Reading Lights to Enlighten Literary Luxury
Whether you are an avid novel reader or you just enjoy occasionally flicking through a magazine or newspaper, reading lights are vital. If you don’t have the right level of light to see clearly, you’ll find reading more of a chore than a pleasure.
French novelist, Gustave Flaubert hit the nail on the head when he famously said “What better occupation really, than to spend the evening at the fireside with a book, with the wind beating on the windows and the lamp burning bright”.
Last year, 191 million new books were sold in the UK alone. 62% of Brits will also admit that their favourite pastime on holiday, is to lounge in the sun and read. Reading in the daylight is one thing, but as we know, the sun doesn’t always shine as bright on home shores as it does abroad. So, what are the best reading lights to ensure that you can read your favourite authors all year round?
It will come as no surprise that reading in poor light will make your eyes tire faster than when reading in good light levels. Our top tips to get the best out of your reading lights are:
- Have a subdued level of ambient light and have a brighter, focused light on to the page
- Ideally, your beam light should be at an angle of between 35 to 60 degrees to your page
- Consider how bright you need the light to be. Our eyes age and with that comes a need for more light, but we won’t want glare
- Consider the colour temperature, if you read to study, a cooler white may suit you best, whereas for relaxing reading, a warmer hue will probably be more suited
- Location, location, location. Have your reading lights positioned in the areas where you actually want to read
So, what types of reading lights are there?:
Desk Lamps:
Desk lamps are essentially table lamps that are generally slimmer in design and are able to be adjusted. Angling the light to suit the task in hand is hugely beneficial when working or reading at a desk or table.
Wall Lights with Reading Arms:
Many readers will choose to read in bed as it’s so relaxing and can therefore help us soothe our way to a good night’s sleep. Wall lights that have the added benefit of a reading arm which can be directed to the pages are ideal as they provide both ambient and reading light. If you already have enough ambient light in the room, then consider a wall light that is just a reading light. Neat and tidy, they’ll provide the perfect reading light, just where you need it.
Mother and Child Floor Lamps:
Mother and child floor lamps also provide both ambient and a direct reading light. The arm is generally maneuverable and is an ideal reading light. These are great in living rooms and bedrooms. You can also get reading floor lamps with a direct light which are brilliant to read with. You can tuck these behind a sofa too!
So, pop the kettle on, get your reading light on and settle down for an escapism within your characters stories…
