When designing the perfect room, every little detail matters; including the lamps you decide to add into that space. Lamps are excellent home accessories, providing both an aesthetic and practical addition to your room without taking up too much space. However, having a lamp that is either too big or too small can detract from the very same area you are looking to spruce up. Therefore, it is important to be careful about your selection. Following a few key tips on choosing the right lamp size is essential during this part of the design process.
Before anything else, you should make sure that the lampshade you choose is proportional to the base you have chosen to work with. The general rule of thumb in regards to shade-to-base heights is that the shade should be between 65 and 80 percent of the height of the base, or approximately a third of the finished lamp’s overall size. In any case, a shade should be large enough to cover the exposed hardware at the top of the base where the bulb is held.
Aside from the shade-to-lamp ratio, the shape of the shade you choose for your lamp is the most important factor that determines whether this piece of décor will help make or break a room’s design. When selecting your shade, be sure to remember that square shades tend to fit square bases better, while round bases work better with round shades. For example, the Linus lamp features a round, almost globe-like base and comes with a round shade accordingly. Meanwhile, the contemporary Silver Rock Table Lamp features an angular base and therefore has a long, rectangular shade that compliments it. In general, the diameter of the shade should be no less than 2 inches smaller than that of the base.
When it comes to adorning nightstands and end tables, you will typically want the shade portion of your lamp to start approximately at eye level. Sit on the couch, chair, or bed situated closest to the table you are looking to outfit, then measure the distance between the table’s surface and eye level. This should be the approximate height of the base of any table lamps you purchase for the area.
Both floor and table are effective ways to brighten up your space, but which is better? In general, table lamps are more prominently used, especially in living rooms and bedrooms where end tables are common. That being said, it is not essential to choose between the two options. In fact, using both table and floor lamps in the same room help create a layered lighting effect.
However, you will need to be just as selective about the height of your floor lamp if you want to get the best results in both functionality and appearance. If your lamp is going to be close to a sofa or chair, it is ideal to have the shade at, or below, eye level to avoid a glare on screens. If, however, you intend to place the lamp in a corner or far away from the seating area, opt for a taller lamp such as the Nolan floor lamp. Tall lamps help disperse light further and more effectively throughout a room.
Lamps of all shapes and sizes are a great way to brighten up even the most closed-in rooms and fill an area with a bit more life. It is your job to follow a few design principles to figure out which of these lamps is ideal for your space. Browse online inventory at SuperNova Furniture to get a better idea of your available options and find the perfect match for your design plans today!