Table Lamps

Table lamps: how to choose the right table lamp for your living room, bedroom and nightstand

A table lamp is the most personal light in a home. It sits within arm's reach, at the height of your hands and your eyes, and it is usually the last light you switch off at night.

At Westbrook Lighting, our Table Lamps collection brings together lamps for side tables, consoles, nightstands and desks, in stone, glass, metal, fabric and other materials. Some are quiet companions to the furniture. Others are small sculptures that happen to give light.

Choosing the right table lamp is mostly a question of proportion and purpose. The height of the lamp, the size of the table it stands on, the shape of the shade and the kind of light it gives all decide whether it feels right in the room.

Whether you are looking for table lamps for the living room, bedside lamps, nightstand lamps, modern table lamps or a small lamp for a shelf, the points below will help you find one that suits both the furniture and the way you use the space.

What is a table lamp?

A table lamp is a portable light fixture made to stand on a piece of furniture.

It has a base that gives it weight and character, a body that sets its height, and a shade or diffuser that controls the light.

Most table lamps plug into a wall outlet and need no installation.

Because they sit low and close to people, they are used for atmosphere and for close tasks more than for lighting a whole room.

Why choose a table lamp?

A table lamp puts a small pool of warm light exactly where life happens: next to the sofa, beside the bed, on the console by the door.

It lets you keep the ceiling light off in the evening without leaving the room dark.

It also carries a lot of the room's style. A lamp base is one of the few objects that is both decoration and equipment.

And because it only needs an outlet, it is one of the easiest changes you can make to a room.

Table lamps for the living room

In a living room, table lamps usually stand on side tables at the ends of the sofa, on a console behind it, or on a sideboard against the wall.

Their job is to bring light down to seated height and to spread it across the room in several places.

A pair of matching lamps on either side of a sofa gives a calm, symmetrical look. Two different lamps of similar height feel more relaxed.

For reading on the sofa, choose a lamp whose shade is wide enough to send light onto your lap rather than only onto the tabletop.

See how they sit with the rest of the room in our Living Room Lighting collection.

Bedside lamps and nightstand lamps

A bedside lamp has to do three things: give enough light to read, stay out of your partner's eyes, and be easy to switch off from the pillow.

The switch matters more here than anywhere else in the house. Check where it is placed and whether you can reach it lying down.

Scale the lamp to the nightstand. A lamp that takes up the whole surface leaves no room for a book, a glass of water or a phone.

Soft, diffused shades work best in a bedroom, because you often look toward the lamp from a low angle.

Explore our Bedroom Lighting for lamps and fixtures chosen for this room.

Table lamps for the entryway and console

A lamp on an entry console changes the first impression of a home.

It gives a softer welcome than an overhead fixture and makes the hallway feel furnished rather than simply passed through.

Console tables are often narrow, so check the width of the lamp base and shade against the depth of the table.

For more ideas for this part of the house, browse our Hallway & Entryway Lighting.

Desk lamps and task lighting

A lamp on a desk has a more precise job than a lamp on a side table.

It needs to light the work surface without glare on a screen or on paper, and without shining into your eyes.

Designs that direct light downward, or that can be angled, are better suited to work than lamps with a wide glowing shade.

A decorative table lamp can still work well on a desk used for writing, reading mail or occasional laptop work, where atmosphere matters as much as output.

Small table lamps

A small lamp is useful in more places than a large one.

It fits on a shelf, a narrow nightstand, a kitchen counter, a bathroom vanity or a windowsill.

Small lamps are rarely the main light in a room. They add a point of glow that makes a dark corner or a deep shelf feel alive.

Check the height and base width on the product page so you know it will fit the spot you have in mind.

Modern table lamps

Modern table lamps tend toward simple geometry: spheres, cylinders, cones and domes, with little added ornament.

Materials do most of the talking. A plain shape in stone, opal glass or brushed metal can carry a whole corner of a room.

This restraint makes modern lamps easy to place. They sit comfortably with both contemporary and older furniture.

