Light for reading and studying: what it should look like and the best lamps

7 December 2022
Lighting
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Reading is a very pleasant and enriching activity. If done in the wrong way, however, it can cause unpleasant visual injuries in the long run.

That is why it is important to use the right reading and study light, no matter what time of day it is or where in the home we prefer to carve out some privacy and read.

If it's true that any bright light is good for focusing your attention on a book without harming your eyesight, there are certain light that will enhance your reading experience.

There are various aspects to take into account, from the distance of the bulb to the reading position, from the lumens for ideal reading to the different types of lamps that are perfect for readers.

We will talk about all this and much more in the following paragraphs!

How to place the perfect reading light?

When reading, it is important to spread the light evenly.

On this subject, there are some questions you need to ask yourself. Do you change your position a lot while reading? Do you read in different parts of the room or on a dedicated desk? Do you usually read a huge amount of work material or do you dabble in light reading?

If you read in different parts of the room (or house) or change position frequently, then a set of lamps that illuminate the room evenly is the best option. This way, you will be able to move or read in the place you prefer without changing lighting and without worrying about not having the right light.

But if you prefer to stay in one place - for example at your desk, if your reading is for work or study - then you should consider a wall or desk lamp, which can directly illuminate the area of the house or room where you usually read.

Even if you use this light as your main source for reading, make sure that the rest of the room is adequately lit.

For night readers, a wall lamp placed next to the bed will provide a better reading experience than a bedside lamp.

How to deal with online readings?

More and more people are shifting towards reading online or using devices such as tablets for reading. Although it is known that reading from a screen for long hours can be very harmful to the eyes, there are some precautions you can take to reduce the harm and discomfort as much as possible.

For those who use to read from a screen for long periods, it is important to have a bright central light source in the room. This can be completed by another, smaller light source close to your reading station. The important thing is that none of these lights fall directly on the screen, as this would require making the screen even brighter.

You should also consider using anti-blue light or 'dark' and 'night' screens: these will help reduce the heat of the light coming off the screen and allow you to read longer without stress.

Also try reducing the brightness level of the screen when you have to read or study for long hours.

AGOF's selection of design lamps suitable for reading

On AGOF Store you will find many design lamps suitable for reading. Take a look at the products we have selected for you in the carousel below and be inspired by our recommendations!