The Art of Lampscaping – How to Choose the Perfect Table Lamp

Table lamps are the perfect opportunity to infuse your home or Airbnb with splashes of color, add touches of height for pizzazz, and most importantly create side lighting for mental harmony.

Before we go any further, we need to EMPHASIZE the last point – side lighting. The reason it’s critical in any room is because overhead lighting is HARD on the soul. First of all, it’s unflattering, and secondly, it is unsettling on the nerves. If you have overhead lighting, whether it’s from a gorgeous chandelier or recessed ceiling lights (boy do contractors love those unfortunately), you absolutely have to offset the disharmony with side lighting, such as sconces, floor lamps, or table lamps, today’s topic.

Here are our 5 tips for finding and placing table lamps in your home or short-term rental…..

1. Determining the scale of your table lamp in a room

The key to achieving the correct lamp size in relation to its location is determining where the top of the light is in relation to where people are experiencing it. Err on the side of the lamp being taller by 50% of where one’s head is, when sitting. For example, when sitting in bed or on a sofa, a sitter’s eyes should be either at the mid-section of the lamp or 2/3’s of the way up. When standing, the rule of thumb for table lamps on consoles, buffets, or dressers is for the top of the lamp to be ideally above or not too much below a standing person’s eyes.  However, assume the average human height instead of that of a basketball player’s (lol). We understand that often this is not possible with a lower console table, but at least aim for the tallest table lamps you can find.

2. Table lamps are a nice opportunity to add pops of color to a room

You have probably figured out by now that our design duo is wild about vibrant pops of color. Color enlivens a space and invites good vibes into a room. So if you are looking to add pizzazz to your residential or vacation home, table lamps are your secret weapon! We love to amplify the boldness of the lamp base with a contrasting lampshade to create a whimsical and unexpected visual contrast.

3. One-of-a-kind table lamps are an opportunity to stand out and invite curiosity

Antique urns, printing wheels, foo dogs, you name it, can all be turned into table lamps. We either find interesting objects and have our makers convert them into table lamps or buy them from makers, vintage shops or auction sites. Guests and friends alike love to marvel over them and ask questions about their origin – nice conversation starters.

4. Harmonious Pairings

When seeking balance and harmony in a room, a pair of table lamps, either identical or at least matching each other in scale, color, or style will infuse a sense of symmetry.

5. Final critical touches: accessories and lamp accents

Don’t forget final touches to finish off your table lamp-scape; otherwise your table lamp can look forlorn, as if you’ve left it out in the cold. Table lamps need smaller objects around them to make them stand out. A vase of flowers, books, a whisky decanter paired with vintage glasses, small art pieces or sculptures, you name it, are effective pairings. Something fun to consider is adding a colored finial that shouts “look at me” from the top of the lamp.

Now let’s shop the story…..

Some of the above links are associated with affiliate income