How Tall Should a Bedside Lamp Be?

A bedside lamp adds decor and light to a room.

Ideal Lamp Height

A bedside table lamp should not be too large or too small, but a happy medium. The size of your lamp should be based upon the size of the bedside table it sits upon. According to William Miller Design, if your nightstand is 24 inches to 30 inches tall, the ideal height for a lamp is 27 inches to 32 inches tall.

Proportional to the Size of the Bed

If you have a very large, tall bed and bedside tables, you will need a lamp that is larger in scale for the most visually appealing look. If you have a smaller bed and nightstands, a smaller lamp will suffice. If your nightstands are much shorter than your bed, use taller lamps to even the scale, and if they are taller than the bed, use shorter lamps.

Bottom Line

Base the height of your lamp on the height and size of your bedside tables and bed. For 24- to 30-inch nightstands, opt for a lamp that is 27 to 32 inches tall. If the furniture is large and tall, use taller lamps, and if the furniture is small and low, use shorter lamps.