Bedroom wall lights free up the bedside table and light your reading in bed. Choose a reading or mood light, the right height and a switch within reach.
Bedside wall light or reading light: the right height above the bed
Fixed either side of the headboard, a wall light replaces the bedside lamp and leaves the bedside table free for a book or an alarm clock. Fit it 1.10 to 1.30 m from the floor: the light then falls on the pages without reaching the eyes of whoever is asleep beside you.
For reading, a reading light focuses a narrow beam on the book. An adjustable head helps you set the angle to suit your position.
Switch, wiring and soft light
- Switch on the light or on the cable: turn it off without getting up.
- Plug-in or hardwired: a plug-in design connects to a socket near the bed, while a hardwired one needs a wall connection, fitted by an electrician.
- Dimmer: some wall lights have one, to lower the brightness before sleep, with a dimmable bulb.
- Integrated LED or bulb: integrated LED allows very slim shapes, while a bulb is easy to replace.
In a bedroom, aim for warm white at 2,700 K, which helps you drift off. The room needs 100 to 150 lumens/m² in total: the wall light complements the ceiling light rather than replacing it.
Styles and materials for the headboard
Modern wall lights in black or white metal go well with an upholstered headboard, while classic designs with fabric shades give a soft, subdued light. Gold-tone brass and glass warm up a vintage or Art Deco scheme; crystal adds discreet sparkle to a dressier bedroom. Every shape is gathered in our wall lights, and the bedroom lighting section brings together the room's other lights, including bedroom table lamps.
Frequently asked questions about bedroom wall lights
How high should a wall light be above the bed?
Allow 1.10 to 1.30 m between the floor and the wall light, depending on the thickness of the mattress and the height of the headboard. At this level, the light reaches the book of the person sitting up without dazzling the one sleeping next to them.
Should I choose a reading wall light or a mood wall light?
It all depends on how you use it. If you read every night, a narrow-beam reading light lights the book without disturbing your partner. If the wall light is mainly for finding your way and creating atmosphere, a diffusing design with a shade or glass is enough.
Can I fit a bedside wall light without any building work?
Yes, with a plug-in design: it connects to a socket near the bed and its cable runs along the wall in discreet trunking. With no socket nearby, a hardwired wall light needs a recessed wall connection, a job for an electrician. Practical tips are in our guide to installing wall lights.
