When choosing the correct size for a table lamp, one must ensures that the size of the lamp will allow the lamp to perform it’s primary function within a room. A table lamp will serve as a source of light for the area in which it is placed. However, it also serves as one of the visual element of the furnitures in that area.
If the lamp is too large for the surface on which it will be placed, it will appear out of scale and too dominant within the piece of furniture. Conversely, if the lamp is too small for the furniture on which it will be placed, there may not be enough light to perform the lamps main function of providing illumination to the area. Therefore, one should consider the height and width of the lamp before purchase.
How to Choose the Right Table Lamp
The placement of the lamp will dictate the height of the lamp. If you are to place the table lamp upon a nightstand, the bottom of the shade should be at or slightly below the viewers eye level. If the bottom of the shade is too high, there will be glare upon the viewer’s retina.
If the bottom of the shade is too low, the viewer will have to crane there neck in order to focus upon the area of interest. If you place the lamp upon a desk, the height of the lamp should be such that the shade is above the viewers line of sight. Finally, if the lamp is to be placed upon a console table, the lamp should be tall enough to be visible from a distance, but it should not touch the ceiling.
A ratio for the height of the lamp and the width of the table base can ensure that the table lamp looks balanced. A common rule for selecting the appropriate size for the lamp is that the bottom of the shade should be twice the height of the base of the lamp. For instance, if the base is eight inches in height, the shade should be sixteen inches in height.
Using such a ratio will allow the lamp to look balanced and even prevent it from appearing too small or too large for the table base. Another consideration for the table lamp is the shape of the shade. A shade that is in the shape of a drum will provide even light to the area beneath the shade.
Drum shades are common in moddern homes. A shade in the shape of a bell or an empire shade will create a curved shape in the area. Such a shade will soften the visual aspect of the room.
A shade in the shape of a cone will emit directional light. Such a shade may have a straight taper on the shade. The material of the shade will add another layer of visual effect to the room.
For instance, ceramic shades will add another layer of depth to the room, while metals will create another visual aspect of the room. The third consideration for the lamp is the light bulb that is used within the lamp. The brightness and the lumens of the light will dictate the use of the lamp.
If the table lamp will be used to reading, the light bulb should provide enough lumens to read fine print. If the lamp will be used for creating mood lighting in the area, the lamp will have fewer lumens. If the lamp will be used for desk tasks, the brightness of the bulb should be bright.
One should of used LED bulbs for table lamps because they use less power and they create less heat than other types of bulbs. Many people often make a mistake when purchasing a table lamp. For instance, they may purchase the lamp based off how it looks in the store rather than how it will look in there home.
Additionally, they may not consider how the lamp should relate in scale to the human body within the room. Therefore, before purchasing a table lamp, people should test the lamp to ensure that it is comfortabley to view from the area in which it will be placed. If the table lamps will be placed upon two nightstand, the lamps should be symmetrical in their height.
Additionally, using a dimmer switch will allow the person to control the use of their lamp from task lighting to mood lighting.
