Lamp Buying Guide

Lamps can provide ambient lighting, task lighting or accent lighting, depending on the type of lamp. Look for lamps with more than one bulb for extra light output. Use lamps in the bedroom, dining room, foyer, kitchen or living room. For more information on lighting your home, check out Lighting Trends to Follow Now.

Floor lamps provide both ambient and accent lighting. A torchiere lamp projects light upward to mimic overhead lighting. A floor lamp with a standard lamp shade generally provides accent lighting. Floor lamps also work well in apartments where space is limited.

A desk lamp’s main job is to provide task lighting. Look for a lamp with a downward-facing shade and an adjustable neck to direct light where you need it.

Table lamps primarily deliver accent light, but they can also function as reading lamps in a living room or bedroom.

Wall-mounted lamps are great if you like the look of wall sconces but don’t want to deal with hard wiring them. You get the same space-saving design with the option to relocate the lamps at any time. Many come in swing-arm designs, allowing you to extend the fixture or move it closer to where you need light.

Lamp Shades: Changing a lamp shade is an easy way to spice up your existing décor. A patterned lamp shade can update a tired lamp and add vibrancy to the room. If you need more light output, a translucent lamp shade in a soft color will allow ample light through. For glass lamp shades, a Tiffany-style shade is a classic option.

Lamp Bases: These come in a multitude of metal and wood finishes. Bases are also available in glass or ceramic. Choose a clear-seeded glass base, a cobalt blue ceramic base or a satin-nickel metal base — the possibilities are endless.

Lamp Finishes: Take a cue from the existing finishes in your home when choosing your lamps. If your door handles and cabinet hardware are all in brushed nickel, choose light fixtures in a complementary finish. Popular lamp finishes include:

• Antique bronze
• Oil-rubbed bronze
• Brushed nickel
• Satin nickel

If you find a lamp you like and need other light fixtures, check to see if it’s part of a set. Lighting collections offer fixtures in the same style and finish for many areas of the home. For more information on lighting options, check out How to Choose the Right Lights.

Don’t forget light bulbs. Color temperature, lumens and wattage all play a part in your room’s quality of light. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and compact fluorescents (CFLs) help lower energy costs. Both have a lower wattage but provide the same light output as higher-wattage incandescent bulbs. LEDs are also cool to the touch. In general, look for a warm white color temperature for living rooms and bedrooms, a bright white color temperature for kitchens and workspaces, and a daylight color temperature for reading nooks and studies. For more information on light bulbs, check out the Light Bulb Buying Guide.