Bedside wall light: at what height should it be installed?
This article is also available in French: Norme hauteur applique murale lit
Allow 1.00 to 1.20 m from the floor to the centre of a reading wall light, which is 20 to 30 cm above the mattress. For an ambient wall light on its own, go up to 1.20-1.40 m. No standard imposes these measurements: they follow from the use and the height of your mattress.
What height for a bedside wall light?
The reliable reference point is the centre of the diffuser, not the top of the bracket. For reading, it sits between 1.00 and 1.20 m from the floor. To light the room without reading, 1.20 to 1.40 m is enough. A high bed shifts the target by a few centimetres, and the mattress is what sets the measurement. If the whole bedroom is being redone, a bedroom renovation with integrated lighting sorts out the cable feeds before painting.
- Eye level when seated: the starting point, rarely go below it
- Edge of the mattress: a stable reference, more reliable than the floor
- Shade: it counts in the measurement, not just the wall bracket
At what height should a headboard reading light be installed?
Lower the centre of the wall light to 20 to 30 cm above the mattress when the arm pivots or drops. Sitting with your back against the headboard, your eyes are around 1.00 m. Placed lower, the reading light casts the shadow of your hand on the page; higher, it lights the wall above your shoulder. The exact adjustment is detailed in our article on the height of a headboard reading light.
And an ambient wall light on its own?
There is no reason to bring it down to mattress level. It is fixed at 1.20-1.40 m, aimed at the wall or upwards, to spread light without glare. It is the solution when the bedroom already has a reading light and lacks a soft glow for the evening.
| Use | Centre height | Reference above the mattress |
|---|---|---|
| Reading while seated | 1.00 to 1.20 m | 20 to 30 cm above |
| Ambient only | 1.20 to 1.40 m | 40 to 50 cm above |
| Reading and ambient | 1.10 to 1.25 m | 30 to 40 cm above |
| High bed, thick mattress | up to 1.30 m | same gap maintained |
These measurements change from one bedroom to another: the different cases are covered in our guide to the height of a bedside wall light.
Once the measurement is taken, the simplest approach is to start from a model already designed for the bedroom: browse the adult bedroom wall lights and compare the bulb bases before drilling.
If you are still unsure where to start, our guide explains the ideal height for installing a wall light, room by room.
Headboard wall lights: the selection to install at the right level
Which standards apply to a wall light?
No text imposes an installation height for a bedside wall light. The regulations govern the luminaire itself: electrical safety, heating, mechanical strength, ingress protection rating. The floor measurement follows from your use and the geometry of the bed.
What does NF EN 60598 actually say?
This standard deals with the safety of luminaires: insulation, heat resistance, tightening of connections, marking. It sets no height above the floor. It does, however, require clear instructions, which lets you check the maximum permitted bulb before fixing. Of the 36 references in our headboard range surveyed on 29 September 2026, 100% declare CE certification. This information appears on the product page of each wall light in the selection.
IP20, IP44 or IP65: which for a bedroom?
- IP20: dry room, bedroom, living room, hallway, office
- IP44: bathroom and damp rooms, water splashes
- IP65: outdoors, facade, terrace exposed to rain
- IP66: powerful water jets, industrial use or seaside
In a bedroom, IP20 is enough: no splashes threaten the wall light. In the same survey of 29 September 2026, all 36 references examined declare IP20 and all a 2-year warranty. Our team explains these points without jargon if you prefer to talk to a Designix adviser.
How do you install wall lights above a bed?
Mark the centre line of the mattress before drilling, not that of the wall. For a 160 bed, allow 1.20 to 1.60 m between the two centres, and install each wall light 15 to 25 cm above the edge of the mattress. A gap that is too wide tires the arm; too narrow, the two beams cross and wash out the headboard.
- Spirit level: both wall lights at the same measurement, otherwise the difference shows
- Bulb in place: judge the height with the beam on, not the bare bracket
- Switch or pull cord: within reach when seated, without stretching your shoulder
What gap between two wall lights, and at what distance from the headboard?
Aim for 15 to 25 cm above the mattress and 30 to 45 cm from the outer edge of the headboard. This range avoids glare when you are lying on your side. An articulated arm makes up for a gap of a few centimetres, which explains the value of an adjustable wall reading light in a master suite.
For a beam that falls exactly on the page, aim the wall light at the book rather than at your face. Our guide to lighting for reading in bed details this adjustment.
Single bed, 160 bed or high bed: which measurements?
| Bed | Gap between wall lights | Centre height |
|---|---|---|
| Single 90 | a single wall light, on the free side | 1.00 to 1.10 m |
| Double 140 | 1.00 to 1.40 m | 1.05 to 1.20 m |
| Double 160 | 1.20 to 1.60 m | 1.10 to 1.25 m |
| High, thick mattress | identical, measured from the mattress | up to 1.30 m |
Which bulb base and dimming for a bedside wall light?
The base decides the bulb you will change in five years, dimming decides evening comfort. Of the 34 headboard references whose base is specified, 69% declare an E27 and 11% a G9. The headboard collection has 886 references as of 29 September 2026, enough to stay with a specific base.
E27 or G9: which to choose?
- E27: standard bulb, from 2700 K warm to 4000 K neutral
- G9: compact diffuser, slimmer silhouette
- Integrated LED: nothing to replace, but a failure condemns the wall light
For a bedroom, stay around 2700 K. Our article on choosing the bedroom bulb explains why cold light is tiring before bedtime.
Does dimming change anything?
It separates two moments: reading at full power, then turning it down without getting up. Of the 32 of 36 product pages surveyed, 56% declare dimming. The other models pair very well with a bedroom luminaire placed on the bedside table.
If you want this comfort without changing bulbs, dimmable wall lights bring together the models already equipped. Of the 36 product pages surveyed, 86% declare metal and 83% a modern style. This dated survey is available in detail, like the Google listing of the business, where buyers leave their feedback.
How do you install a wall light when the wall is not suitable?
Three cases block a standard installation: the wall cannot be drilled, plasterboard that cannot hold weight, and the headboard already fixed. In all three, a solution exists, but it changes the model as much as the height.
How do you install a wall light without drilling?
- Cable and plug wall light: no electrical feed to prepare
- Adhesive fixing: reserved for lightweight models, stated weight respected
- Floor reading lamp: slips between the wall and the mattress
When renting, better to choose a wall light that comes away without a trace on moving day. The methods are compared in our guide to installing a wall light without drilling.
When the headboard is already in place?
You work from above, measuring from the mattress and never from the floor. A short wall light slips into the remaining space, an adjustable arm makes up for a gap of a few centimetres. Of 32 product pages completed in the survey, 89% declare a wall mounting.
You read in bed: which case is yours?
Finally, keep the overall light in mind: a bedroom luminaire conducive to rest is chosen together with the wall lights, not after them.
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