via our Guest Room Makeover for the One Room Challenge

Choosing the right lighting for a room is SO important and table lamps play a big role in that! When I’m designing a room, I like to have a mix of different kinds to make there’s lots of optionality for different situations. Sometimes you may just want to touch of light while you’re reading on the sofa in the evening, or sometimes you just need to brighten up the whole room. Layering table lamps, floor lamps, and overhead lighting gives you all kinds of options. (Read more about why that matters in this post!)

Today I want to focus in on table lamps, which we all need, but don’t always know how to choose well! There are a few keys to success for picking out the right one, so I want to share three general tips that you can take with you as you shop for some for your own house. Then at the end, you’ll find a roundup of some of my current favorite table lamps that follow those general tips so you can easily find the one you need.

Let’s dive in…

via Serena & Lily*

Table Lamp Tip 1: Get the Height Right

Height is one of the first things I look at when I’m choosing a table lamp. When you’re shopping online, or even in person sometimes, it can be really hard to understand scale. Before you fall in love with a lamp that’s too big or too small, scroll on down and check out the dimensions.

One of the biggest mistakes I see with height is going too small. Taller is almost always better when it comes to table lamps. Unfortunately, for some reason, a lot of manufacturers have decided to make some really dinky table lamps for people to buy. Just because they’re out there though doesn’t make them a good choice!

Except in a few rare scenarios, I’d stick with lamps that are at least 21” tall. I find that my go-to height in many cases is 24” plus or minus a few inches depending on where it’s going to sit.

Here are a few examples of height ranges in common spots in your home. If you’re putting a lamp on…

An end table, choose one that has a bulb height that sits about eye level, which is usually around that 24” mark in total height. This
A console table, go taller - 27”-30” is a good range. This will help balance the height of the console.
A nightstand, 24-28” generally works well. Similar to the end table concept, look for one where the bulb is around eye level when you’re sitting in bed.
A taller piece of furniture like a highboy dresser or cabinet, look for one that’s 24” or slightly less so it doesn’t tower over the room.

via our Coastal Modern Traditional “Parlor”

Table Lamp Tip 2: Choose a Style That Complements the Space

Though it’s tricky to assign hard and fast rules to this tip since the definition of what complements the room varies a ton, I’ll offer a few ideas on how to think through it for your own space.

First, think about the overall style of the room. Is it modern? Coastal? Traditional? For example, if you have a simple, more minimalist space, choose table lamps that have that same look and feel.

Then, think about the piece it will sit on. Is it a light and airy nightstand? Make sure your lamp isn’t too “hefty.” Is it a chunky console? Choose a lamp with more visual weight to it. It’s all about balance!

Finally, think about the color. I find I generally gravitate toward neutral lamps that complement, but don’t steal the show in a room. Instead of color, I’ll often play with texture or shape to add dimension, and bring in color with other pieces or accessories.

via McGee & Co

Table Lamp Tip 3: Choose the Right Bulb Temperature

Did you know that light bulbs have different temperatures? You’ve probably experienced this even if you didn’t realize it! Bulb temperatures can make a big difference in how a room feels, so you want to choose wisely. Though everyone has a preference for how warm or how cool they like their lighting to be, I find that for table lamps, I like 2700K. It’s a nice “warm white” that has a cozy feel, but isn’t so warm that it starts to look orange.

To find the temperature of a bulb, take a look at the box or the description details if you’re shopping online. Most bulbs you find these days are LEDs, so you’ll find specs for temperature as measured in Kelvin (that’s the “K”), brightness, and expected bulb life. It’s a little different than the old incandescent system, but they’ll often provide equivalents for wattage and temperature so you can more easily match the bulb to your needs.

So those are my three tips! Now let’s take a look at some table lamps that I’ve been loving lately!

These are all “Mix & Match Design Company approved” so you can shop with confidence. No dinky lamps here! There are a variety of price points and styles here, so I hope they’ll point you in the right direction in your search.

To shop, simply scroll down - you’ll find links and a slider with images that you click on directly to head to the website.