“Choose a lamp about two-thirds as tall as your nightstand, with a shade narrower than the tabletop.”
Designer tip
5 rules of thumb for a bedside lamp
- Lamp height: about two-thirds the height of the nightstand.
- Shade width: about twice the width of the base, and narrower than the nightstand top.
- Total lamp height: no more than about 1.5 times the height of the surface it sits on.
- Distance from the bed: about 19-21 inches from the top edge of the mattress.
- For reading: the bottom of the shade at or just below eye level when you sit up in bed. Narrow nightstand? Go slim, or choose a swing-arm or rechargeable lamp.
These are rules of thumb and sources disagree a little, so trust your eye.
12 bedside lamps that fit small nightstands
Bartlett Rechargeable Ceramic Lamp, Ivory & Brass
Cordless gourd lamp, 28+ hrs per charge, made in USA.
Bartlett Rechargeable Ceramic Lamp, Ivory & Black
Same cordless gourd lamp in black, 28+ hrs per charge.
Bartlett Rechargeable Ceramic Lamp, Ivory & Nickel
The gourd lamp with nickel fittings, 28+ hrs per charge.
Bella Small Rechargeable Ceramic Lamp, Ivory & Brass
Petite ceramic lamp with full-size battery life.
Bella Small Rechargeable Ceramic Lamp, Ivory & Black
The petite Bella in black, no cord needed.
Bella Small Rechargeable Ceramic Lamp, Ivory & Nickel
Petite Bella with nickel fittings, full-size battery life.
Marilyn Rechargeable Ceramic Lamp, Ivory & Brass
A stately, curvy ceramic made entirely in America.
Marilyn Rechargeable Ceramic Lamp, Ivory & Nickel
The curvy American-made ceramic with nickel fittings.
Cooee 1c Rechargeable Table Lamp by NEOZ
Australian design, IP64 outdoor-ready, five-year warranty.
Albert Rechargeable Table Lamp by NEOZ
No cord, no outlet, built to be repaired.
Yurei Table Lamp by Koncept
Dims smoothly and charges your phone by the bed.
Demetra Micro Table Lamp by Artemide
Best for desks and reading, dimmable.
FAQ
How tall should a nightstand lamp be?
As a rule of thumb, about two-thirds the height of the nightstand, and no more than about 1.5 times the height of the surface it sits on.
How wide should the shade be?
About twice the width of the base, and narrower than the nightstand top.
How far should the lamp be from the bed?
Roughly 19-21 inches from the top edge of the mattress is a common guideline.
What if my nightstand is tiny?
Go slim and tall, or choose an adjustable arm lamp or a cordless lamp that frees up the outlet and cord space.
Do I need two matching lamps?
One lamp per nightstand keeps the bed balanced, especially with a king-size bed, but they do not have to match.
Need help choosing? Ask our design team.