Home Lamps: Choosing Type, Location, and Style
Posted on 25 August 2009
Home lamps can be a great way to accessorize your home and provide lighting at the same time. The physical appearance of the lamp, the type of light the lamp casts, and where the light is cast, all contribute in creating the room’s ambiance. There are many different types of lamps for the home, such as: Table Lamps, Bedside Table Lamps, Buffet Table Lamps, Desk Lamps, Floor Lamps, and Accent Lamps. Regardless of the type, when choosing a lamp, keep in mind location, style, and type of lighting needed.
If the room has table surfaces that are sufficiently large, the table lamp may be the best choice. Of course, the table lamp should not block a view – so coffee tables are typically not the best surface choice. In areas where the horizontal surfaces are narrow such as a buffet table, then the smaller buffet table lamps are usually the best. A narrow and tall lamp such as a candlestick lamp, works well on a narrow surfaces.
Unless a bedroom is rather large or has a high ceiling, a smaller bedside table lamp may be better suited to the scale of the room. If table space is limited, a floor lamp may be most appropriate. Also floor lamps bring a vertical element to the room that can be quite pleasing. Desk Light Lamps come in numerous types and looks – from the more task-oriented swing-arm to a regular looking table lamp. If needing to optimize visual acuity, then a swing-arm of some sort is probably the better choice.
Accent Lamps can be really interesting – acting more as sculptural objects. But then again, they can be barely noticeable and function primarily to accent other features in a room. They types of lamps, can be placed in a variety of locations.
Be sure to consider the style of the room. It is not necessary to stick with the same style – unless you want to make a strong statement about that particular style. If updating a traditional room – a contemporary or modern lamp may be the right choice. But, be sure to relate the existing décor in some manner – through color, scale, and/or material. Typically, conical shaped shades provide a more traditional look, whereas a drum shade provides a more modern look.
Generally speaking, table lamps and floor lamps provide a combination of ambient lighting and task lighting. They are somewhat multipurpose and use either incandescent or compact fluorescent bulbs. Though incandescent is often considered to provide a better quality of light, some of the recent compact fluorescent bulbs have obtained high ratings in terms of light quality. Since LEDs typically provide uni-directional lighting – they do not work well for table lamps or spaces needing omni-direction lighting. LEDs, although still expensive at this time, do work well for some types of Accent Lamps.
Whether choosing table lamps lighting, desk light lamp, or other type of home lamp, the location, style, and lighting type play an important role in creating the entire ambiance of a room. If well-orchestrated, the overall quality of an entire room can be greatly enhanced with these concerns in mind.
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Jane Johanssen is a contributing editor to FineHomeLamps.com.
7 responses to Home Lamps: Choosing Type, Location, and Style
i have two antique stanley home table lamps and cannot find any information on them. from what i hear they are from the old stanley home parties and were given as hostess gifts. i have two, fairly large, and very retro. very unattractive to be honest.
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I also have a Stanley lamp that was my Mother-in-law’s. It is ceramic with rose decor and swan handles. I was also told that it was a Stanley Home Party hostess gift. Does anyone have any information?
I am so happy that I came across this post. I love lamps and how you can change the ambiance of a room by using a particular type of lamp. I’ve always wondered the best way to use a desk lamp. The ones I’ve used seem to be put off a lot of heat. Any suggestions?
I have a lamp in my family room and I absolutely love the base but it never looked right in the room. Now I know the problem. I need to change the shape of the shade.
Rita @ Bird Cages For Less´s last blog ..Cold Weather Backyard Birds – Helping Backyard Birds Through the Winter Months
Did anybody else have a mom who left the plastic wrap on the lampshade? (As well as a plastic cover on the couch?)
Too funny — but not very complementary for the room’s look!
One thing I regret (daily) is not having an electrical outlet installed next to ‘my chair’ in our new home. I need a reading light but I don’t like cords running under carpets or rugs.
Oh well… next time.
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I think one of the easiest and most fun ways to change the look of a room is to change the lamp(s). There are so many to choose from that you can’t go wrong. And you say, “It is not necessary to stick with the same style.” I’m happy to read that, because I don’t always stick with the same style, so I guess I’m doing okay. Thanks for the reassurance.
I love lamps because even old ones can easily be transformed into something that looks modern and chic. With a new shade and a clean up of the base any lamp can be given a new lease of life which not only saves money but with correct placement adds some atmosphere style to the home.