THE PERFECT READING LIGHT

Why is the right reading light important?

What bookworm doesn’t enjoy spending cosy hours with a good read? At home on the sofa, at the table, in the bath or in bed before going to sleep… And to ensure that reading becomes a pleasure and a way to relax, we need light – the right reading light. This is hardly achievable with just general room lighting or a single lamp. 

But what is suitable as reading lighting, and which light sources offer the ideal balance between practicality and aesthetics? A few simple guidelines can help here: 

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LIGHT SOURCE / LIGHT FIXTURE 

• Glare-free
  lighting: Scattered light is unpleasant for the eyes and causes unnecessary strain. So, either conceal the light source within a stylish shade or opt for matt and satin-finished surfaces from the outset. Not only does this look attractive, but it also ensures even, glare-free light.

• Brightness : Regardless
  of the light source – whether LED light sources, incandescent bulbs or halogen spotlights – it must be bright enough. 300–500 lux is recommended. The older we get, the more light our eyes need. If a reading area is to be used by several generations, a dimmable reading light solution is definitely worth considering. 
  
  
• Color of light and CRI
  For cosy reading at home and relaxation, we should use a warm white light. It is gentle on the eyes and soothing. 2200–3300 Kelvin is suitable. For reading in the office or at work, where attention and concentration are required, a daylight lamp can be a good alternative if there is insufficient light. In both cases, good color rendering of the light source is important; a high CRI of at least 90 should be ensured. 
  
  
• Shape and design
  Ultra-stylish isn’t always practical. Directional, glare-free light is essential when setting up a reading corner! A spotlight or spot lamp is perfectly fine here. A lampshade that directs the light in the right direction is also a good alternative.

THE READING LIGHT IN THE ROOM 

Darkness is, of course, cosy. However, our eyes are already working hard when we read. Basic lighting is essential if we want to avoid putting unnecessary strain on our eyes and causing them to tire. We can then also equip the reading area with a directional reading light source. This helps us avoid large differences in brightness that we would otherwise have to compensate for. Even when there is daylight in a room, it sometimes makes perfect sense to switch on the reading light source!

THE PLACE 

Even the best and most beautiful reading light is useless if it is positioned incorrectly. 

• The distance
  : essentially, there are three distances to consider. From the light source to the book, from the light source to the face, and from the book to the eyes. The latter, of course, simply depends on your eyesight! The distance from the light source to the book should be chosen so that the pages are evenly and equally illuminated. The distance of the light source from the body should be adjusted for personal comfort; one should avoid having the light source too close to the head or within the range of movement. 
  
  
• The direction
  To avoid glare and reflections as much as possible, the reading light should ALWAYS come from the side and be directed at the text. This ensures that the reflected light is not cast directly back into the eyes and does not cause glare.

THE SETUP 

When changing seating or reclining positions, such as on the sofa, floor or table lamps with two light sources are very practical. A ceiling floodlight for general lighting and a flexible spotlight or downlight for directed reading light. 

Fixed wall lamps are rarely adjustable; a wall socket with a joint or a shade can help here. A flexible clamp lamp can also be a good solution, as these can be used anywhere – on a shelf, on a table or on an armchair. 

On double beds, swivelling or rotating lamps should definitely be installed on each side. Firstly, to allow for different positions, and secondly, so as not to disturb the person sleeping next to you. This way, we can relax and keep the peace at home.

With these few tips and basic rules, reading will once again become a truly relaxing and enjoyable experience. 

Incidentally, for all fans of e-readers and tablets: the device’s own backlight should not be your only source of light! Whilst you may no longer need directed light, there should still be some ambient lighting in the room. This is because the difference in brightness and the often cool screen light strain and tire our eyes.