Radial Double Arm Wall Light: How to Position It for Reading

By Spark & Bell - Handmade Lighting UK | Custom Pendants | Published: 2026-10-31

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to position the Radial adjustable double arm wall light for reading, from seat height and arm angles to bedroom spacing and glare control.

Quick answer

Mount the Radial double arm wall light so the lower arm sits roughly at seated shoulder height beside your reading chair or bed, then angle the brass discs down and slightly across the page rather than into your eyes. Use the adjustable arms to bring light forward over your book, not to push it higher up the wall.

Why the Radial suits reading beside a chair or bed

The Radial was designed for an open stairwell, so its long asymmetric arms and large brass discs throw light across a vertical space. That same reach works in a reading corner: the two arms let you place one disc over the page and the other toward the wall for softer background light. The key is treating the arms as positioning tools, not decoration. If you simply centre the fixture above a bedside table, the light lands behind your book and creates shadow on the page.

When a double arm is more than you need

A double arm wall light bedroom setup gives flexibility, but it also asks for more deliberate aiming. In a very tight alcove, the longer arm may swing close to a curtain or wardrobe door, so check clearance before fixing the bracket. If you only ever read sitting upright in one spot, a single fixed arm can be simpler; the Radial earns its place when you want to switch between reading in bed and reading in a chair, or when you want one disc to graze the wall for ambience.

Step-by-step positioning for reading

Measure from the seat, not the floor: Sit in your reading chair or on the edge of the bed and mark the height of your shoulder. Plan the wall bracket so the lower arm pivots roughly at or just above that mark, with the disc able to hang above your book. Common mistake: measuring from the floor and ending up with light that shines over your shoulder. Check the mark while seated in the actual chair you will read in.
Set the bracket beside the reading position: Fix the bracket to the side of the chair or bed rather than directly behind it, leaving enough wall space for the longer arm to swing forward. Keep the fixture clear of curtains, wardrobe doors and any nearby shelf. Common mistake: centring the light on the wall and then fighting the arms to reach the page. Open and close nearby doors and curtains before drilling.
Aim the longer arm over the page: Extend the longer arm toward your reading position and tilt its disc down and slightly across the book. Use the side-to-side adjustment to move the pool of light onto the page rather than onto your hands. Common mistake: tilting the disc too far up, which sends light toward your eyes. Aim first, then tighten the adjustment so the arm holds its angle.
Use the shorter arm for background light: Swing the shorter arm back toward the wall or ceiling and angle its disc to wash the surrounding surface. This reduces the contrast between a bright page and a dark room, which is often what causes tired eyes. Common mistake: pointing both discs at the book and creating a harsh double highlight. Dim the room's other lights and judge the contrast from your seat.
Check for glare from every reading posture: Sit upright, lean back and lie down in turn, looking for the bright disc or a reflection on the page. If you see the light source directly, tilt the disc down a few degrees or move the arm slightly forward. Common mistake: checking only from a standing position, where the glare is less obvious. Repeat the check at night with the room's other lights off.
Space a pair evenly in a bedroom: If you are fitting two Radials either side of a bed, keep the brackets the same distance from the mattress edge and mirror the arm angles. Leave enough gap from the headboard so the longer arm can still swing forward. Common mistake: measuring from the wall corners in an uneven room, which makes the pair look lopsided. Measure from the bed, not the walls, so the pair reads as symmetrical.

Product facts

"Radial" Adjustable Double Arm Wall Light: The large brass discs adjust up to 35/40 degrees and from side to side, and the arms are deliberately asymmetric in length. You can aim the light down onto a page and sideways toward a chair without moving the wall bracket, which is what makes precise reading positioning possible.
"Radial" Adjustable Double Arm Wall Light