How tall should a bedside lamp be?

For most beds, start around 24 to 30 inches tall overall. Sitting up against the pillows, the bottom of the shade should sit near shoulder height so the bulb stays screened from your eyes. A tall mattress on a low nightstand may need a taller lamp.

What size lamp fits a small nightstand?

Keep the lamp to roughly a third of the surface so there is still room for a phone, glasses, water and a book. A compact base or a lamp moved to a nearby shelf keeps a narrow nightstand usable.

What color light is best beside a bed?

Around 2200K to 2700K is soft enough for the middle of the night. Step up to 2700K to 3000K if you read in bed for longer stretches and want a little more clarity while the light still reads as warm.

Where should a desk lamp sit?

Place it to the side of the desk, on the side opposite your writing hand, so it lights the surface without casting hand shadows or reflecting off a screen.

The collection

Bedside Lamps & Desk Lamps

Bedside table lamps and desk lamps sized for nightstands, desks and console tables. Mains and USB-powered, each with its switch within easy reach, so you are not feeling behind a shade in the dark. Every US order ships free with tracking.

5 lamps · Free tracked US shipping · 4–15 business days · 30-day returns

Start with how you want to switch it on

How they differ

The main choices here are height, how the lamp is powered, and where the switch sits. The three compared below stay connected to power in use, so none of them has a battery to run down.

Fluted Ceramic Bedside Lamp

Power: Mains powered, US 120V outlet, 7W
Control: Button switch on the cord, or remote
Light: Fabric drum shade, soft and diffused
Form and finish: 20 in tall on a 12 in base, glazed ceramic in white, green or red

View this lamp

Linen Shade USB Bedside Lamp

Power: USB powered, stays plugged in
Control: Inline switch on the cable
Light: Warm white LED, fixed output
Form and finish

Common questions

How tall should a bedside lamp be?: For most beds, start around 24 to 30 inches tall overall. Sitting up against the pillows, the bottom of the shade should sit near shoulder height so the bulb stays screened from your eyes. A tall mattress on a low nightstand may need a taller lamp.
What size lamp fits a small nightstand?: Keep the lamp to roughly a third of the surface so there is still room for a phone, glasses, water and a book. A compact base or a lamp moved to a nearby shelf keeps a narrow nightstand usable.
What color light is best beside a bed?: Around 2200K to 2700K is soft enough for the middle of the night. Step up to 2700K to 3000K if you read in bed for longer stretches and want a little more clarity while the light still reads as warm.
Where should a desk lamp sit?: Place it to the side of the desk, on the side opposite your writing hand, so it lights the surface without casting hand shadows or reflecting off a screen.