Task lamps

Décor guide: task lighting

There are times when certain activities call for extra light: a lamp dedicated to reading a book, whether you are in the living room or the bedroom, or a lamp to light the room while you watch television. These are all forms of lighting that make those everyday moments we all know easier and more enjoyable.

For reading

Task lights are mainly used for reading or working. In the study, for example, when you are going through your accounts and adding up your bills, a central light on its own can tire your eyes: because it spreads light generally, it makes the reader work harder. That is why a table lamp is so useful, letting you direct the light towards whatever you are focusing on. Ideal for reading, table lamps and adjustable spotlights (perfect for reading in bed) make wonderful reading companions. Likewise, a reading floor lamp placed at the end of your sofa will let you read the paper at any time of the evening without straining your eyes. A soft light is best, both to make your reading time more relaxing and to avoid the unpleasant glare that overly strong light can reflect off glossy paper.

In front of a screen

Computer and television screens present a particular lighting challenge, since they are light sources themselves. That makes extra lighting genuinely necessary, as the contrast between the bright screen and a dark room can be really uncomfortable and quite tiring for the eyes. A low-intensity table lamp placed next to the screen will solve this problem perfectly…