Bed reading light height: the measurement for reading well
This article is also available in French: Hauteur liseuse lit
Allow about fifty centimetres between the top of the mattress and the centre of the reading light, which is 1.05 to 1.15 m from the floor on a 160 cm bed. The beam falls at book height without lighting up the sleeper next to you. An adjustable reading light can then be set to the exact degree.
What height for a bed reading light?
Allow 1.05 to 1.15 m from the floor to the centre of the diffuser for a bed of standard height. The measurement is taken from the floor, never from the mattress: it is the only reference point that does not change from one bed model to another.
Standard height of a reading light: the measurement from the top of the mattress
The top of the mattress remains the most convenient reference when the reading light is already fitted. Allow 45 to 55 cm between the mattress surface and the centre of the diffuser. This calculation comes up in almost all our bedroom and office renovation projects, even before choosing the model.
- 45 to 55 cm above the mattress for reading sitting up, back supported
- Low base: the floor measurement goes down, the gap to the mattress does not change
- Upholstered headboard: leave 5 cm of clearance for the arm
Headboard reading light height depending on reading position
The measurement shifts by 25 cm between reading sitting up and reading lying down.
| Reading position | Centre of the diffuser | Gap to the mattress |
|---|---|---|
| Sitting, back straight | 1.15 to 1.25 m | 55 to 65 cm |
| Sitting, semi-reclined | 1.05 to 1.15 m | 45 to 55 cm |
| Lying on your side | 0.90 to 1.00 m | 35 to 45 cm |
If you read in two positions, choose the higher point and angle the beam downwards. Reading lights and bed wall lights with an articulated arm cover all three rows of the table without tools.
Reading light height in a guest room: the single bed case
On a single bed, the reading light also serves as a work lamp and a night light. The height does not change, the direction does.
- 1.05 m from the floor: the most versatile measurement on a 90 cm bed
- 10 cm offset towards the outside of the bed, to free the shoulder
- Beam towards the book, never towards the face when lying down
For a spare bed, the height of a bed wall light follows the same rules, with 5 cm of margin towards the bottom.
Where is it advisable to place a reading light at the head of the bed?
15 to 25 cm from the edge of the mattress, aligned with the sleeper's shoulder and not in line with the face. If the beam grazes the headboard, move the wall light back by 10 cm. Two reading lights are placed as a mirror pair, at the same height.
At what distance from the wall and the sleeper
The reading light works best at 15 cm from the wall and 20 cm from the edge of the mattress. This clearance avoids the shadow cast by the head and lets a book pass without hitting it.
- 15 cm between the back of the wall light and the wall, for ventilation
- 20 cm from the edge of the mattress, at shoulder height
- Never in line with the face: aim for the shoulder, not the forehead
These measurements overlap with those for the height of a headboard reading light, which covers the case of thick headboards.
Two reading lights, two sides: the axis to respect
Two reading lights are placed at the same height and the same distance from the mattress, symmetrical about the axis of the bed. A 5 cm difference is visible as soon as you enter the room.
- Same measurement on both sides, taken from the floor
- Same family of lights, for identical light
- Separate switches: each person turns on their own without reaching
Switch and electrical supply: the measurement to plan before drilling
Plan the cable outlet 10 cm below the fixing point, and the wall switch at 80 cm from the floor, on the outer side of the bed.
- Cable outlet: 10 cm below the centre of the wall light, hidden by the diffuser
- Wall switch: 80 cm from the floor, 15 cm from the edge of the bed
- Wall light with built-in switch: no channelling, no two-way wiring
These heights follow the logic of an ideal height for a wall light: start from the point of use, then work back to the cable.
What is the ideal height for installing a bed lamp?
It all depends on the model. An adjustable wall-mounted reading light is fixed between 1.05 and 1.15 m from the floor, a bedside lamp sits on a unit 55 to 65 cm high, a reading floor lamp places its head between 1.20 and 1.40 m.
Adjustable wall-mounted reading light
The articulated arm makes up for an approximate measurement and frees up the bedside table.
- 1.05 to 1.15 m from the floor for the centre of the diffuser
- Adjustable arm: the beam can be readjusted without tools after installation
- Warranty: out of a survey of 98 references in our catalogue as of 29 September 2026, 87% carry a 2-year warranty
In a master suite, an adjustable wall-mounted reading light in a master suite replaces two bedside tables and two dangling wires.
