How to Choose Bedroom Lighting for Your Sleep Position
Check for glare and switch reach from your pillow, then choose a shaded or adjustable light that suits your bedside routine.
In brief: Choose bedroom lighting by checking for glare and switch reach from your usual sleeping position. A shaded, adjustable bedside light is a useful place to start. Add a focused reading light or a low-level night light if your routine calls for one.
Three things to remember
- Check the bulb from your pillow, not just the doorway.
- Direct reading light at the page, away from the other side of the bed.
- Put the controls where you can reach them comfortably.
A lamp that looks lovely from the doorway may shine straight into your eyes once you're lying down. Your mattress height and the direction you face both change the view. Sharing the bed can change what you need from a light, too.
Before buying or mounting anything, borrow a lamp from your own room and move it around the bedside. Read with it, then lie back. You might only need to turn the shade or shift the lamp a little.
Match the light to your position
Start with the way you usually lie in bed. There's no single fixture or brightness setting for everyone who sleeps on their side, back, or stomach, so use the table as a starting point and check the view from your own pillow.
| Position or setup | What to check | A light to try |
|---|---|---|
| Side, facing the lamp | Is the bulb in your direct line of sight? | A shaded lamp or adjustable sconce, turned away from your face |
| Back | Can you see an exposed bedside or overhead bulb? | A shaded bedside lamp that directs light away from you |
| Stomach | Can you reach the switch without moving your pillows around? | A bedside light with a conveniently placed control |
| Sharing a bed | Does your reading light reach the other pillow? | Separately controlled lights or an adjustable reading lamp |
Turn over and check the other side if you switch positions during the night. Look up, too. An overhead bulb that's hidden when you're sitting up can come into view when you lie back.
Choose a fixture that fits your bedside
A table lamp is easy to shift while you work out where the light should fall. From your pillow, check that the shade hides the bulb and that the switch is close enough to reach without a stretch. A dimmable lamp gives you room to adjust the light between reading and a quieter evening setting.
A wall-mounted light frees up space on a small nightstand. Thing is, it's worth testing the position before you commit to mounting it. Adjustable arms and shades can help you direct the beam; Pooky's bedside lighting guide compares wall lights and table lamps for different spaces.
Sconces come in hardwired, plug-in, and rechargeable versions. If you choose a plug-in light, check for a convenient outlet and a safe cord route. Rechargeable lights need occasional charging. Think about how you'll reach the control and adjust the fixture before choosing its position.
Make reading light work for both sides of the bed
Set a directional light beside or slightly behind your shoulder, then point it at the page rather than across the mattress. Keep the bulb out of your direct view.
Try it while you're propped up with a book, and try it again when you lie back on your pillow, because the angle that works for one position may not work for the other. If you share the bed, ask your partner whether the light reaches their side. Separate controls are handy when one person wants to read and the other prefers darkness, but you don't have to have them.
Test the setup before making it permanent
Use a movable lamp for a trial run before replacing a fixture or installing a sconce:
- Map your routine. Notice where you read, which side of the bed you use, and the route you take to the door.
- Check the view. Sit up and lie down with your usual pillow in place. Move the lamp or turn its shade if the bulb is in your eyes.
- Try the control. Reach for the switch from your usual spot without stretching across the mattress.
- Check the route. If you want light for getting out of bed, see whether a low-level light illuminates the path without leaving a bare bulb in your view.
Pillow height changes the view from bed. Turns out a lamp angle worth checking once may be worth checking again if you adjust the fill in a buckwheat hull pillow, such as one from LilyPillow.
Keep cords and fixtures safe
Keep cords away from walkways and bedding. Don't cover a lamp with fabric. Follow the fixture manufacturer's instructions for installation and compatible bulbs, and use a qualified electrician for hardwired work.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission provides more electrical safety information.
Bedside lighting questions
What kind of lamp is best for a side sleeper?
Try a shaded or adjustable lamp, with the bulb outside your direct line of sight. Lie on the side you usually face and check that you can reach the switch.
Can one light work for reading and getting out of bed?
Yes, if you can position and operate it for both. Try reading with it, then check the light along your walking route. A separate low-level light may be more convenient.
Do couples need separate bedside lights?
No. Separate controls give each person a way to adjust their own light, while a directional reading lamp can help keep light off the other pillow.
The bottom line
Lie down with your usual pillow and switch on the light you already have. If you can see the bulb or can't comfortably reach the switch, move the lamp or turn the shade before shopping for a replacement.