Bedside & Nightstand Lamps

The bedside lamp is the last light on and the first light off. It's also the one people buy on looks and then live with badly — too tall, too bright, or angled so it wakes whoever's beside you. The geometry is simple and almost nobody gets told it.

The height rule

The bottom of the shade should sit at or just below eye level when you're sitting up in bed. That's the whole rule. Below it, you get light on the page. Above it, you get the bulb in your eyes.

In practice, on a standard 24 to 26 inch nightstand, that means a lamp 24 to 27 inches tall. If your nightstand is lower — common with platform beds — go taller. If it's a tall vintage piece, go shorter.

Measure from the top of the nightstand to your seated eye level and subtract a couple of inches. Two minutes, and it's the difference between a lamp you love and one you tolerate.

Shade shape

Open at the bottom so light falls on a book. A drum or empire shade works. A fully enclosed globe gives glow and nothing to read by.

Opaque or lined shades are better beside a bed than translucent ones — they direct light down rather than spilling it sideways at your partner.

Width: the shade's widest point should be roughly twice the base width, and shorter than the base is tall.

Switching, which matters more here than anywhere

You'll reach for this switch half-asleep every night. Options, best to worst:

Touch base — tap anywhere on the lamp. Best for a bedside.
Inline cord switch — reliable, findable in the dark.
Rotary knob under the shade — fine.
Pull chain — you will hunt for it in the dark every night.

Dimmable models are worth the premium in a bedroom more than any other room.

Bulb

2700K, no higher. Cool light suppresses the wind-down your body is trying to do. A warm, dim bedside lamp is the correct last light of the day — especially in a country where you'll be using it by four in the afternoon in December.

Pairs

Two lamps flanking a bed should match in height above all. Two different designs at the same height read as deliberate. Two similar designs at different heights read as a mistake.

From a Canadian company that knows about long dark evenings.

Frequently asked questions

How tall should a bedside lamp be?

24 to 27 inches on a standard 24 to 26 inch nightstand. The bottom of the shade should sit at or just below your eye level when sitting up in bed.

What shade works best beside a bed?

Open at the bottom so light falls on a book, and opaque or lined so it doesn't spill sideways onto whoever's beside you.

What's the best switch type for a bedside lamp?

A touch base, tapped anywhere on the lamp. Inline cord switches are a close second. Pull chains are the worst — you'll hunt for them in the dark.

What colour temperature for a bedroom?

2700K, no higher. Cooler light works against the wind-down your body is trying to do before sleep.

Do bedside lamps need to match?

They need to match in height. Two different designs at the same height look intentional; two similar designs at different heights look like an accident.