Rules for Table Lamps

Imagine your home without table lamps. A gathering of friends would feel stark and impersonal rather than warm and convivial . There would be no place to curl up and read the latest best seller. Table lamps are part of what gives the home personality. Yet the average person knows very little about selecting and decorating with table lamps. These six key points should help. Does this Spark an idea?

Function

Table lamps are the most versatile types of household illumination. They can be easily moved from one location to another and are commonly used as accent, general and task lighting in the home. (Accent lighting is secondary light that provides points of visual interest in a room. General lighting supplies a comfortable level of illumination throughout a room. Task lighting is light focused on a particular activity.)

Style

Table lamps are functional, but also serve as decorative accessories in a room. Choice of lamp styles is strictly a matter of personal taste. It is not necessary match the style of table lamp to your room's particular decor, but do make an effort to coordinate the look. An early American lamp is obviously a poor choice for an ultra-modern room.

Proportion and Height

Scale is one of the main elements to consider when choosing the right table lamp. Your overall lamp size should be in proportion to the room's furnishings. The proper height for a table lamp is based on the height of your seating and table. The lower rim of the lampshade should be between shoulder and eye level of the person seated next to the table lamp.

Lamp Shade Tips

Lampshades for table lamps should never exceed the diameter of the table surface. It is wise to bring your lamp to the store to select the proper size in relation to the lamp base. If you are unsure of which shape shade to buy, simply mirror the shape of the shade to that of the lamp base.

Number of Lamps

There is no set rule regarding the acceptable number of table lamps per room. It is recommended to use multiple table lamps in larger rooms to maintain even ambient light distribution. You should also place a table lamp on each table next to chairs, sofas and beds unless you are relying on another direct light source such as a floor lamp, wall lamp, track or recessed lights.

Hiding Lamp Cords

For those of us who enjoy table lamps, one big dilemma is how to conceal the lamp cords. For homes with open floor plans, this can be a particularly tricky issue. Martha Stewart recommends hiring an electrician to install floor outlets. Cords can also be run along baseboards in molded plastic channels and hidden under rugs in non-traffic areas. Another suggestion is to use decorative fabric covers to "dress up" unsightly bare cords.