The Bright World of Table Lamps: Understanding Your Options

The humble table lamp has been with us almost since the dawn of electric lighting. They're used as much for creating statements and tying into a home's overall aesthetic as they are for creating actual illumination. You have a wide range of choices available when it comes to table lamps, as well, and it pays to know a bit more about what those options are, how they might benefit your home, how to position table lamps, and more.   The Types of Table Lamp While "table lamp" might just be another subcategory of lamp lighting, such as floor lamps and desk lamps, there are actually several different sub-types of table lamp. They all share similar characteristics they're short bodied, and meant to be placed on tables, end tables, night stands, and the like; but they also differ significantly from one another. The first thing you need to do is ensure that you're using the right type of table lamp.   Ambient Table Lamps

 The most populous table lamp subcategory is that of "ambient" table lamps. These lamps run the gamut from tall to short, wide to narrow, and can be found in a very, very wide range of styles and designs. For instance, the Wagenfeld WG 28 Table Lamp would be most at home in a house with other touches of modern design, or even an Art Deco motif, while the 8006/LG Etvoila Table Lamp would look best in a home with vintage furnishings, classic decor, or even a touch of the Victorian era. Despite that, both are technically ambient table lamps, and even share a very roughly similar design and size. Task Lighting

 Lamps designed for task lighting are a bit different from their ambient table lamp cousins. These lamps might be designed to sit on a flat surface, but they are also designed to be flexible and adjustable, to help you achieve a goal or complete a task. Take the Laito Wood Table Lamp as an example; it's ideally curved to provide you with excellent light while reading. On the other hand, the Tolomeo Classic Table Lamp with Base offers multiple points of articulation to help with any task you might have, from reading to drafting to building scale models.   LED Table Lamps

 LED table lamps technically fall into both the ambient lighting and task lighting categories, but because of the unique technology embedded in these lamps, we'll address them as a separate category entirely. LED lights use light emitting diodes (LEDs) rather than traditional incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. This allows them to use far less electricity, last much, much longer than conventional bulbs, and be configured into very unique designs. For instance, the DNA Table Lamp from Next is definitely unique, and will brighten up almost any small room, while the Kelvin LED Green Mode II Table Lamp from Flos offers immense flexibility to handle tasks large or small.   Choosing the Right Table Lamp for You Now that we've explored the types of table lamps on offer, it's time to touch on what you'll need to know when choosing lamps for use in your own home.  

• Know Your Need: The first thing is to know your goals what is the reason you want to purchase a lamp in the first place? Do you want to add illumination to a formal sitting room? If so, you'll need a very different lamp than someone who wants better illumination at their drafting table. Let your own goals lead you forward here.

 

• Dimensions Matter: You will also need to know the dimensions of the space that you're working with, as these will affect the size of the lamp you can purchase and what works best within that space. For instance, if you have a very large space, then a 10-inch table lamp with a small glass shade will be dwarfed. Likewise, a 29-inch lamp will overflow in a small space. It's not just about the dimensions of the lamp's body, either. Pay attention to the size of the shade if your lamp is equipped with one.

 

• Decor Tie In: While there's a lot to be said for creating contrast within your home, tying into the decor with the right lamp style is more important. If your home has an overall modern design, adding a lamp with Victorian styling will clash. If your home has a Craftsman style, adding an Art Deco lamp will throw things off.

 

• Coordinate: Choose lamps that you can coordinate with other accessories, like throw pillows, area rugs, even curtains/drapes when possible. This will help you create the look and feel that you want within the room.

  Ultimately, choosing the right table lamps for your home should not be difficult. Keep the tips above in mind, and make sure to choose a lamp suited to your intended purpose and that ties in with your overall aesthetic. For even more inspiration, feel free to browse our entire collection of table lamps.