Soft ambient lighting is necessary, especially in the bedroom.
Your inner escape and sleep sanctuary should be a soft, comforting place; somewhere that never knows the brash touch of the Big Light, especially when you’re trying to wind down in the evening.
Whether you’re watching just one more episode of an addictive boxset, trying to feed your imagination with a page-turning read or ignoring blue light advice by scrolling through social media before hitting the hay, creating a calming environment with soft mood lighting can help prepare the body for deep, restful sleep.
So, using overhead illumination is out of the question (unless it's dimmable and even then it’s a maybe) - what are the options? Floor lamps can be tucked into corners while choosing an uplighter iteration throws illumination up against the wall and ceiling, creating a more diffused glow.
The big factor, aside from the light a lamp casts, is how convenient it will be to turn off when your eyes are heavy with sleep. Forcing yourself out of bed to turn off a light risks pulling you out of the state of relaxation you’ve got yourself in. And therein lies the beauty of a bedside lamp.
The short design with a modest footprint can be housed on your bedside table with a switch at arm’s length to flick it off when zzz’s come calling. Alternatively, a wall-mounted light by the side of the headboard gives boutique hotel vibes without adding clutter to your space.
Want a true swanky London hotel look? Invest in two matching lamps to set on either side of the mattress. Even if you’re in a single bed or decorating a guestroom, symmetry is the interiors hack to elevated interiors.
There are thousands of bedside lamps ready to add light, colour and character to your space, making finding your perfect one a bit of a challenge. Never fear; ES Best is here to sort the wheat from the chaff and find the finest bulbs for your cash.
From eclectic wildlife-inspired bases to patterned lampshades and statement colour palettes, see the best in show bedside lamps below.
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M&S Kirsten Ceramic Table Lamp
Nailing the continuing cottagecore trend, this darling little lamp comes from M&S’s lighting section, a place full of hidden gems. From its petite stature (measuring just 32.2cm high) to the gingham check and scallop trimmed lampshade, it offers the perfect cheerful pop with which to punctuate the bedroom.
Also available in red, blue and green options.
Buy now £49.50, M&S
Joe Browns Road To Jaipur Set Of 2 Leopard Lamps
It takes a certain kind of kitsch to embrace these pink leopard lamps, but if that’s you, welcome to the only dressing your bedside table needs. The ceramic bases may be striking enough, but the patterned cotton sateen lampshade is the icing on the proverbial cake.
Buy now £125.00, Joe Browns
Lumie Bodyclock Rise 100 Lamp
British brand Lumie strives to empower sleepers to reconnect with their natural rhythms for better sleep, increased mood and to boost energy levels.
Its Bodyclock Rise lamp is more than just a lamp. The sunrise alarm clock will encourage you to wake up gradually to the natural colours of a mimicked sunrise and wind down at night to a fading sunset, dimming gradually over 30 minutes to drift you off into a sound slumber. The sweet rounded shape sits perfectly on a bedside table and also features an optional alarm.
Buy now £74.34, Amazon
SO'HOME Leighton Scalloped Ceramic Table Lamp
Scallops are here to stay, in homewares at least. If you dream of making your bed chamber look like a high-end hotel (and really, who doesn’t?), this lamp offers a winning final touch. A monochrome ombre shade tops a cylindrical, scalloped base with gold-coloured metal accents to bring the whole thing to life. Best suited to tall bed frames with high headboards, place one on either bedside table for a speedy style injection.
Also available in green.
Buy now £89.00, La Redoute
John Lewis Mini Luka Ceramic Table Lamps, Set of 2, White
A neutral lamp promises to make a fairly non-offensive addition to your bedroom set-up, and John Lewis’ versions come as a set of two, which means hallowed symmetry is achieved in one fell swoop. We love the textured base, which adds some interest to the piece. When you fancy a change, simply swap the shades for more colourful alternatives.
Buy now £70.00, John Lewis
H&o Direct Flower-Shaped Glass Bedside Lamp Candle Warmer
This sweet bloom-inspired lamp is perfect for vintage homewares fans (read: grandmas), offering an old-time charm that will add elegance and femininity to the bedside. Set on a marble base, the flower-shaped shade has a ribbed texture which means the light cast is a diffused glow.
Buy now £21.99, Debenhams
Dunelm Twirl Ceramic Table Lamp
An unusual base can go a long way to making homewares seem more expensive. Take Dunelm’s lead with its ceramic table lamp. Sure the faux linen shade may be on the sober side, but the curved twirl base is all about the party. The in-line switch makes lights out an easy thing to achieve.
Buy now £35.00, Dunelm
Dunelm Joan Table Lamp
Prop this statement lamp up in your bedroom for a cutting-edge, industrial feel that offers a radiant glow. The modern colourway and dangling effect of the light create a lovely aesthetic and will go down very nicely with interior design enthusiasts. Pop it on at night for some bedtime reading or when needing some extra illumination at when you’re at your desk or dressing table.
Buy now £40.00, Dunelm
Pooky sphynx rechargeable table lamp in white marble
Best for: elevating interiors
White marble and gold are a match made in decor heaven. Pooky has taken the palette for its rechargeable table lamp, which, while expensive at just shy of £200 for the base alone, is one of the chicest renditions we've seen on the market. Pair with the brand's signature patterned lampshades or fit with one you've already got to bring new life to old treasure.
Buy now £199.00, Pooky
Abigail Ahern Cecily LED Lamp
Best for: displaying
Designer Abigail Ahern's style is hard to pin down: a bit boho, a little industrial, a sprinkling of Scandi. While the site is heaving with furniture and home accessories we're dying to fill our homes with, there are plenty of jewels to pick up in the lighting section too.
This gilded mushroom lamp is amongst them and is proving to be a woodland-inspired marvel with dimmable and rechargeable plus points. Add it to your bedside table or shelf for low ambient lighting every evening.
Buy now £38.00, Abigail Ahern
Dunelm Dorma Brimstage Cream Artichoke and Linen Shade Table Lamp
It’s often a lighting look you’ll see in stately homes and hotels on the Continent: the quietly elegant artichoke lamp. Originally conceived by Denmark’s Poul Henningsen back in the late 50s, versions of it remain popular to this day.
They’re most commonly set beside beds, in lounges and in hallways so that the curious ornamental tribute to the veg can be admired from all angles. This version is topped with a linen lampshade, keeping it simple so that the base can shine.
Buy now £55.00, Dunelm
Lexon Mina Small Bedside Lamp
Best for: soft mood lighting
Want softer lighting that your room’s Big Light just can’t give? Head to Amazon, where you can find this little (fun)guy to add zen to your space.
Powered and charged by a USB port, it’s a dinky little thing at just 8.3cm tall, so will suit tables and desktops or anywhere you could use a calming glow.
Buy now £29.90, Amazon
