Bedside and Desk Lamps: Table Lamps and Night Lights

Scale and switch: making the lamp fit the nightstand

A bedside lamp should look balanced next to the nightstand and sit with the bottom of the shade near eye level when you are propped up reading. Most listings give overall size as length, width and height in inches, so compare the footprint with the top of your nightstand and leave room for a glass of water. The switch matters in the dark: touch and rotary dimmers are easy to find by feel, pull chains are simple but fiddly, and push buttons on cords can hide behind the bed.

Stained glass, linen or plastic shades

Tiffany-style stained glass is decorative, and the colored panels absorb much of the light, so these lamps give a warm pool of glow rather than strong reading light. Linen and fabric shades diffuse evenly and hide the bulb; plastic and metal shades are lighter and cheaper to replace but can look harsh when lit. Glass bases add weight and stability, whereas lightweight plastic lamps can tip on a crowded nightstand.

Battery-operated and night-light models trade brightness for convenience. They are good for a hallway, a child's room or a spot with no outlet, and weaker for reading or work. Check whether the bulb is included, how the lamp is switched on, and whether it is rated for indoor use only, since both indoor and outdoor lamps appear in this range.

Questions about Bedside and Desk Lamps: Table Lamps and Night Lights

What size lamp suits a nightstand?

A lamp up to about one and a half times the height of the nightstand usually looks balanced, with a shade no wider than the nightstand top. Keep the base small enough to leave space for a clock or a book.

Will a Tiffany-style lamp give enough light to read?

Often not on its own. The colored glass absorbs light, so use the brightest bulb the socket allows or pair the lamp with a separate reading light. A warm, low-wattage bulb suits ambient use.

Why does my touch lamp flicker with some bulbs?

Touch lamps use a small control circuit that can misbehave with bulbs not designed for dimming. Use the bulb type the lamp states, usually a dimmable LED or a halogen or incandescent bulb, and avoid cheap non-dimmable LEDs.