Creating a Comfortable Bedside for Nighttime Reading

Entry #2487, June 3, 2013

Many people have the habit of curling up in their bedroom with a book or magazine before going to sleep. This good habit helps you unwind and after a stressful day it makes it easier to fall asleep. By arranging for enough lighting and other bedside amenities, you can make this bedtime reading very comfortable. Here are tips to make your bedroom more comfortable for bedtime reading.

Bedtime reading idea – task lighting

Image via: Birdseye Design

Use Task Lighting

The first thing you have to arrange for is enough lighting to save your eyes from strain. Natural light is a good option but it is not enough to read by. You will need alternative light source, especially to read at night. Task lighting will be great for reading as it, unlike table lamps, can be adjusted to shine directly on the reading materials. Adjustable lamps like gooseneck works best for task lighting. On the other hand, it will be better to use incandescent bulbs for task lighting because they produce tender, white light that is bright enough to read by.

Use lighting over your headboard for optimum comfort

Image via: FORMA Design

Pillows

Pillows can be a great addition to comfortable reading as they provide adequate support for your back, neck, and head so that you can enjoy reading comfortably. Choose a pillow that will hold up your back while you loosen up in bed. Some pillows are designed to support the back and neck while another type of pillows designed to support the arms too. You should experiment before purchase to make sure that you are buying the right pillow.

Use sufficient pillows to support your back and neck.

Image via: Home Gallery Design

Bed Lights

One of the most annoying situations can be the moment when you are about to fall asleep with a book in hands but you have to get up from bed to turn off the light. Make use of bed lights to avoid this torture. Consider installing dedicated reading lamps on one or both sides of the bed. These fixtures will create a private corner for you on the bed besides providing adequate light for reading books. However, the greatest advantage of them is that you do not have to leave the comfort of your bed to turn them off.

Choose Flexible Lighting Fixtures

Wall-mounted reading lights above the bed or close to the bedsides are a good option but articulated reading lights will give you the maximum flexibility. You can adjust these lights according to your height and reading position. However, choose a style that will cast light in a single thin beam rather than disseminating it over the surrounding space.

Shelf for Books

You will also need a good storage to place your books before going to sleep because tossing up on the floor is not a good option. A bookshelf built into the headboard wall, a shelf beneath the bed, a slim tiered shelf beside the bed, or a nightstand can solve this problem.

A headboard bookshelf for easy storage of books before falling asleep.

Image via: Flickr

You can also make use of other amenities like clip-on book lights or padded headboard. However, just make sure that you are getting the comfort that you have been seeking for.

For more bedroom ideas on Stagetecture, click here.