About Table Lamps
Table lamps, from bedroom lamps on the nightstand to a pair by the sofa, put light where you sit, read and wind down. They plug into an outlet, with nothing to wire. Picture the end of a long day: you sit up in bed with a book, and the lamp on the nightstand lights the page without lighting up the whole room. You'll find nightstand lamps, buffet lamps for sideboards, Tiffany-style lamps with stained glass shades, and matching pairs for both sides of a bed or sofa.
Types of table lamps
- Tiffany Lamps Stained glass lamps made in the style Louis Comfort Tiffany's studio made famous, with shades of stained glass pieces joined by solder. Ours are Tiffany-style lamps, made new; they aren't antiques or Tiffany Studios originals. Check the listing for the shade material. Lit, the shade glows with color.
- Buffet Lamps Tall, slim table lamps for sideboards, buffets and consoles. A narrow shade fits a shallow top, and the height lifts the light above plates and decor.
- Table Lamp Sets Matching table lamps sold together. Many are pairs for both nightstands or both ends of a sofa. Check the listing for how many lamps come in the set.
- Dimmable Table Lamps Turn the light down from reading level to a low evening glow. Use a dimmable LED bulb, and check that the listing says the lamp's dimmer works with LEDs, or it may flicker.
- 3-Way Table Lamps Low, medium and high from one switch. You need a three-way bulb to get each setting.
- Touch Table Lamps Tap the base to turn the lamp on, and on some, tap again to step the brightness. Handy on a nightstand when you're reaching in the dark.
- Accent Table Lamps Smaller lamps for shelves, entryways and small tables. They add a pool of light and some character rather than reading light.
- Cordless Table Lamps Battery-powered lamps, often rechargeable, that go where there's no outlet, like a dining table or a bookshelf. For a patio, look for one the listing says is rated for outdoor use.
How to choose a table lamp
- Bedside height For nightstand lamps and other bedside table lamps, sit up in bed and aim for the bottom of the shade near your chin, about 44" to 48" from the floor. On a 24" to 28" nightstand, that's about 52" to 58" from the floor to the top of the shade.
- Sofa and chair height Beside a sofa or chair, the shade bottom should sit near seated eye level, about 40" to 42" from the floor. That hides the bulb and puts the light on your book.
- Shade width Keep the shade narrower than the table so it doesn't hang over the edge or get bumped.
- Brightness For reading in bed or on the sofa, about 800 lumens, roughly what a 60-watt bulb gave off. A dimmer or three-way switch lets the same lamp go low at night.
- Light color 2700K reads warm and suits table lamps for the bedroom and living room. 3000K is a soft white. Keep it close in color to the room's other main lights.
- Pairs Matching lamps on both nightstands or both ends of a sofa look balanced. Mixed lamps work too if they're about the same height and shade size.
Table lamp size chart
| Placement | Lamp height | Shade width | Where it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nightstand | About 24" to 30" (with the nightstand, about 52" to 58" to the top of the shade) | Narrower than the nightstand | Bedrooms; shade bottom about 44" to 48" from the floor |
| End table beside a sofa | 24" to 30" | Narrower than the table top | Living rooms; shade bottom about 40" to 42" from the floor |
| Console | 28" to 36" | Slim, so it fits a shallow top | Entryways, behind a sofa |
| Buffet or sideboard | 30" to 36" | Slim, narrower than the top's depth | Dining rooms |
| Desk | 15" to 22", often adjustable | A head or shade you can aim | Desks and work surfaces |
Table lamp specs explained
- Socket Many table lamps take a standard E26 bulb; smaller lamps may take a candelabra E12. Check the listing.
- Max wattage Stay at or under the wattage on the lamp's label. An LED that replaces a 60-watt bulb uses about 8 to 10 watts.
- Three-way switch Low, medium and high light; needs a three-way bulb.
- Dimmer Needs a dimmable LED bulb and a dimmer made for LEDs, or it may flicker.
- Touch control Look for how many levels it steps through and which bulbs the listing says to use.
- Shade fit The shade should cover the socket and harp (the wire frame that holds the shade) so you don't see the bulb from the bed or sofa.
Table lamp questions
What are the best lamps for a bedroom?
For reading in bed, put a table lamp on each nightstand with the bottom of the shade near your chin when you sit up, about 44" to 48" from the floor. Look for a shade that hides the bulb, about 800 lumens for reading, and 2700K for a warm light at night. A dimmer, a three-way switch or a touch lamp that steps the brightness lets you turn it low before sleep.
How tall should a table lamp be next to a sofa?
Aim for the bottom of the shade near seated eye level, about 40" to 42" from the floor. On a typical end table, that means a lamp about 24" to 30" tall. Keep the shade narrower than the table.
What size lamp for a nightstand?
Add the nightstand's height to the lamp's. For a 24" to 28" nightstand, a total of about 52" to 58" to the top of the shade puts the bottom of the shade near your chin when you sit up in bed, about 44" to 48" from the floor. Keep the shade narrower than the nightstand.
Mattresses vary, so sit up in bed, measure from the floor to your chin, and look for a shade bottom close to that.
Should bedside table lamps match?
They don't have to. A matching pair looks balanced and gives the same light on both sides, and a table lamp set makes that easy. Two different lamps also work when they share a height and shade size, or a finish. If your nightstands differ in height, choose lamps so the two shades end up at about the same height.
What is a buffet lamp?
A tall, slim table lamp, about 30" to 36", made for a sideboard, buffet or console. Its narrow shade fits a shallow top, and the height lifts the light above plates and decor. A pair at each end of a sideboard is a classic dining room look.
Do 3-way table lamps need a special bulb?
Yes. A three-way socket needs a three-way bulb to give low, medium and high. A standard bulb gives one level of light, and the first click of the switch stays dark. For a dimmable lamp, use a dimmable LED bulb, and check that the lamp's dimmer works with LEDs.
