Short answer: Put the panel somewhere you'll pass every day, at a height that puts the middle of the panel level with the area you're treating, and at a distance you can repeat consistently — usually 15–30cm. A stand solves most placement problems, and only IP-rated panels belong in a bathroom or sauna.
The most underrated factor: will you actually use it?
The best-specified panel in the world does nothing in a cupboard. Before worrying about angles and heights, pick a room you're in every day — bedroom, home gym, bathroom, home office. Red light sessions are short, and short habits survive when they're frictionless. If setting up takes five minutes, you'll skip it.
How much space you actually need
It depends on the panel size and how you'll use it:
- Compact panels — a desk, shelf or small stand is enough. Great for a home office or bedside.
- Half-body panels — need a stand or wall mount, and roughly a metre of clear floor in front.
- Full-body panels — need standing room and a stable stand. Think of the footprint of a floor mirror plus space to stand back.
The one measurement people forget is the space in front. You need to be able to sit or stand at your working distance without backing into furniture.
Getting the height right
Aim to have the centre of the panel roughly level with the middle of the area you're treating. Light output is strongest on-axis at the centre of a panel and falls away toward the edges, so a panel pointed at your knees while you're treating your shoulders is doing less than you think.
This is what stands are actually for. A floor stand lets you set the height precisely; a pneumatic or motorised stand lets you change it between sessions without fuss — worth it if more than one person uses the panel, or if you alternate between seated and standing sessions.
Distance: pick one and keep it
Most home routines sit in the 15–30cm range. What matters more than the exact figure is that it's repeatable — because intensity falls off quickly with distance, an inconsistent distance means an inconsistent dose, and you'll never know what's working.
A simple trick: put a small mark on the floor, or position a chair at a fixed spot. Removing that one decision makes the habit stick.
Lighting, mirrors and reflections
You don't need a blackout room. A couple of practical points:
- Panels are bright. Use the eye protection supplied or simply don't look into the LEDs.
- A light-coloured wall behind you does no harm and can make the room feel less stark.
- If the panel faces a window at night, expect it to be visible from outside — worth a thought in a ground-floor room.
Bathrooms, saunas and humid rooms
This one matters for safety, not convenience. A standard red light panel is not designed for humid environments. Steam and splashing are a genuine hazard with mains-powered electronics.
If you want light therapy in a bathroom or sauna, use a panel that is specifically IP-rated for it. The RLF SPA is IP65-rated and built for exactly this — humid, high-temperature rooms where a normal panel has no business being. Don't improvise with a standard panel in a wet room.
A quick placement checklist
- Room you're in daily.
- Clear space in front at your working distance.
- Panel centre level with the treatment area.
- A repeatable distance — mark it.
- A stand if the panel is half- or full-body.
- IP-rated panel only, if the room is humid.
Frequently asked questions
Can I mount a red light panel on the wall?
Many panels can be wall-mounted, which saves floor space. Check the fixings supplied and make sure the wall can take the weight — full-body panels are heavy.
How far should I sit from the panel?
Typically 15–30cm for home use. Closer increases intensity and shortens sessions. Whatever you choose, keep it consistent so your dose is consistent.
Can I put a red light panel in my bathroom?
Only if it is specifically rated for humid environments. A standard panel is not designed for bathrooms or saunas; use an IP-rated model such as the RLF SPA instead.
Do I need a stand?
For compact panels, no — a desk or shelf works. For half- and full-body panels a stand is close to essential, both for stability and for setting the right height.
This article is general information about setting up light therapy devices and is not medical advice. Always follow the installation and safety instructions supplied with your device.