IN THIS POST
– Types of Table Lamps
– Types of Floor Lamps
– How to Select the Perfect Lamp?
When it comes to interior decoration, even the tiniest details can make the biggest difference. The colour palette, flooring, cabinetry and furniture may be considered the essential elements of home décor, but it is lighting that brings everything together by turning an otherwise dull room into a cosy retreat or an extravagant seating area. If you are trying to create a certain ambience, all you need to do is invest in a few different types of lamps to complete the overall look of your home.
Today, there are different types of lamps available in the market, with their prices ranging between four to five digits, on average.
Based on their design, features and functionality, lamps can be classified into several different categories. However, for the sake of convenience and clarity, we have divided these light fixtures into table lamps and floor lamps.
Types of Table Lamps
As the name suggests, these lamps are the perfect height to be placed on a table, desk, or shelf. Their primary function of a lamp is to illuminate its surroundings and can also be used to provide both task and ambient lighting.
Depending on its design and function, the same table lamp can be used to add some much-needed light to your reading nook as well as enhance the aesthetic appeal of your lavish drawing-room.
It is important to mention that you shouldn’t rely on these lamps to provide general lighting on their own. While they will help make your room look brighter, you will undoubtedly need some ceiling light fixtures or wall sconces to properly illuminate your space.
Here are some of the most popular types of table lamps that you can buy for your home.
- Bedside Lamp
- Buffet Lamp
- Torchiere Lamp
- Banker or Piano Lamp
- Desk Lamp
Let’s find out about the features, purpose and placement of these different styles of table lamps.
Bedside Lamps
Bedside lamps are generally referred to as standard or traditional table lamps and serve two primary functions: providing enough light for some night-time reading and adding some beauty to your bedroom décor.
These lamps are available in a wide variety of designs and shapes, though the most common one comprises a long body and a cylindrical shade.
Although there is no definite rule saying that you should always buy a pair of bedside table lamps, most interior designers suggest buying one lamp if you have a single bed and two if you have a large or king-size bed. Placing a bedside lamp on either side of a large bed will give it a more balanced look.
Where Should You Place These Types of Lamps?
These table lamps should ideally be placed on your bedside tables or nightstand. However, these can also be placed on the small side tables in your drawing room.
Buffet Lamps
Buffet Lamps are also known as console lamps. They are usually tall and have a very slender body paired with a small shade, which means they don’t take up a lot of space and only provide low downcast lighting.
These types of table lamps are available in a wide range of stunning designs and are mostly used for the purpose of decoration. Their ideal height is between 32 to 36 inches, starting from the base of the lamp to the top of the shade.
Just like bedside lamps, there is no rule stating that you must buy two of these lamps for your home. However, if you are placing it on a long table, it is always better to invest in a pair for a more cohesive look.
Where Should You Place These Types of Lamps?
These types of lamps for home look great on the console table in your hallway as well as the side tables in the drawing-room.
Torchiere Lamps
Torchiere table lamps could be the perfect choice for homes with modern or contemporary décor. The design of these lamps mimics a torch, which means both the body and the accompanying shade (if any) directs the light upwards instead of directing it downwards.
Although they appear pretty simple, torchiere lamps can add a touch of elegance and lavishness to your drawing room or bedroom décor. They are available in different shapes and sizes, both with and without shades.
These lamps are usually available individually instead of pairs, though you just buy two if you are planning to place them on your nightstands.
Where Should You Place These Types of Lamps?
Torchiere lamps can ideally be placed atop a chest of drawers or an end table in your living room, the dresser or nightstand in your bedroom as well as the side tables in your drawing room.
The banker or Piano Lamps
You may remember seeing the banker or piano lamps in your grandparent’s house growing up. These lamps generally have a wide slender brass body and a wide, slender shade projecting a wide sweep of light across the desk or table they are placed on.
Banker lamps date back over a hundred years and are still considered one of the most recognizable types of lamps for home. This lamp design is not just nostalgic but also timeless and classic. To this day, banker lamps are widely available in the market in varying shapes and sizes.
Where Should You Place These Types of Lamps?
Banker lamps can be a brilliant addition to your home office or workroom, home library and even living room.
Desk Lamps
Desk lamps are specifically designed to illuminate your study table or workspace. They provide task lighting and usually come with a flexible body that can be extended, retracted and angled to focus light on a particular spot.
Again, you may find desk lamps in a wide variety of designs, though the most common style has a metallic or plastic body with a conical shade that can be adjusted according to your personal preference and needs.
The ideal height of a desk lamp is between 24 and 34 inches. Moreover, unlike other table lamps on the list, these lamps are not placed in pairs. Usually, one desk lamp per room is more than enough.
Where Should You Place These Types of Lamps?
You can place desk lamps in your home library, on your work desktop, your study table and even the side table in your living room.
On a side note, if you want to improve the air quality in your home and reduce the number of allergens, here are some benefits of Himalayan salt lamps that you should know about.
Types of Floor Lamps
There isn’t much difference between the table and floor lamps, except that the latter is significantly taller and boasts a freestanding design.
Usually, floor lamps don’t require any drilling, mounting or complicated installation. All you need to do is place them near an electrical outlet so it’s easy to plug them in. If you need to replace or move them to another location in your home, you can simply unplug and shift them to their new spot without worrying about any permanent attachments.
These lamps usually provide general and task lighting.
Let’s take a look at the most popular types of floor lamps in Pakistan.
