What height should bedside wall lights be mounted at?
Mount bedside wall lights so the centre of the fitting sits 1.4–1.6 metres from the floor, putting the light source at seated eye level.
The standard recommendation for bedside wall lights is a centre-height of 1.4–1.6 metres from the finished floor. This places the light source roughly level with your eyes when you are sitting up in bed reading, which avoids direct glare while still casting useful light onto the page or screen.
The exact height within that range depends on two things: your mattress height and your preferred reading posture. A high divan or platform bed with a thick mattress may push the ideal height closer to 1.6 metres, while a lower-slung bed frame suits a fixing point nearer 1.4 metres. If two people share the bed and have very different heights, split the difference or choose adjustable-arm fittings that each person can reposition independently.
Always measure from the floor to the intended centre of the backplate — not the bottom of the shade — before marking the wall. Fixing the backplate even 5 cm too high can shift the light cone away from the pillow area entirely, which defeats the purpose of a dedicated bedside fitting. Mark both sides with a spirit level before drilling so the pair sits at a consistent height across the room.
How far apart should wall lights be positioned either side of a bed?
Space bedside wall lights so each fitting is centred directly above its own bedside table, typically 30–40 cm outboard of the mattress edge.
Horizontal positioning is just as important as height. The goal is for each light to illuminate one person's side of the bed without casting shadows across the other side or creating a single bright pool in the middle.
Start by measuring the full width of your bed frame, then add the width of each bedside table. Centre each fitting directly above its respective table. In most UK bedrooms this works out to roughly 30–40 cm outboard of the mattress edge, but the bedside table width governs the final figure — not an arbitrary rule.
For a standard UK king-size bed (150 cm wide) with 40 cm bedside tables on each side, the two fittings will typically be around 230 cm apart centre-to-centre. Double-check that this spacing still looks balanced against the headboard. If the headboard is narrower than the bed frame, consider pulling the lights in slightly so they frame the headboard rather than sitting beyond it visually.
Key points to confirm before fixing:
- Each light centred above its own bedside table
- Both lights at identical heights (use a spirit level)
- Neither light overlapping the headboard visually
- Enough wall clearance for the fitting's backplate on each side
Should bedside wall lights be hardwired or plug-in?
Hardwired wall lights give a cleaner finish, but plug-in fittings are a practical choice in rented homes or where rewiring is not feasible.
Hardwired installations look neater because there are no visible cables trailing down the wall, and they allow you to control both lights from a single switched circuit. However, any new hardwired circuit or modification to an existing one in a UK bedroom must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. The Electrical Safety First guidance on installation certificates is a useful reference for understanding when a certificate is required, and the same principles apply indoors — always use a registered electrician for new circuits.
Plug-in wall lights are a legitimate alternative. Modern plug-in fittings route the cable neatly down the wall and behind skirting boards, and many are indistinguishable from hardwired versions at a glance. They suit renters who cannot make permanent alterations, or homeowners who want to trial a position before committing to plasterwork.
For either type, ensure the switch is accessible from the bed. A light that requires you to get up to turn it off is a design failure regardless of how well it is positioned. Hardwired fittings can be wired to a bedside switch; plug-in versions should have an inline switch on the cable or a smart plug for app or voice control.
What type of wall light works best as a bedside reading light?
Adjustable-arm or directional wall lights work best for bedside reading because they let you angle the beam precisely without disturbing a partner.
Fixed decorative fittings, such as up-down cylinders or circular LED panels, create ambient light and suit bedrooms where both occupants read at the same time or where the primary function is mood lighting rather than task lighting. They are a good choice when you want the fittings to contribute to the overall look of the room as much as the light output.
Directional or adjustable-arm fittings are the better option for dedicated reading. A pivoting spot can be angled to cast a tight beam onto a book without spilling light across the room. This matters most when one person wants to read while the other sleeps.
Colour temperature also affects comfort. Warm white (2700–3000K) is the standard recommendation for bedrooms because it is less stimulating than cool white. Research from the Energy Saving Trust highlights the role of lighting controls in managing energy and comfort — fitting a dimmer-compatible wall light gives you the flexibility to drop the output before sleep.
Look for fittings with a lumen output of 300–500 lm per side for reading, or 150–250 lm if the lights are purely decorative and you rely on a separate ceiling fitting for task light.