The depth of the catalogue does the rest: the Décoration Originale collection has 3,340 references as of 29 September 2026.
Our selection of adult bedroom wall lights is fixed at this height without an extra backplate.
Bedside lamp and freestanding reading light
A bedside lamp placed on a unit 55 to 65 cm high puts its shade at around 90 cm from the floor. Lower, it lights the top; higher, it lights the wall.
- 55 to 65 cm: unit height that puts the diffuser at 90 cm
- Opaque shade on top: the light goes down onto the page
- Wide base: a long arm on a narrow table tips over at the slightest movement
Our guide to the reading lamp details the beams according to use.
Between the two families, the decision comes down to the space available at the bedside.
A bedside reading lamp serves both roles: ambient when off, reading when on.
Reading floor lamp: the useful stem height
A reading floor lamp raises its head between 1.20 and 1.40 m and is adjusted from the seated position in bed.
- 1.20 to 1.40 m for the head of the floor lamp
- Offset arm: the solution when the wall cannot take any fixing
- Flat base: it slides under the bed rather than in front of it
The height of a floor lamp follows the same logic as that of a reading light: start from the seat, never from the ceiling.
Also allow for the length of the arm: an offset that is too short forces you to move the chair forward.
Our selection of floor lamps groups together the models with an adjustable arm.
Reading lights, wall lights and bedside lamps for reading in bed
Which bulb and what intensity for reading in bed?
Aim for 2,700 to 3,000 K and 400 to 600 lumens at the reading point. A beam of 30 to 40 degrees concentrates the light on the page and leaves the room in semi-darkness. A dimmer lets you turn it down once the book is closed.
Colour temperature for reading without tiring
Warm light tires the eye less on a paper book. Stay between 2,700 K and 3,000 K: warm white does not turn blue on the last page.
- 2,700 K: the shade closest to a filament lamp
- 3,000 K: one notch whiter, still comfortable for reading
- 4,000 K and above: reserve for the office, never the bedside
Filament LED bulbs give this warm shade with reduced consumption. On the same survey of 98 references as of 29 September 2026, 71% state LED technology.
Dimmable intensity and beam: the anti-glare setting
400 to 600 lumens are enough for reading, provided they are concentrated. A wide beam lights the whole room and wakes the person next to you.
- 400 to 600 lm at the reading point, not on the ceiling
- 30 to 40 degrees of opening: sharp page, rest of the room dark
- Shade open towards the bottom: nothing shines back into your eyes
The right setting is chosen together with the bedside lamp bulb: it is the combination of source and shade that shapes the beam.
E14, E27 or GU10 base: check before ordering
The base is checked before ordering, not on delivery.
- E14: small base, common on compact bedside lamps
- E27: large base, the standard for reading lights and floor lamps
- GU10: pin spots, reserved for recessed reading lights
Our selection of E27 bulbs covers large shades and arm-mounted reading lights.
In a bedroom, the IP20 protection rating is enough: on the survey of 98 product sheets as of 29 September 2026, 88% are IP20.
What is the standard height for placing the bed's power socket?
Allow 60 to 80 cm from the floor, about 20 cm from the edge of the mattress. If a bedside table is planned, position the socket just above its top, often around 70 cm. Below 40 cm, it becomes inaccessible once the bed is in place.
Ideal distance for headboard sockets for a 160 cm bed
On a 160 cm bed, allow one socket on each side, 20 cm from the edges of the mattress. The gap between the two therefore approaches 2 m.
- 20 cm from the edge of the mattress for each socket
- 60 to 80 cm from the floor, depending on the height of the bedside table
- Two sockets per side: charger and lamp on separate circuits
Socket at floor level or above the bedside table
A socket placed above the bedside table gains comfort, one placed at floor level gains discretion. The choice depends on actual use: a phone charger is better plugged in at the top.
- Above the bedside table: immediate access, visible cable
- At floor level, at 30 cm: discreet, but you have to bend down
- Trunking: the renovation solution, without channelling the wall
Unsure about the exact measurement for your wall or the right electrical supply? Before drilling, have your installation measurement validated by our team.
Where is your reading point?
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