If you need extra lighting in your living room, bedroom, office, or family den, you could probably use a table lamp or two.
If you’re wondering how to choose the table lamps that will be best for your home, here’s a straightforward step-by-step guide to help in your selection:
1. Determine the Location
First, you need to figure out just where your table lamps will go.
Presumably, you already have a table or desk in mind, but before you go about choosing a lamp to put on it, make sure it is indeed the table or desk you want to be using and that it is in the right spot. Many homeowners like to ensure there is an electrical outlet close by – this way you won’t have to worry about running long extension cords in order to plug in your new table lamps. Now is the time to get your furniture in order.
2. Figure Out the Right Shade Height
Once you’ve decided where your new table lamps will go, next you need to figure out how high the lamp shades ought to be.
Sit next to where you will put the lamp and measure from the surface of the table/desk to your eye level, this will be your base measurement. To figure out the average height of your shade, divide the base measurement by 3.
So, if the distance from the surface to your eye level is 15 inches, when you divide by 3, you get 5 inches. Now you will want to look for table lamps with an average shade height of 5 inches.
3. Choose Your Lamp Size
A standard lamp height is 18 inches plus the height of your shade. So, if your average shade height is 5 inches, you’ll be looking for a lamp that is approximately 23 inches high. Of course, there are also many other options available. Depending on the purpose of your light, you may want a lamp that is larger or smaller.
For example, if you will be using your new table lamps primarily for decorative purposes or to add just a soft glow to a room after dark, you may want to choose a smaller size. Table lamps with colorful Tiffany-style shades often make a beautiful choice.
If you need your table lamps to bring significant illumination to your room, you may want a larger size. Or, you may want to choose a modern style fixture with no shade for more direct, bright light.
4. Pick Your Bulb Type
The type of bulbs you choose for your new table lamps again will depend on your purpose.
Decorative lamps do not require high wattage. If you’ll be using your lamp for reading or other precision visual tasks, we recommend a bulb that is 60 watts or more. If you want extra flexibility, choose a dimmable bulb so that it can be bright when you need it to be and dimmer when you’re ready to relax.
If you’re looking for an energy saving option, consider an LED bulb. Although the upfront costs will generally be higher, LED bulbs are meant to last and often make the best long-term investment for your lighting needs.
5. Consider Your Style Preferences
At last, it’s time to consider what style you prefer for your new table lamps.
Table lamps today are designed to complement a variety of interior décor styles, from modern to classic, from urban to rustic. Be sure to browse through many options both in stores and online to find the lamp design you love best.
You can check out Going Décor’s collection of table lamps here!
