Bedroom table lamps sit on the bedside table for reading or on a chest of drawers. Choose the height to suit the bed, then the shade and a soft bulb.
Bedside lamp: the right height in relation to the bed
Sit up in bed with your back against the headboard: the bottom of the shade should be at chin height. Any higher and the bulb dazzles; any lower and the light doesn't reach your book.
Lamps of 40 to 60 cm are the most common; a 20 to 40 cm design works better on a tall or narrow bedside table. For a selection focused on this use, see our bedside lamps section.
A matching pair or two different lamps?
In a main bedroom, a matching pair either side of the bed gives structure to the decor, and each person has their own switch. On a chest of drawers, a larger lamp of 60 to 80 cm lights the wall and provides mood lighting in the evening.
To avoid waking whoever is asleep, choose an opaque or thick fabric shade that directs the light downwards. If the bedside table is short on space, a bedroom wall light frees up the surface.
Materials, styles and bulbs for the bedroom
Ceramic, gold-tone metal or glass bases go well with fabric shades. Tiffany lamps, with their coloured glass shades, give a very subdued light, more decorative than practical for reading. Wood and Scandinavian style suit an understated bedroom.
Go for a 2,700 K LED bulb, dimmable if the lamp has a dimmer, to lower the brightness before sleep. An in-line cable switch near the pillow saves fumbling for the switch in the dark. All the shapes are in our lamps and our bedroom lighting section.
Frequently asked questions about bedroom table lamps
How tall should a bedside lamp be?
There's no single size: it all depends on the bedside table and the bed. When you're sitting up, the bottom of the shade should be at chin height. On a bedside table level with the mattress, a 40 to 60 cm lamp often works; on a taller piece of furniture, choose a smaller one.
Bedside lamp or wall light: which should I choose?
A table lamp can be moved, changed to suit the decor and needs no drilling. A wall light frees up the bedside table and suits small bedrooms or narrow bedside tables. If you read a lot, either works, provided the light is at the right height and the switch within easy reach.
Which lampshade lets you read without disturbing your partner?
A conical or opaque shade, open at the bottom, focuses light on the book and limits spill towards the other side of the bed. Avoid clear glass or a very pale shade that lights the whole bedroom. Our guide to lighting your bedroom has more advice.
