Reading lamps

Reading needs a direct light that falls on the page without dazzling. Start from where you read: beside an armchair a floor lamp works well, in bed a wall light or a lamp on the bedside table.

Floor reading lamps, beside the armchair

Place the lamp beside the armchair or slightly behind it, so the light comes over your shoulder without shadows or reflections. Make sure the base does not end up under your feet. An arm or an adjustable head helps keep the light on the book: Tolomeo by Artemide comes in a Terra Reading version with balanced arms, and Skan by Vibia, by Lievore Altherr Molina, is an essential reading lamp.

Some lamps offer something extra beside the armchair. Bibliothèque Nationale by Philippe Starck for Flos has a USB socket on the base for charging a phone or tablet; Suite 6012 by Vibia has a shelf with an adjustable reading light and a USB connection.

Reading wall lights: height and switch

For a wall light beside the bed, recommendations usually range from about 140 to 155 cm from the floor, but it depends on the bed: the safest way is to try it sitting up, in the position you read in, with someone holding the lamp for you. The switch must be within reach when you are sitting up: Flexiled and Manhattan by Contardi also come with a switch.

Reading lamps for the bed

An arm or an adjustable head keeps the light on the page and does not disturb whoever is sleeping beside you. If the bedside table is small, a wall light keeps it clear. If you prefer a lamp to stand on the table, see bedside lighting and bedside lamps.

Designer reading lamps: how much light you need

For reading, recommendations range from about 400 to 800 lumens, ideally adjustable, with a light between 2700 and 3000 K. Many lamps have an integrated LED, which often cannot be replaced: check the lumens, kelvin and colour rendering (Ra) on the product page before choosing. Captain Flint by Flos, by Michael Anastassiades, for example has an adjustable cone, a 2700 K light and a dimmer.

Not only floor lamps: Parentesi and pendant lamps

This page also includes pendant lamps. Parentesi by Flos, by Achille Castiglioni and Pio Manzù, 1971, adjusts in height along a taut cable and can be brought beside the sofa. To see all the models, start from floor lamps or wall lamps.