, but did you consider doing the cabinets in cherry? It just seems that the bed, night stand and cabinets should all be one finish. Or if you don't already have the bed and nightstand then perhaps get white ones.

Pps, I already have the bed installed in cherry. A white bed was my first choice, but my ID recommended cherry as I have medium stained wood pieces in each room of my house. The cherry bed does help to give continuity and good flow throughout my small home. I think she gave sound advice. My cherry cabinet surface on white came from an inspiration bedroom (also very small) by Candice Olson, where she used this same technique with her nightstands.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond -- still haven't made up my mind yet. I may do a cross post in Kitchens to also get a feel for the consensus there, as well.