How To Choose The Right Nightstand Lamp

Choosing the right nightstand lamp depends on factors such as the purpose of the lamp, the available space on your nightstand, the rest of your lighting scheme, and your personal preferences.

In this article, we will help guide you through your purchase of a new nightstand lamp and make sure it is the perfect one for your bed.

Let's start with the basics.

How many lumens do I need for the nightstand?

The lumens you need for your bedside table depend on the area you want to illuminate. For a nightstand or bedside area, aim for about 30-40 lumens per square foot. This level of brightness provides ample light for tasks like reading while still creating a comfortable, calming atmosphere for the bedroom. If you prefer a softer glow, you can adjust to the lower end of this range.

In general (based on the average area of the bedside), you need about 400-600 lumens. This brightness provides enough light for reading or other bedside tasks without being too harsh or overpowering. If you prefer softer lighting for a relaxing ambiance, aim closer to the lower end of that range, while brighter options are better for detailed tasks like reading.

Now that you know how many lumens you need, let's see what types of lamps there are available for you to choose.

Types of nightstand lamps

Table lamps

Table lamps are one of the most common and safest options for your bedside table. Their main drawback is that they take up valuable bedside space but they are easily accessible and they light up your bed perfectly. They are ideal for task lighting, meaning light that you need to perform a specific action, like reading a book.

You can check out our entire selection of bedroom table lamps here.

The Elena table lamp is the epitome of design combined with extreme functionality. It is a rechargeable, portable lamp with three light settings and a practical touch switch that makes it simple to adjust brightness and color as needed.

Ideal for the bedside table, this lamp provides ample but discreet light, so it does not disrupt your circadian rhythm at night.

The Twist table lamp provides light in all directions, serving as a sufficient ambient light source for dark bedrooms. This works best when you use your nightstand for multiple activities and you spend a lot of time in bed. It also doesn't take up too much space on your nightstand.

Resembling a mini floor lamp, the Ripple table lamp is an all-time classic that fits all spaces from traditional to contemporary and Scandi. Do choose this lamp if you're a fan of minimalism and your lighting requirements are not the highest.

This lamp is rechargeable and you can simply tap it to switch between three brightness levels, making it ideal for the bedside table.

Bonus lamp

The Moonlit Incense Burner table lamp comes in multiple designs and variants, and its main benefit is that it also acts as an incense burner. Creating dramatic smoke shadows, this lamp is ideal for those of you who want to meditate before bed as a means of relaxation.

Floor lamps

If you don't have enough table space or you want to reserve it, floor lamps can also be an interesting option to explore.

Ideally, you want a floor lamp that directs the light downwards toward your bedside table, as you would rather create soft task lighting than ambient light that reflects off the ceiling.

Check out our entire selection of bedroom floor lamps here!

Let's see some of our best and most intriguing floor lamps for the nightstand:

The Bernie floor lamp has an arch that directs the light downwards next to the lamp, making it ideal for the bedside table. This lamp can be placed on the floor directly next to the bedside table, covering your task lighting needs sufficiently.

The only drawback of this floor lamp is that the switch might not be easily accessible from the bed, as it is on the floor, but with the right mindset, you can definitely make it work!

The Squiggle floor lamp is a unique addition to your bedroom, adding some extra drama and playfulness.

It works particularly well in beach-style houses and even more rustic and transitional architectures, but we have seen it work amazingly in more contemporary and Scandi-style homes, making the space pop a lot more.

The Derina floor lamp comes with a side table, making it ideal for next to your bed. It has a small drawer for storing small items and a USB type-A charging port for convenient device charging if you select this option.

The Holza floor lamp is one of our classiest options, combining minimalism with a modern design. It fits best spaces made with earthly materials such as wood and stone.

Placing it next to your bedside table facing inward will direct the light exactly where you need it most.

Wall lamps

For wall lamps, you want to choose sconces that direct the light downwards. That is only if you have covered your ambient light needs with a ceiling light, such as a semi-flush mount. If you connect your sconces to a switch next to the door, you can also use them for ambient light, but make sure to choose ones that direct light 360 degrees.

Check out our entire selection of bedroom wall sconces here.

The Aine wall sconce is perfect for the nightstand. It comes in both plug-in and hardwired versions, so you can easily plug it in if you don't want to do much electrical work. This also means that it is easy to move it around and experiment until you figure out its spot!

Made with premium beech and ash wood and classic fabric, it provides soft and non-glaring light making it perfect for nighttime.

The Duyen wall sconce is perfect for the nightstand in every way! You can easily adjust and direct the light as you wish with its rotatable metal lampshade mounted on a rectangular backplate. Plus, it comes with a built-in USB outlet which offers hassle-free charging of your devices.

In the same way, the arm of the Anja wall lamp is easily adjustable and rotatable (330 degrees), which is perfect for the bedside. Its sleek appearance makes it ideal for more contemporary homes and Scandinavian architecture. However, it can be used anywhere thanks to its minimalistic design.

Wrapping up

So, there you have it. Now you know how to choose the perfect nightstand lamp and how to illuminate your bedside area without too much fuss.

If you are still unsure about which fixture to buy, we offer a free consultation with our design experts via phone call. On the call, we can discuss all about your individual needs and preferences and help guide you through your purchase. If you would like to book a call, please visit this link. We are looking forward to hearing from you!