Wall Mounted Reading Lamp

A wall mounted reading lamp frees up the nightstand and puts the light where your book actually is: beside your shoulder, slightly behind you, pointed down at the page. The lamps in this collection suit that job. Most have a head or arm you can aim, and many plug into an outlet, so you can hang one without an electrician.

What makes a good reading lamp

Three things matter more than looks. First, an adjustable head or arm, so the light lands on the page and not in your partner's eyes. Second, a way to dim, because the light you want for reading is brighter than the light you want ten minutes before sleep. Third, a shade that hides the bulb from where you sit, so you get light without glare.

Adjustable heads and arms

Gro is two lamps in one: a top light for a soft ambient glow and a bottom light that rotates so you can aim it at the page. Runar turns 340 degrees at the pole and 180 degrees at the head. Lif rotates 350 degrees. Siv has an adjustable cone head, and Gunnar swings left and right on its arm. Among the plug-in models, Aleah, Algunda and Meibel all have adjustable arms.

Dimming and color temperature

Runar has a touch switch: one tap turns it on or off, a double tap changes the color temperature (3000K, 4000K or 6000K) and a long press dims it. Its 550 lumens is plenty to read by. Emelie has a dimmer knob on the lamp itself. Gunnar has a pull chain and works with any dimmable or smart E26 bulb, and one E26 bulb is included. For reading at night, a warm 2700K to 3000K light is easier on the eyes than cool white.

Plug-in or hardwired

Hardwired lamps like Runar connect to a box in the wall and leave no cord. Plug-in lamps have a cord that goes into a normal outlet, which makes them the easy choice for renters. Marit, Anneke and Adelborg come in both versions. See the full range of plug-in wall sconces, or go cordless with rechargeable wall sconces.

How high to mount a reading lamp

A common rule of thumb is to put the bottom of the shade about 20 inches above the top of the mattress, which usually lands somewhere between 48 and 60 inches from the floor. Sit against the headboard the way you normally read, and mount the lamp so the shade sits just above and slightly to the side of your shoulder. Set it a little outside the edge of the headboard so you do not hit it when you lean back.

Frequently asked questions

Can I install a wall reading lamp without an electrician?

Yes, if you choose a plug-in model. You screw the bracket to the wall and plug the cord into an outlet. Hardwired lamps connect to a junction box, and we recommend a licensed electrician for that.

Which lamp is best for reading in bed with a partner?

Pick one with a head you can aim, like Gro, Runar or Siv, and point it down at your side of the bed so the light does not spill across.

What color temperature is best for reading?

Warm white, 2700K to 3000K, in the evening. Neutral 4000K shows fine print and colors more crisply if you read during the day.

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