make sure your lamp(s) are tall enough for the light to shine where you need it.

LED bulbs, for sure. the color of the lamp shade will affect the light too.

lamp shade will be white

Depending on the room I like to be able to adjust my light levels. I keep the lights fairly dim when I am alone but would likely up the lighting with guests.

For that reason, I select lamps that can take a 3-way bulb. The bulb below can have the equivalent of 50/100/150 watts, but because it's LED, it only uses 7/10/15 actual watts.

I just switched to the 3-way LED bulbs after using up the last of the incandescent ones I had "hoarded"! They work pretty much like the old ones, but you get a bit less light around the sides and bottom compared to the all glass incandescent design.

No.

Hahaha!

I can barely see to read with 100 watts , at night, even after cataract surgery. But I am probably older than you. My grandchildren are line cars— they can see their storybooks with just a nightlight.

So it depends a lot on your vision, other lighting sources, & whether the light will shine directly on your reading material. I really like swing- arm, lever, or bendable light sources for bedside for “ real” books, as I can direct the light. But these are frequently fewer choices and not as “ pretty” as the usual bedside table lamps in inspo pictures.

… “like cats”, it was supposed to be.

Why not get lamps that allow 100W bulbs so you have the choice?

yes I think I should do that, was trying to stay with smaller lamps but will get a taller one. Just curious if a 3 way bulb can be put in any lamp.

You can put in the higher watt bulb, and if the lamp doesn‘t come with a dimmer option, yoi can buy a dimmer to attach to the lamp. That’s what I did to my bedside lamp, and I love being able to dim if I want to. I believe the dimmer is from Amazon.

A really good bedside lamp ( a good lamp in general ) allows for a three way bulb , 50/100/150 especially if you are reading paper back or hardback books, magazines. It depends your age, your eyesight.

It depends do you read sitting up, lying down on your side. Even the lampshade will affect the light. I didn't used to be a fan, I loved books in normal paper format. That said? There are a LOT of advantages to digital - whether Kindle, Nook, an I pad,...that include not only a bright screen such as "paper white" but expense saved, variety at your fingertips and portability without weight- whether in the sky, or sitting in your dentists waiting room.

Lamps don't HAVE to live on the tables....you can also mount a swing arm, either side of the bed.: ) When placed well and adjustable, even less wattage can be very effective.

Sorry but you want to read but do not want brightness LEDs so much nicer to read by and the brighness is what you want for reading and the lights are not going to be left on while you sleep so not sure the issue at night. I agree as to style of light how you read is a the driving force a nice LED 3500K will give a much nicer light than an incandecsent 100WATT bulb I find most people have way too small a lamp for bedside even when they do not read.

"Just curious if a 3 way bulb can be put in any lamp."

No. A 3-way bulb -- and the socket the holds it -- has three contacts while a regular bulb has only two. The lamp's switch provides current to the low-wattage contact, the medium-wattage contact or both to provide low, medium, or high brightness, respectively. High brightness is like turning on two bulbs in the same glass container.

I'd rather have a lamp with a dimmer and replaceable, dimmable bulb. For example, this Double Gourd Accent Table Lamp accepts a dimmable lightbulb with a common E26 base that you can find at Home Depot.

The 3-way cycles through all the levels every time it is used. If you are using low you have to go through high to turn it off which I hate. Using a dimmer is much better for me.

Yeah......those two extra clicks are a killer : )) On a lamp costing a grand or more? You often can just "dial back"...............smooooooth.