- Traditional Floor Lamp
- Arched or Arc Floor Lamp
- Torchiere Floor Lamp
- Swing Arm Floor Lamp
- Multi-Way or Tree Lamp
Here is all you need to know about these types of lamps and their uses along with placement.
Traditional Floor Lamp
Traditional or tall standing floor lamps are one of the most common indoor lighting fixtures found in homes across Pakistan. These lamps have a weighted circular or square base for stability, a slender pole about 56 to 64 inches tall, one or more holders of LED bulbs, on and off switch with an electrical cord, and a lampshade to cast the light either downwards or to the side.
You can easily find a wide variety of these lamp designs in the market. While the basic structure of the lamp remains the design, the colour, height and style of lamp shades may differ significantly. Some of the most common types of lamp shades include stained glass, fabric, parchment and plastic.
Traditional floor lamps can provide ambient, general and task lighting. They can also be used for the purpose of decoration.
Where Should You Place These Types of Lamps?
The placement of traditional floor lamps depends largely on their intended use. However, these tall lamps can be placed behind your living room couch, next to your study table or in one of the corners of your dining room.
Arched or Arc Floor Lamp
If you want to add a splash of luxury to your living room or drawing room décor, consider purchasing a minimalistic arc lamp and placing it behind your sofa set or next to your dining table.
Arc floor lamps have become a popular home décor item in Pakistan. These lamps boast a weighted base, tall pole and a long arched arm that extends across the space to provide a hanging light source overhead.
Essentially, arc lamps act like ceiling light fixtures, except that they can be easily moved from one room to another without any hassle. These lamps are usually around 5 to 8 feet tall. You can easily find them with both wide and cylindrical lamp shades.
Where Should You Place These Types of Lamps?
The types of floor lamps can be used to illuminate the living room, drawing room and dining room.
Torchiere Floor Lamp
Just like torchiere table lamps, torchiere floor lamps are designed like torches with top-open shades that allow the light to spread upward and outward. They are mostly used for ambient lighting as they cast a soft glow in the room instead of illuminating the entire space with a bright light.
These types of floor lamps are usually between 5 to 6 feet tall and are ideal for homes that have high ceilings. Torchiere floor lamps are also rather popular in homes with lower ceilings where installing overhead light fixtures is impractical.
These lamps are available in both traditional and contemporary designs, thus serving the purpose of a decorative item as well.
Where Should You Place These Types of Lamps?
You can place torchiere floor lamps in your living room or drawing room, depending on your personal taste and the theme of your décor.
Swing Arm Floor Lamp
Swing-arm lamps are one of the most functional types of floor lamps you can buy for your home.
This lamp has a stationary base, however, its arm is adjustable and can pivot or swing in any given direction. You can also extend the arm and reposition the lampshade to cast light on a particular spot. These lamps are usually the same height as tall standing lamps and can be easily moved around the house if need be.
Needless to say, swing arm lamps are both practical and stylish, making them an ideal choice for any home.
Where Should You Place These Types of Lamps?
Swing arms lamps should always be placed in low-traffic areas so that you can easily move it around without disturbing anyone.
Multi-Way or Tree Floor Lamps
A tree or multi-way floor lamp has a singular base connected to a tall pole that leads to numerous branches of arms, each with its low light fixture at the very end. To put it simply, this type of floor lamp has more than one light source and is great for both ambient and task lighting.
Some tree floor lamps come with adjustable shades, which allow you to direct the light at a certain spot. Moreover, buying this floor lamp is a budget-friendly alternative to buying two or more traditional tall standing ones.
These lamps come in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs, some even mimicking a tree. The lampshades are usually made of stained glass, crystal or fabric.
The height of tree lamps is usually between about 55 to 65 inches.
Where Should You Place These Types of Lamps?
You can place these floor lamps in your home library, living room and even the dining room. It’s a great way to maximize a small space, which makes it a great option for reading nooks and home offices as well.
How to Select the Perfect Lamp?
There are four main things you need to keep in mind while browsing through different types of lamps for home.
- Height of the lamp
- Width of the lamp
- Size of the lampshade
- Style of the lamp
Let’s elaborate a bit.
Height of the Lamp
When it comes to buying a bedside lamp, you need to make sure it is neither too small nor too tall. As per the general rule of thumb, your bedside lamp should be a few inches taller than the height of the nightstand, given that your nightstand is just as tall as your bed.
Width of the Lamp
Most floor lamps have a slender body, whereas table lamps come in all shapes and sizes. As per the experts, the widest point of the lamp should be roughly one-third the width of the table or nightstand it’s being placed on. It is important to point out that the widest part of a lamp is usually the bottom part of its shade.
Size of the Lampshade
Here are some simple formulae that will help you figure out the right size of lampshade for your room:
Width of the lampshade: Twice the width of the lamp
Height of the lampshade: Two-thirds of the height of the lamp
Style of the lamp
Last but not least, the style of your room should complement the overall theme of your décor. If you are a fan of a minimalist lifestyle, you should consider buying a simplistic yet trendy lamp with a metallic base and geometric lampshade. Meanwhile, if you are going for a more cheerful vibe, you can experiment with colourful lamps to brighten up your home.
If you want to learn more about different types of lights and their placement, our comprehensive guide on the topic will surely answer most of your questions. Also, if you are looking for some DIY project ideas, you can try making your own lampshades to uplift your home décor.
For any queries pertaining to different types of lamps for home, get in touch with us by emailing on blog@zameen.com. You can also subscribe to our newsletter on the right to receive the latest news about all that’s going on in the construction and real estate industries in Pakistan.
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