How to Choose the Right Table Lamp for Your Room

A table lamp does more than light a corner. It sets the mood of a room, so it is worth choosing with a little care. Here is a simple way to decide.

Start with the job it needs to do

A lamp beside a sofa or armchair is usually there for reading and soft background light. A bedside lamp should be easy to reach and gentle on the eyes. A lamp on a console in the hall is mostly about welcome and atmosphere. Knowing the job helps you choose the size and the brightness.

Get the height right

As a rule of thumb, the bottom of the shade should sit around eye level when you are seated, so the bulb is not glaring into your face. On a bedside table, choose a lamp that is not so tall that it crowds the wall or the headboard.

Match the scale to the furniture

A small lamp on a large sideboard can look lost, while a very large lamp on a narrow table feels top heavy. Aim for a lamp that takes up roughly one third of the surface at most, and leave room for a book, a cup or a plant.

Think about the shade

Fabric shades give a soft, diffused glow. Opaque shades direct light up and down and create more drama. Lighter colours spread more light, darker colours feel cosier and more intimate.

Check the practical details

Look at the cable length, the position of the switch and the bulb type the lamp takes. A lamp that is easy to live with day to day is the one you will keep.

Browse our table lamps to find a style that suits your room.