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bedside lamp for reading

6 years ago

I'm old school, I like to read books - my husband goes to sleep earlier than I do, and I don't want the nightstand lamp on, it's too much light. So I use those clip on book lights, but I hate them. Either they don't stay on well, or they're too bright or not bright enough. So I need to find a lamp solution. I used to have a touch lamp that had three levels of brightness, but I can't find those anymore. I suppose i could get a low wattage bulb for the bedside lamp I have now and try that or maybe a swing arm lamp that doesn't look too "hotel". Any suggestions?

Comments (22)

  • 6 years ago

  • 6 years ago

    I'm sorry--couldn't help it.....as I am sitting here in the dark with my laptop next to my snoring husband. Yeah--I have the same dilemma--hope someone has the perfect lamp. Sometimes I just position a pillow to throw some shade on my husband while I have the lamp on.

  • 6 years ago

    Didn't three way light bulbs go to 250 so I could really see to read? And lamps would work with a bulb that bright. Or am I misremembering.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Get a Kindle. For sure a low wattage bulb will not be enough to read by. Or do what the pic shows and get hubby a mask.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Violetsnapdragon - your response was AWESOME! Was great to have a good chuckle early on a Tuesday morning!

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    A Holt Kotter dimmable swing arm desk lamp, or "aging eye" below.. Or read on a Kindle Or a Nook. Once you try it, you won't go back to "paper". Lighting from cool to warm.

    An "aging eye" Holt Kotter is the best ( I have one) but will set you back nearly 500 bucks.Best reading light in bed : ) Halogen, and nothing better. Easy reach dimmer from lala land.....I have one next to my comfy chair in the living room as well. The halogen bulb lasts for years........and years. Get one while you can, as they are made in Germany, and even Germany is forcing to LED. No. it is NOT as good. I have put these in so many client homes, and every single one loves them. Floor, or table. They don't call them "lighting machines" for nothing. Worth every penny.





  • 6 years ago

    I second the holt kotter, they’re pricey but great. Though I read off my iPad, it’s not healthy at nighttime in bed, really disrupts sleep hygiene in many ways, especially the light spectrum it emits.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    My husband and I had the same problem. He reads and I sleep but I can't sleep with extra light. We went thru the gamut of lights. He eventually got a Kindle (which has adjustments for softer/warmer light) and it was a game changer for us both!

  • 6 years ago

    I have a Kindle and read a lot on that, but I also often request new release books from the library which are most often the real thing, not digital.

    Thanks for all the responses! I think my best bet is the flexible clamp on the headboard idea (ok, when I get a headboard). thank you @suezbell!

  • 6 years ago

    You're welcome.

  • 6 years ago

    I think the perfect solution, depending on your age, is separate bedrooms! The snoring alone is enough grounds for sleeping separately, never mind the reading issue.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Or just live alone : ) It HAS its advantages, trust me on that : )

  • 6 years ago

    Have you thought of using a headlamp? This is my standard solution in multi-person bedrooms.


    Ikea also has some very slender wall mount lights with extendable arms and small shades. I'll bet they focus in a very small area, so shouldn't be a bother to someone else.

  • 6 years ago

    LOL! Well, separate bedrooms and a divorce are kind of extreme solutions, but thank you! I am half deaf so his snoring doesn't bother me. Gee, aren't I lucky, haha!

    I'll try a clip lamp, that should be better than clipping onto the book. Books are coming back in style! People are realizing that they don't "own" the books they buy at $13 a pop. I know chances are Amazon isn't going anywhere- but weirder things have happened. I've heard of peoples' accounts being frozen, deleted, etc etc. Heck, Russia could even hack it and delete it all. ;)

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Our floor lamp could be a great addition to your home. This new design has a reading light so you can only have that light on if you need. We also do custom lighting so we will be able to work to feed your needs and wants. Different amount of pendants, and size of canopy etc. We also do 2D drawing before so you can have an idea of what it would look like before committing! Feel free to visit onhttps://shakuff.com/ or our instagram @shakuff_ :)

    Floor Lamp || New Design & New Product 2020 · More Info


    Floor Lamp || New Design & New Product 2020 · More Info


  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I have an Ikea clip on light, the light itself is very small maybe 1 inch across. The clip on is strong, and you can direct the light to focus just on your book. I'm quite happy with mine, altho hubby when I'm reading is not yet in bed, so don't know how it would affect another person but I suspect would be o.k. Like these little lights so much I purchased a second one for my sewing machine to help thread needle. The light is quite bright but limited to a small area.

  • 6 years ago

    I am also old school. I like books, not e-readers. Interesting discussion. I'm going to try some of these.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    If the touch lamp with 3 levels worked for you in the past, go to your local Lowes or Home Depot and buy a tabletop dimmer made by Lutron or Leviton. Make sure you get one compatible with the type of light bulb you'll be using - incandescent, halogen, LED, or CFL. They'll be around $11 - $15. They come in black, brown or white.

    • Simply plug into an outlet and plug lamp into dimmer; no wiring
    • Dimmer switch sits next to lamp on nightstand
    • Easy slide operation allows you to adjust lights to desired level



  • 6 years ago

    Try a OttLight LED lamp. It is an artist's lamp for seeing true colors, but you can change the brightness three levels at a touch, and they are flexible for altering the light direction.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    If you don't find anything that suits your needs, you can have one made to fit your needs.


    Places to look:

    Etsy.com

    CustomMade.com/marketplace

    Me


    PROS:

    - Made based on your needs

    - You can have it with a dimmer (three-level-touch if design allows it)

    - High quality materials

    - Made in the US


    CONS:

    - Probably a little pricier than a mass produced lamp