A table lamp casts soft light over a bedside table, sideboard or desk. Choose it by height, shade and colour temperature to suit each piece of furniture.
Choosing the right lamp size
The height depends on the furniture and on how you use the lamp:
- Bedside: when you sit up in bed, the bottom of the shade should be level with your chin. Dedicated models are grouped among our bedside lamps.
- Desk: an adjustable head, placed on the opposite side to your writing hand, avoids shadows on the page; see our desk lamps.
- Console, sideboard or side table: lamps of 60 to 80 cm dress a low piece of furniture and light a corner of the living room.
- Shelf or windowsill: models under 40 cm create discreet pools of light.
Table lamps: materials and styles
Metal, in gold brass, chrome, black or bronze, sits alongside ceramic, glass, fabric and acrylic; wood, crystal and natural fibres complete the selection. Modern lamps are the most numerous, followed by classic, vintage and retro, industrial, Art Deco, rustic and Scandinavian designs.
For contemporary lines, browse our designer table lamps; for a turned base and a traditional shade, our classic table lamps. Tiffany lamps, in the Art Nouveau style, have a selection of their own: our Tiffany lamps.
Layering your lighting with several lamps
A single lamp won't light a room: it complements the ceiling light or takes over in the evening. A living room needs 100 to 150 lumens per m²: spread two or three lamps at different heights, on a console, a side table and a shelf, to avoid dark corners. Most take an LED bulb with an E27 or E14 cap and have an in-line switch. Our guide to accent lamps offers more placement ideas.
Frequently asked questions about table lamps
How do I choose a shade for a table lamp?
It all depends on the light you want. A pale fabric shade spreads a soft light all around the lamp; an opaque or metal shade directs the light downwards, which helps with reading. Finally, check that the bulb doesn't show below the rim once the lamp is in place, to avoid glare.
What bulb should I use in a table lamp?
First check the cap stated on the product page, most often E27 or E14. Then choose a warm white LED at 2,700 K for the living room and bedroom, or neutral white at 4,000 K for a desk. A CRI of at least 80 renders the colours in the room accurately.
What is a Tiffany lamp?
It is an Art Nouveau lamp, which emerged in the late 19th century around Louis Comfort Tiffany. Its shade is made from pieces of coloured glass joined with copper foil and then soldered with tin. When lit, it gives off a warm, coloured light: you choose it for atmosphere rather than for reading.
Can a table lamp be dimmable?
Yes: some models have a built-in dimmer, on the cable or on the base. For the others, a dimmer only works with an LED bulb marked dimmable and compatible with it. If the lamp, bulb and dimmer are not compatible, the light may flicker or buzz.
