Ask an Editor: How Tall Should Nightstand Lamps Be?

Dear Editor,

I’m helping my mom refresh my childhood bedroom so she can finally turn it into a proper guest room, and I’ve hit an unexpected design wall. Exactly how tall should nightstand lamps be?

We’ve been planning to keep the nightstands already in the room because they’re antique and have sentimental value, but they’re shorter than most modern nightstands. I’m starting to wonder if that makes things trickier when it comes to choosing the right lighting. Do you recommend replacing them with something taller and more functional, or should we work with what we already have?

I’ve tried looking up guidelines for lamp height, but most of the advice is vague, like “just keep it proportional.” This doesn’t help me much when I’m scrolling through hundreds of lamps online and second-guessing each option. I want something that feels warm and cozy while providing enough usable light, especially since guests will be using the space, reading, and getting up at night.

Should I be measuring the nightstands and aiming for a specific lamp height to match? Is there a general rule for how the lamp should line up with the mattress height? And if the room feels a bit snug, would plug-in wall sconces be a better option altogether so a lamp doesn’t overwhelm the space?

I want the room to feel intentional and functional. Any guidance you can share would be helpful!

Sincerely,
Guest Room Glow-Getter

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Dear Guest Room Glow-Getter,

When it comes to choosing the right sized bedside table lamps, there are actually a few different things to consider. While you do need to make sure the lamps are proportional to the nightstands, you need to make sure they are proportional to the other bedroom furniture as well. For example, if you have a dainty open-frame iron bed and large bedside lamps with heavy bases, things are going to look off. As far as choosing a lamp to fit the nightstand, the general rule is that the lamp should be 1/3 to 2/3 the width of the nightstand. Following this general guideline can help avoid the table and lamp combo looking too top- or bottom-heavy.

Another important consideration for bedside lighting is the arc of the light that the lamp gives off and the height of the mattress. To avoid being blinded by the lamp, the bottom of the lampshade should be at or just below your eye level to give off comfortable lighting that can be used for reading. You should also consider the overall size of the room – larger rooms can accommodate more substantial bedside lamps, while they may appear bulky or overwhelming in smaller rooms.

If you want to stick with the shorter nightstands because they have sentimental value, a good option may be choosing smaller table lamps that are proportionate to the tables and layering your lighting with a wall sconce above the headboard, or a pendant light centered on the ceiling. This way you can balance out the overall bedroom setup and have some small lamps for reading while also having the option for more light when you need it. If you want to read more on table lamp sizes and tips on choosing one we have a helpful guide for that: How Tall Should Table Lamps Be & How to Choose the Right One for Your Space.

Good luck on revamping your mom’s guest room, I’m sure it will be a dreamy space!

Sincerely,
Wayfair Editor