When it comes to picking the right reading lamp, there’s a lot more at stake than the look of a room. Eye strain, headaches, and other discomforts can be the result of improper lighting. Luckily, they can be easily avoided with the right fixtures.

To pick the right lamp for reading, consider the setting. Are you in bed? At a desk? Sitting in an armchair in the corner of the room? Each situation calls for a unique lighting setup. But regardless of the fixture, you’re looking for the same thing in every case: bright light directed at your reading material. (For some nitty-gritty tips on selecting the right bulbs, check out this handy guide on the Lifehack.org website).

Add a dimmer to transition from reading to resting, and keep in mind that unless someone is trying to sleep next to you, it’s best to have evenly distributed light in the room, in addition to the focused reading light, in order to avoid eye strain. This is as much the case with backlit screens as it is for old-school books.

Reading in Bed

If you like to read in bed, you have several options. If you have a bedside table with a big-enough surface, a table lamp with a lampshade that directs light downward like the AJ Table Lamp is a good option.

If you don’t have a table, or can’t spare the surface area, consider a wall-mounted option—ideally one that angles and offers directed light. The Tolomeo Mini Wall Light or the FlexiLED Wall Light seen below offer a lot of flexibility so you get just the right amount of light focused on your task or reading materials.

Reading on the Sofa or Armchair

If you like to read on the couch or in an armchair, a floor lamp with a moveable, adjustable head that provides direct illumination is key.

Or consider a counterweighted wall-mounted fixture like the Mod 265 Wall Sconce which provides similarly directed light.

Reading at a Desk or Task Area

And if you’re reading at a desk, a task lamp is your best friend. There are myriad options, but our favorites are those with a little personality, like the Original 1227 Task Light or Gravy LED Desk Lamp.

Whether in a bright, glossy color, chrome, brass, or an unexpected combination of colors and materials – think of it as a functional tabletop sculpture.

For More Inspiration: