How To Choose A Table Lamp

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Are you stymied when it comes to choosing a table lamp for your home? I’m here to help you with that.

There are a few considerations to keep in mind when buying a table lamp.

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By combining overhead lights, floor lamps, table lamps, and sconces, you create layered ambient, task, and accent lighting that adds depth and eliminates harsh shadows.

First, determine how much light you will need in that space. Keep in mind what purpose it will serve.

When choosing a table lamp, consider the color of the lamp base and shade.

Types Of Lighting:

Natural lighting: Light that occurs naturally during daylight hours.

Ambient lighting: Also called general lighting. This type of lighting provides the overall illumination for a room.

Task Lighting: Lighting for a task. Such as paperwork, a hobby, or putting a puzzle together.

Accent Lighting: Also called highlighting, accent lighting emphasizes objects by directing light directly onto them.

Decorative Lighting: Decorative lighting is more of a style that fits your personality and provides light for aesthetic purposes.

It is lighting that sets the mood and ambiance, after all. A change in lighting can turn a blah and boring room into something cozy and stylish.

What is Considered Ambient Lighting?

Ambient light is the natural or general background illumination already existing in a space before you add any supplemental lighting. It provides overall, uniform brightness, allowing you to navigate an environment safely and comfortably.

In home decor, ambient light (or general lighting) is the foundational layer of light in a room. It establishes the overall atmosphere and is usually controlled before adding task or accent lighting.

Examples of ambient lighting are natural sunlight streaming through windows, ceiling-mounted fixtures, chandeliers, and recessed pot lights. It bathes the entire room in a comfortable, diffused glow to prevent harsh shadows and dark corners

What is the 5’7 Lighting Rule?

The 5-7 lighting rule is a decorating guideline that suggests using at least 5 to 7 light sources in a room to create a warm, layered, and inviting atmosphere.

Instead of relying on one overhead ceiling light, you might combine:

• Table lamps
• Floor lamps
• Wall sconces
• Pendant lights
• Under-cabinet lighting
• Candles
• String lights
• Natural light from windows

The idea in how to go about choosing a table lamp is to spread light throughout the room at different heights. This helps eliminate harsh shadows and creates a cozy, welcoming feeling—especially in living rooms, bedrooms, and other spaces where ambiance matters.

For a cozy home, you don’t necessarily need to count exactly five or seven lights. Think of it as a reminder that layered lighting makes a room feel much warmer than a single bright overhead fixture.

How To Choose A Lamp Size:

Pay close attention to the diameters of both the base and the lampshade.

You do not want your table lamp to overwhelm the space where you plan to place it. But you also don’t want to buy a lamp that will look too small for the space.

There are four things to keep in mind when choosing a table lamp:

• Shade height
• Lamp size
• Shade style
• Bulb type

The Correct Way To Determine Shade Height:

First, determine the perfect height range for your lamp. You might sit in the space next to where you are going to place the lamp to get an idea.

Measure from the surface you are placing the lamp on to eye level. This is your base measurement.

To find the average height of the shade, divide the base measurement by three.

For example, let’s use 18″. Divide this number by three, which is 6″. This is the average height of the shade.

Why Choosing The Right Lamp Is Important:

When choosing a table lamp, I consider the other decorative elements in a room. Then I’ll determine the style and size of the lamp I want.

Full disclosure: I am not an interior designer. Instead, I am more of a decorating hobbyist. I’ve decorated many homes over the years and chosen many lamps.

This means that I’m interested in decorating. But I make my choices more by instinct and by being aware of my current style choices.

Keep in mind that choosing a lamp is an important part of designing a room that you will love.

The Purpose Of The Lamp:

When choosing a table lamp for reading, choose a light bulb rated at 60 watts or higher. And if you’d like to use an energy-saving LED bulb, look at its lumens output and comparable rating.

For extra flexibility, choose a dimmable bulb. If you are going with LEDs, make sure that the bulb is dimmable, as some designs are not.

A Good Rule of Thumb for Choosing a Lamp:

A good rule of thumb for choosing a lamp is to consider both the size of the room and the furniture it will sit on. A lamp should feel proportionate—not too small to provide enough light or so large that it overwhelms the space.

Simple lamp-sizing guidelines

• Table lamp: The lamp should generally be about ½ to ⅔ the height of the table or furniture it sits on.
• Lamp beside a sofa or chair: The bottom of the lampshade should be around eye level when you are seated, so the bulb isn’t shining directly into your eyes.
• Nightstand lamp: The lamp should be tall enough to provide comfortable reading light, but not so tall that it dominates the bedside table.
• Floor lamp: Choose one that provides light at a useful height for the area, usually with the shade positioned above eye level when seated.

For a cozy home, perhaps the best rule is to choose a lamp that fits the scale of the furniture, provides the light you need, and adds something beautiful to the room. A lamp can be both a source of illumination and a decorative accessory.