Test the light from your pillow
Sit in your normal reading position using your usual pillows and back support. Place a temporary lamp on the bedside table and check whether you can see the bulb directly. A shade that looks ideal while standing may glare when you are in bed. Try moving it before deciding you need more output.
The beam should reach the book without making you turn it awkwardly or lean forward. If you share the bed, check how far the light spills across the other side. An adjustable fitting can focus illumination, but its joint needs to hold position and remain easy to reach.
Separate reading from ambient light
Gentle general lighting and a separate reading light provide more flexibility than one very bright lamp. Compare the effect against your actual finishes: dark walls and opaque shades alter light distribution. Electrical wattage alone does not tell you how much useful brightness you will get.
Check lumens, colour temperature and compatibility if you want dimming. An incompatible bulb and dimmer may behave poorly together. For fixed wall lights, use a qualified installer where appropriate rather than improvising electrical connections for the sake of a particular appearance.
Think about switching it off
The switch should be reachable without getting up or pulling on the cord. Keep cables away from walking routes and avoid trapping them behind the headboard. The bedside surface still needs room for everyday belongings, so a large lamp base can be less practical than it looks in a photograph.
For a wall light, mark the proposed position and test it while sitting before fixing it. Allow for realistic changes to mattress or pillow height without trying to anticipate every possible arrangement. How you use the bed now is the main reference. A discreet orientation light for getting up at night can remain separate if you actually need one.