If your room is already busy, a simple modern lamp gives the eye somewhere to rest.

Designer and sculptural table lamps

Some table lamps are chosen as objects first.

A sculptural lamp brings character to a surface even when it is switched off, in the way a vase or a small artwork would.

The Bird Table Lamp and the Flower Leaf Table Lamp are examples of this approach, where the form of the lamp is the main event.

Give a statement lamp a clear surface. It reads best when it is not competing with a crowd of other objects.

Mushroom table lamps

A mushroom lamp has a rounded dome that sits over a short stem.

The dome sends light downward and lets it spill softly around the base, which gives a low, gentle glow.

The shape comes from mid-century design and has become a favorite again for bedrooms, shelves and side tables.

Our Mushroom Table Lamp brings this silhouette to the collection.

Travertine and stone table lamps

Stone gives a lamp weight, both physical and visual.

Travertine has a warm, sandy tone and a naturally pitted surface, so no two pieces look exactly alike.

A stone base pairs well with linen, wood, plaster walls and other matte, natural finishes.

The Travertine Designer Table Lamp is built around this material. If you like it, the Alba Travertine Pendant Light carries the same stone overhead.

Glass table lamps

Glass can do two different things in a lamp.

As a base, clear or colored glass keeps the lamp visually light, which helps on a small table.

As a shade or diffuser, frosted or opal glass spreads the light evenly and hides the bulb.

Glass shows dust and fingerprints more than other materials, so it benefits from a quick wipe now and then.

Fabric and pleated shade table lamps

A fabric shade is the classic way to soften a bulb.

It filters the light, warms its tone and throws it up and down at the same time.

Pleated shades add texture and a slightly traditional feel that works well in bedrooms and living rooms.

The color of the fabric tints the light. White and cream keep it neutral, while darker or colored fabrics make it moodier and direct more of it up and down.

Touch lamps

A touch lamp turns on when you tap the base or body instead of pressing a switch.

Many touch lamps cycle through several brightness levels with each tap.

This is convenient on a nightstand, where finding a small switch in the dark is not always easy.

If touch control matters to you, confirm on the product page that the lamp has it, and which bulbs it works with.

Table lamp vs floor lamp

A table lamp needs furniture to stand on. A floor lamp needs only floor.

If you have a side table or nightstand in the right place, a table lamp keeps the light close and takes up no extra room.

If there is no surface where you need light, a floor lamp fills the gap.

Most living rooms use both. Compare the options in our Floor Lamps collection.

Table lamp vs wall sconce

A wall sconce beside the bed frees the nightstand completely.

Many sconces need to be wired into the wall, although plug-in models exist.

A table lamp can be moved, swapped or taken with you when you move, and it adds a decorative object to the surface.

If you want a clear nightstand or a built-in look, browse our Wall Lights & Sconces.

How tall should a table lamp be?

The right height depends on what the lamp stands on and where you sit.

A helpful check is the bottom of the shade. When you are seated or propped up in bed next to the lamp, it should sit around eye level, so you see the light and not the bulb.

A tall lamp on a tall table will glare. A short lamp on a low table will light only the tabletop.

Measure the height of your table, add the height of the lamp from the product page, and compare the total with your eye level in that seat.

How to match a lamp to the table

Proportion is what makes a lamp look as if it belongs.

The shade should not be wider than the tabletop, or it will be knocked every time someone walks past.

A heavy, wide lamp suits a substantial side table or sideboard. A slim lamp suits a small pedestal table or a narrow nightstand.

Leave some usable surface. A side table that only holds a lamp is not doing its job.

Lamp shades and the light they give

The shade shapes the light as much as the bulb does.

A drum shade, open at top and bottom, sends light both ways and gives a balanced glow.

A cone or empire shade, narrower at the top, pushes more light down onto the table.

A dome sends nearly all the light downward. A globe glows in every direction.

Translucent shades light the room. Opaque shades light the surfaces above and below them.

One lamp or a pair?

A pair of lamps creates symmetry and makes a sofa, a bed or a sideboard feel anchored.

