New table lamps are a great way to add some style and function to a room. Light from a lamp can really create a mood whether you want to watch a movie, listen to music, or just hang out with the family and the end of the day. Just because your current lamps turn on does not mean that you have to keep them.
Before we get to the lamp eye (and leg) candy, a few thoughts on lamps by room, size, and shades.
Entry and Dining Room: Adding a light to a console table by the entry helps provide some architectural interest and also makes your area rug, mirrors, and decorative accents shine, literally. I like tall and dramatic accent lights in these spaces. The dark entryway below from CB2 is perfection!
Living Room: Lamps provide a friendly warm glow in the evening and also can add some additional task lighting for reading. Don’t be afraid to mix it up with a table lamp on one side table and a floor lamp on the far end of the room so it is not so matchy/matchy.
Bedroom: Every nightstand needs a good lamp to support nighttime reading and this is one place I would stick with a matching set. Make sure the shade extends far enough that the bulb is not glaring into your eyes when you lie down.
Height
The shade on a lamp should fall at approximately eye level of someone sitting on a bed, couch, or chair. Below are some recommendations for various lamp sizes:
- Mini (under 12”) – I generally avoid these except as accents on small shelves.
- Small (12-24”) – I generally avoid these unless you have a very tall table or are looking more for a desk lamp.
- Medium (24-28”) – Work for most spaces like smaller nightstands and side tables.
- Tall (28-32”) – If you want to add a bit of drama to a console table or larger master bedroom nightstands.
- Extra Tall (32”+) – I only recommend this size for an entry console or dining buffet where you really want to make a statement.
Shade
The lampshade has a huge impact on the overall look. The most common shapes are shown below but I recommend staying away from the empire or the bell shape which feel very dated and stuffy. My favorite, as you will see from the selection below, is the drum which looks good with almost any type of lamp and does a good job of allowing light to flow up and down. If you are going to change out your change, look at the type of fitter so you can get the right kind. Wayfair does a great job of allowing you to filter on shades by fitter type.
Without further ado, here are 35 table lamps and one leg that are ready to light up your life. Just joking on the leg light, if you have seen the movie A Christmas Story then you understand, and if you haven’t seen it, you must go watch it immediately with your lamp on!
Lamps <$100*
Lamps <$200
* Pricing is based on cost per lamp but some lamps only sold in sets of 2.
Which is your favorite? I have 4 of them already and am drooling after the last one!
I’m drooling over the last one too ( the one with the round/ wooden base & the 2 metal “legs”? How much is that one?!?!?
You have good and expensive taste! All the images are clickable – I probably need to point that out. They are arranged from lowest to highest price so that one is the highest at $189 from West Elm which isn’t terrible. I believe that design should be affordable so you will not find any $500 lamps on my recommendation list but that is at the high end of my favorites and sometimes you just need to splurge a little. 😉 Also, thanks for reading my blog – glad to know someone made it to the end of this post!