Living room table lamps add light where the ceiling light can't reach. Choose the size for a sofa end, console or shelf, then the shade and bulb.
What size of lamp for each location?
- 20 to 40 cm: on a shelf or a low sideboard, as a decorative accent.
- 40 to 60 cm: the most common size, suited to the end of a sofa or a side table.
- 60 to 80 cm and more: a large living room lamp on a console table or sideboard, which lights the wall and adds depth.
A table lamp lights a limited area. For a 25 m² living room, which needs 100 to 150 lumens/m², spread two or three low-level lights at different heights in addition to the ceiling light.
Shade, glass or ceramic: the lighting effect
A fabric shade gives a soft light and hides the bulb; glass gives a brighter glow, coloured or clear. A ceramic or metal base weighs the lamp down, reassuring near a walkway. Wood and natural fibres warm up a Scandinavian or country-style living room.
In terms of style, modern and classic lamps sit alongside geometric Art Deco, industrial or vintage pieces. The Tiffany lamp, in Art Nouveau style, assembles pieces of coloured glass joined with copper foil and soldered with tin: discover our Tiffany lamps.
Bulb and switch for a table lamp
In the living room, an LED bulb at 2,700 K gives the expected warm white. Many lamps have an in-line cable switch, so there's no fumbling under the shade; others are dimmable with a dimmable bulb. Check whether the bulb is included: most designs come without one.
For light from higher up, pair it with a living room floor lamp. All other shapes are in our lamps and in our living room lighting section.
Frequently asked questions about living room table lamps
How many table lamps does a living room need?
In an average living room, two or three lamps are enough: one by the sofa for reading, one on a console table or sideboard to light the wall, and perhaps a third in a dark corner. Placed at varying heights, they avoid the effect of a room lit only from the ceiling.
How do I coordinate several lamps in the same living room?
Keep a common thread: the same colour temperature, ideally 2,700 K, and finishes that echo each other, such as gold-tone brass or matt black. The shapes can vary. A ceramic lamp and a glass one sit very well together if their shades are a similar colour.
Which lampshade gives a soft light?
A pale fabric shade, drum or cone-shaped, spreads light up and down while hiding the bulb. The thicker the fabric, the softer the light. The tips in our guide to lamps for accent lighting help you put it all together.
