Interior Designer Tips for Placing Reading Wall Lights in a Guest Bedroom

Place reading wall lights so the shade sits about 50 to 60cm above the top of the mattress, usually 100 to 120cm from the floor, and around 15 to 25cm out from each side of the headboard. Angle the light so it falls on the reader’s lap and book rather than across the pillow beside them. Make sure the switch is within easy reach of someone lying down. Those three points cover most of what interior designers check when planning reading lights for a guest room.

A guest bedroom rarely has generous bedside space, so wall mounted reading lights are especially useful. You can browse adjustable and fixed designs in our modern wall lights UK range, and the tips below explain how to place them with confidence.

Start with how guests actually read

Designers begin by thinking about the person in the bed. Most people read sitting up against pillows, with the book held at chest height. The light needs to land there, slightly in front of the reader and to one side, so the page is evenly lit without the bulb shining into their eyes. Reading lights are only one part of a bedroom scheme, and it helps to plan them alongside the ceiling light and any lamps in our wider modern lighting UK collection, so every source has a clear job.

That is why mounting height is measured from the mattress top, not the floor. A deep mattress on a tall divan sits higher than a slim mattress on a low platform bed, and the lights should follow. Measure the height of the made bed, add 50 to 60cm, and you have a reliable starting point for the centre of the shade.

If guests tend to be tall or you have a very tall headboard, nudge the lights a little higher. If the bed is low and the room has a cosy, cottage feel, slightly lower lights can work well.

Respect the headboard

The headboard defines the space the lights have to work within. A wide, upholstered headboard needs lights placed just beyond its edges so the fittings do not overlap the fabric. A narrow or slatted headboard gives more freedom.

As a guide, leave 15 to 25cm between the edge of the headboard and the backplate of each light. That gap stops the arrangement looking cramped and keeps the light far enough to the side to avoid casting a shadow of the reader’s head onto the page.

If the headboard is very tall, consider lights with a long arm or a swing arm design so the shade can reach forward over the bedside area. If you are choosing a new bed for the room, our modern beds UK collection includes headboard heights and widths that leave room for wall lights.

Beam direction and glare

A good reading light is directional. Look for shades that point downward or adjustable heads that can be angled. Open, upward facing shades are better for ambient light than reading.

Designers pay close attention to glare. If two people share the bed, each light should illuminate one side without spilling across the other pillow. Narrow beam lights, cone shades and hooded designs help here. In a twin room, the same principle applies across the gap between the beds.

Warm white bulbs at around 2700 to 3000K suit bedrooms. They are comfortable for reading and help guests wind down. If you can, choose dimmable lights so guests can soften the light once they have finished their book.

Switches within reach

A guest should never have to climb out of bed to turn off a reading light. Fittings with a switch on the light head, a pull cord or a switch on the backplate are the simplest solution. For hardwired lights, an electrician can install a switch at the bedside, at a height that is easy to reach from a lying position.

Think about visibility in the dark too. A switch in a contrasting finish or a slightly larger rocker is easier to find. Guests are in an unfamiliar room, so the more obvious the control, the better.

Single, double and twin rooms

Double or king beds

Fit a light on each side, mirroring the positions. Symmetry looks calm and makes the room feel well prepared for couples.

Single beds

One light on the open side of the bed is usually enough. If the bed is against a wall, mount the light on the wall above the bedside table side and angle it toward the pillow.

Twin beds

Place one light on the outer side of each bed and consider a shared light between them if there is a bedside table in the middle. Make sure each guest can control their own light independently.

Bedside furniture and reading lights

Wall lights free up bedside table space, so you can choose smaller cabinets without losing function. A compact bedside cabinet with a drawer gives guests somewhere for glasses, a phone and a book. Our modern bedside cabinets UK range includes slim designs for narrower guest rooms.

The top of the bedside cabinet should sit roughly level with the mattress top, so items are easy to reach. If your cabinet is lower, raise the light slightly to compensate. Our guide to bedside table measurements for UK bedrooms explains how to match cabinet heights to beds.

Keep the area beneath the light uncluttered. A small dish for jewellery, a carafe of water and a few books are enough. A guest room that feels clear and calm is more welcoming than one filled with decoration.

Plug in and rechargeable options

Many guest bedrooms are not rewired when furnished. Plug in wall lights, which need only a nearby socket and a few screws, are a practical solution. Choose a fabric covered cable in a colour that matches the wall and route it neatly down behind the bedside cabinet.

Rechargeable wall lights are another option, especially in rented homes. They offer flexible placement and often include dimming and a touch control. Charge them before guests arrive so the light is ready when needed.

Styles that suit a guest bedroom

A guest bedroom is a good place for gentle, timeless styles that suit many tastes. Consider:

• Swing arm lights in brass or bronze, for flexibility and a classic look.
• Simple cone or dome shades in matt black, white or soft colours.
• Fabric shaded lights in linen or cotton, which feel soft and hotel like.
• Minimal LED reading lights with slim adjustable heads, for modern rooms.

Choose a finish that ties in with the rest of the room, such as handles on a chest of drawers or the frame of a mirror. A guest room is shared by many different visitors over the years, so neutral finishes such as soft bronze, aged brass, warm white or matt black tend to suit the widest range of tastes.

Testing the position before you drill

Designers rarely fix a reading light without testing it first. Ask someone to sit up in bed with a book while you hold the light against the wall at the planned height. Switch it on if the cable allows, or use a torch to mimic the beam. Mark the wall lightly with a pencil once the position feels right, then check both sides of the bed match.

Check that the light clears the headboard when the arm is folded and that it will not knock against a bedside lamp, a curtain or an open window. Small adjustments of a few centimetres at this stage save filling and repainting later.

When the guest room doubles as a study

Many UK guest bedrooms are also home offices, hobby rooms or storage spaces. Reading wall lights can help with these uses too. A swing arm light beside a sofa bed or day bed can be angled toward a desk during the day and toward the pillow at night.

In multipurpose rooms, consider storage that keeps everyday clutter out of sight when guests arrive. A wardrobe with space cleared for visitors’ clothes makes them feel at home. Our article on wardrobe ideas for a UK guest bedroom has practical suggestions for rooms that serve more than one purpose.

Small touches designers add

A few details make guests feel looked after. Include a soft ambient light, such as a small table lamp or a dimmable ceiling light, so the room is not lit only by reading lights. Leave a spare bulb or a charging cable for rechargeable lights in a drawer. Test every light before guests arrive and check that it is angled correctly for the bed.

Above all, sit in the bed yourself with a book. Ten minutes of reading will tell you more about the placement than any measurement.

A room that welcomes

Reading wall lights placed at the right height, at the right distance from the headboard and with switches in easy reach transform a guest bedroom. They free up space, reduce clutter and give visitors light that is genuinely useful. You can find wall lights, beds and bedside furniture together at Furniture in Fashion.

Frequently asked questions

How high should reading wall lights be above a bed?

Aim for the shade to sit about 50 to 60cm above the top of the mattress. That is often 100 to 120cm from the floor, depending on bed height.

How far from the headboard should wall lights be?

Leave around 15 to 25cm between the edge of the headboard and each light’s backplate so the arrangement feels balanced and the light falls to the side.

What type of wall light is best for reading in bed?

Directional lights with downward or adjustable shades, such as swing arm or hooded designs, give focused light without glare.

Can I fit reading wall lights without rewiring?

Yes. Plug in wall lights need only a nearby socket, and rechargeable lights need no wiring at all.