ADC Guide: Lamps

August 22, 2022

Lamps are so versatile and can fulfill many roles in a space, from the main task lighting, to simply decorative. They are one of the easier pieces of ‘decor’ to switch out to change up the feel of a room. They are a great source of ambient lighting but can be used purely for decorative purposes. 

If you are looking to make a simple switch to shake up your space, perhaps this is your sign that a new lamp is in your future. Keep reading as we’re sharing a discount code at one of our favourite online lighting stores.

We are including some of our top tips for purchasing the right lamp, as well as light placement, to make sure they fit seamlessly into your home. Download the guide at the end with these critical dimensions so you can save it to refer back to!

Floor Lamps 

In North America, lots of spaces are designed without ceiling lights, which gives lamps their time to shine (quite literally). In these cases, the lamp becomes the main source of lighting, so picking the right shape and shade to provide you with widespread ambient lighting is imperative.

Lamps with a wider round or tapered drum are a good way of getting good diffused lighting for a whole space; pick a lighter shade and taller lamp to allow the light to travel further. 

If you have pockets of space where you need task lighting, this kind of lighting will most likely be paired with a piece of furniture, like a chair, sofa, or even a side table. In these cases, you need to consider the amount of floor space you have available for both pieces, if space is limited, selecting something sleek, with a smaller footprint is the way to go.

For the task lighting to be effective, the lamp needs to be close to the furniture, but there should also be some ‘breathing space’ between the pieces. The distance should consider the type of task lighting required, and the height and direction of light emitted.

Here are some of our favourite floor lamps:

Statement Lamps

Now, if you want to make a statement with your lamp, going big on scale is one way to do it. An oversized lamp can really make an impact, just be careful of this though, in smaller rooms or apartments, this will just make the space look cramped.

Arc lamps are always dramatic no matter how simple the design. As a style they are versatile enough to use as an adjustable light source, the movable arm means they can be used as focused task lighting, or placed to provide focal overhead lighting.

Here are some of our favourite floor lamps to make a statement in any space:

Table Lamps

Perfect for a console or dresser, the table lamp is a great way to add decorative light to a space and help build lighting layers in a room. 

An important consideration for table lamps is the scale of the furniture compared to the lamp. If the lamp is too large, the combination will look top-heavy and throw off the balance of the room.

You should also take into account the placement of the furniture with the lamp, if it's close to another piece, you should leave that breathing space again to avoid creating a busy, overcrowded area.

Here are some of our favourite table lamps, perfect to add to your entryway, living room, or dining area.

Accent Lamps for your Bedside

It’s important to take into account the size of all furniture in proximity, which means the nightstand(s) as well as the bed frame and mattress height.

If you have a really tall, or decorative headboard, you probably want something more subtle for your bedside lamps so they aren't competing with each other and that works the other way too; if you have a simple bed frame and nightstands, then a statement lamp might be the perfect finishing touch. 

Dimension-wise, this isn't a one size fits all situation, you will need to consider all of the above elements, but usually, the bedside calls for something smaller than the lamps you display in your living area or entryway. When all things considered, you want something that sits around eye level when you are in bed, so it is actually fit for purpose.

Here are some of our favourite lamps for your nightstands:

Another option for your nightstand is eliminating the lamps altogether. If you are short on space or want a more modern approach, you can use wall sconces above your nightstands. Keep an eye out for our next lighting blog feature, for tips on hanging wall lights. 

Inspired to add new lighting to your home? Use the discount code ‘ARIANEDESIGNCO’ at checkout to get 10% off your order at Light House Co. This code is always valid, excluding sale items.

Happy Shopping!

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