A single lamp is more casual and leaves room for other objects on the opposite side.

On a long console or sideboard, two lamps at either end frame the piece and spread the light evenly.

In a bedroom shared by two people, a lamp on each side lets each person control their own light.

Bulbs and color temperature

For lamps with a replaceable bulb, the bulb decides the color and strength of the light.

Bulbs around 2700K to 3000K are usually sold as warm white or soft white and are the common choice for living rooms and bedrooms.

Because a table lamp sits close to you, a very bright bulb can be uncomfortable. A lower output is often enough.

Check the socket type and the maximum wattage listed for each lamp before buying bulbs.

Switches and cords

Table lamps are switched in several ways: on the cord, on the base, on the socket under the shade, or by touch.

Think about how you will reach it from where you sit or lie.

Check the cord length against the distance to the nearest outlet, and plan to route the cord down the back of the table.

A lamp in the middle of a room, on a table that does not touch a wall, needs a floor outlet or a carefully hidden cord.

Layering light with table lamps

A room with light at only one height tends to feel flat.

Table lamps provide the middle layer, between overhead fixtures and the low glow of candles or accent lights.

Two or three lamps spread around a living room, used together with the ceiling light dimmed or off, give a warmer and more even result than any single source.

Pair them with a Selene Alabaster Wall Sconce on the wall or a floor lamp in the corner to complete the picture.

How to clean a table lamp

Unplug the lamp and let the bulb cool before you start.

Dust the base with a soft dry cloth. Stone, ceramic, glass and metal each have their own finish, so avoid abrasive products.

Fabric shades can be dusted with a soft brush or a lint roller.

Follow the care information given for the individual lamp, since materials differ from one model to another.

What to look for when buying a table lamp

Start with the surface it will stand on, and measure it.

Decide what the lamp is for: reading, atmosphere or decoration.

Check the total height against your eye level in that seat or bed.

Look at the shade shape and material, and the direction of the light.

Confirm the switch type, the cord length, the bulb type and whether a bulb is included.

Then choose the material and finish that sit best with the furniture around it.

Frequently asked questions about table lamps

How tall should a table lamp be on a nightstand?

Tall enough that the bottom of the shade sits around eye level when you are sitting up in bed, so the bulb is hidden.

What size table lamp do I need for a side table?

Choose a lamp whose shade is no wider than the tabletop and whose height suits your seated eye level.

Are table lamps enough to light a living room?

Several table lamps placed around the room can light it comfortably in the evening. Most rooms still benefit from an overhead source for general use.

Should bedside lamps match?

They do not have to. Matching lamps look symmetrical. Two different lamps of similar height look more relaxed.

What is the difference between a table lamp and a desk lamp?

A desk lamp is designed to direct light onto a work surface. A table lamp is usually designed for general, softer light.

What bulb should I use in a table lamp?

Use the socket type and maximum wattage listed for the lamp. For a warm atmosphere, choose a bulb around 2700K to 3000K.

Where should I put a table lamp in the living room?

On side tables beside the sofa or armchairs, on a console behind the sofa or on a sideboard.

What is a touch lamp?

It is a lamp that switches on, off or between brightness levels when you tap its base.

Are stone table lamps heavy?

Stone bases are heavier than most other materials, which also makes them stable. Check the product page for details.

Can I use a table lamp in a small bedroom?

Yes. Choose a compact base that leaves room on the nightstand, or consider a wall sconce if the surface is very small.

Explore table lamps at Westbrook Lighting

A table lamp is a small object with a large effect. It decides how a sofa corner feels in the evening and how a bedroom feels in the last minutes of the day.

The right one depends on its height, its shade, its material and the piece of furniture it will stand on.

Explore our Table Lamps to compare shapes, materials and sizes.

Where there is no surface for a lamp, browse our Floor Lamps. To keep the nightstand clear, see Wall Lights & Sconces. For overhead light, explore Ceiling Lights, Pendant Lights and Chandeliers.

You can also shop by room with our Living Room Lighting and Bedroom Lighting collections.