Table Lamps

Table lamps ideally serve two purposes: they bring light to your home where you need it, and they complement your décor, bringing a sense of satisfaction to your eye, polishing the look of your rooms. There are several ways to make sure that the lamps you’re thinking about purchasing are up to your standards. The first step is to consider where you need to place a table lamp. The base of the lamp and the lampshade both need to be appropriately sized for the table on which the lamp will rest. On a smaller table, for example the smallest of a set of nesting tables, or a narrow console table, a petite candlestick lamp design may be the wisest choice. A roomier table, such as a coffee table or a buffet table, can handle a more substantial lamp, even a piece like a ginger jar lamp.

Consider the lamp's style. While some people are able to assemble and pull off eclectic, idiosyncratic home décor with aplomb, most people feel strongly that some pieces go together and some really don’t. In most homes, a high-tech swing-arm lamp will look out of place on a carved Victorian table, for example. A faceted crystal-and-shiny-brass table lamp may look jarring on a Shaker or Mission night stand. It may be that you actually like and enjoy the contrast, but many people prefer a more coordinated look. Then, examine the shade to see whether it suits your needs. A white or off-white fabric shade usually provides a translucent quality and high light output. A darker or opaque shade will limit the light output, and can make an extra statement in terms of style – often desirable in a hallway or foyer, for example.

Table lamps should be strategically placed in a room to allow for comfortable work at close tasks, like sewing, or for reading; doing tasks like these without sufficient light can quickly lead to eyestrain. Track lights, installed on walls or on ceilings, are often used to accent art and architectural features like moldings or ceiling medallions. In home offices, lighting should focus on functionality. Avoiding eyestrain is extremely important in the home office environment. Table lamps should be able to handle at least 100 watts of incandescent light or 40 watts of fluorescent task lighting. These levels are necessary for comfortable reading, writing, and computer work. In any room, table lamps are often supplemented with uplights and wall washers that draw attention to particular features of a room, for example, spotlighting plants or bookshelves. Arrange table lamps at the correct height. When you're seated near a table lamp, you should find that the bottom of the table lamp's shade will be at eye level, 38 to 42 inches (97 to 107 cm) above the floor.