How to Choose the Right Bedside Light

A bedside light may be relatively small, but its position means you'll probably use and see it every day.

Before choosing one purely on appearance, consider how it needs to work.

What will you use it for?

If you regularly read in bed, placement and useful illumination matter more than if the lamp is mainly used for lower-level evening lighting.

How much space do you have?

Your lamp shouldn't leave no room for your phone, book or glass of water.

For smaller bedside tables, compact designs help. Wall-mounted lighting can free the surface completely.

Where are your sockets?

A perfectly positioned lamp isn't much use if its cable can't comfortably reach a socket.

Cordless and rechargeable designs can solve awkward socket placement while reducing visible cables.

Do you need more control?

Dimming lets you adjust brightness depending on what you're doing, while adjustable colour temperatures can give one light several different uses.

Finally, consider how the lamp looks when it's switched off. A bedside light spends much of the day as part of the room.

The right choice should work as both lighting and part of your interior.