A couple of weeks ago, a friend mentioned she has a really hard time choosing table lamps. How do you know what size works? What style to buy? Those are all great questions, and I’m guessing she’s not alone in wondering about this topic, so I figured I’d put together a little guide to offer some pointers!
There are some good general rules of thumb that apply to just about every table lamp, which is a great place to start when you’re on the hunt:
The height is determined by both the function and the table/surface height. You usually want to choose a table or surface first and then determine the height of the lamp. My go-to range is about 24-28” depending on the placement.
If you’ll be sitting next to the lamp, the bottom of the shade should be at about eye level. This ensures that the bulb won’t be shining in your eyes, but that it’s at a good height for reading and providing ambient light!
When thinking about overall scale, the lamp should be proportionate to the surface it’s sitting on. Typically, a larger surface = larger lamp. There’s a limit to this logic, but when in doubt, opt for a larger lamp. Pay attention to the diameter of both the base and the shade - you don’t want it to overwhelm its space or hang too far over the edge of a table, but you also don’t want it to look dinky. A lamp shade should be about 33-40% of the overall height and as much as 2x the width of the base.
Finding the right style is a bit of an art form and it can take some trial and error - think through the overall style of your room and go from there. What kind of statement do you want it to make? Do you want it be a focal point or play a supporting role?
Now there are always exceptions to every “design rule,” but you can’t go wrong with these guidelines - they’ll point you in the right direction every time!
There are SO many options out there in a whole range of price points. You can spend $100 (or less!) on a table lamp or hundreds of dollars, so how do you know what you’re getting? It’s not always easy to tell what the quality when you’re looking online.
I think proportions are a huge factor in whether a lamp looks good or cheap. You can find fantastic lamps at budget-friendly prices IF the proportions are right, but you often have to sift through a lot of bad lamps in lower price ranges. As with many things in the interior design world, price often correlates to better design. I don’t think you have to spend a fortune for pretty lamp though!
A good shade goes a long way as well. I think a lot of lamps end up looking cheap because of the shades. Finding one that complements the shape of the base and is the right size is key. If you find a lamp base you love, but the shade feels “off,” just replace it!
Regardless of your lamp budget, a good lamp is one that looks proportional, works well stylistically with your room, and offers the right amount of light.
When you’re searching for table lamps, be as specific as you can with your search terms. Include color, material, and even height to narrow your search. There are SO many out there, I know! If you’re not sure, do a little inspiration-hunting on Pinterest and see what you like that goes with your style. Then describe those lamps’ characteristics for a more targeted search.
Budget-friendly:
Target (beware of the dinky lamp problem though - always look at the size!)
Mid-range:
High-end:
