Table Lamps

Brighten Any Room With the Right Table Lamp

Table lamps are easy to overlook, but they are one of the fastest ways to change how a room feels. A space can have the right furniture and the right colours and still feel flat. Most of the time, what is missing is the lighting.

Forty years of helping Australians get their home lighting right gives us a lot to draw from. What follows is the practical side of all that experience.

What kind of light does a table lamp give?

A table lamp gives ambient, task or decorative lighting, shaped by its shade, height and placement. Think about the everyday moment you want the light to support:

• Ambient lighting adds soft, general warmth, so bedside table lamps suit a bedroom corner or relaxed lounge.
  
• Task lighting gives focused light for reading or close work, so a desk lamp suits a study nook.
  
• Decorative lighting adds accent and shape, much like wall lights in an entrance hall or a lamp on a console table.

Early Settler's in-house Melbourne design team considers each lamp's purpose, which makes choosing simpler.

Where do table lamps work best in your home?

Table lamps work best where you need light close by, especially beside the bed or on living room side tables. On bedside tables, choose a lamp that suits your bedroom furniture and gives a comfortable reading light without crowding the surface.

In a living room, place one on a side table to soften sofas or armchairs. They also work on console tables, a hallway console, a home office desk or a dining room credenza. For rooms without a nearby power point, portable and cordless USB lamps offer flexibility. Early Settler's 60+ showrooms let you see placements styled in real room settings.

How to choose the right size table lamp

The right size table lamp should suit the surface height, the room and the job you need it to do.

As a guide, the base and lampshade together should sit at roughly 1.5 times the height of the table. For a living room side table or bedside table, the bottom of the shade should sit near eye level when you are seated. This helps the lamp give ambient light or focused light without glare.

Check the shade width too. If it extends beyond the table edges, the lamp will look unbalanced. Early Settler offers small 19-24cm accent lamps through to 84-88cm statement styles, with in-store design consultants who can help scale your lighting solution.

What materials do table lamps come in?

Table lamps come in natural fibres, earth-based finishes, minerals, synthetics and wood. The right material depends on the mood you want, the furniture nearby and how much texture the room already has.

Each material group creates a clear style cue:

• Natural Fibres and Plant Materials - Rattan, rope, sea grass, paper, linen and fabric shades suit relaxed rooms that need softness, texture and a coastal feel.
  
• Earth, Stone and Ceramics - Ceramic, marble, concrete, capiz shell, mother of pearl and stone suit rooms that need weight, natural detail and a collected look.
  
• Minerals and Synthetics - Glass, resin and metal finishes such as brass, steel, bronze, antique gold and antique brass work well for clean shapes and reflective accents.
  
• Wood - Timber suits warm, natural rooms where grain and character matter.

Where timber bases appear, Early Settler works with suppliers who prioritise responsibly sourced materials, making a quality timber lamp base a considered choice.

What bulb should you use in a table lamp?

An LED bulb is the best choice for most table lamps because it lasts longer, uses less energy and runs cooler than older bulb types. For reading, choose 800 lumens or more and a 3000K to 4000K colour temperature for clear, focused light.

For ambient table lights, 250 to 400 lumens gives a softer glow, while warm white 2700K suits bedside lamps. A rechargeable or LED table lamp may use its own built-in bulb system, so check the product details.

Every room deserves the right light

The right light makes a room feel considered, comfortable and easy to live in. Browse more of Early Settler’s lighting range online, or visit a showroom to see how pendant lights, bedside table lamps, chandeliers and floor lamps work with real furniture and finishes.

If you are ready to buy, Home Club is a helpful little extra. It is free to join, and members receive 10% off full-price items plus a welcome reward on their first purchase.

FAQs

How do I take care of a table lamp?

Dust the shade regularly with a soft dry cloth or a low-suction vacuum attachment. For the base, a slightly damp cloth works on most finishes. Avoid harsh cleaners on ceramic, glass or timber. Check the cord and fitting periodically, and keep the lamp away from direct heat sources.

Should table lamps in a room match?

Table lamps do not need to match exactly, but a shared thread helps. Two bedside lamps can differ in shape as long as the finish or material is consistent. In a living room, mixing styles works when height and overall tone are similar.

Are dimmable table lamps worth it?

Yes, particularly for bedside lamps and living room side tables where you want to shift between reading light and softer ambient use. A dimmable lamp needs a compatible dimmable LED bulb to work properly. For most everyday uses, a standard LED bulb in a non-dimmable lamp is enough.

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

A bedside lamp is a type of table lamp designed for beside the bed. The term table lamp covers the broader category, including lamps for living rooms, desks, consoles and hallways. Bedside lamps tend to be smaller in scale and chosen for softer ambient or reading light.

Can a table lamp be used as the only light source in a room?

In most rooms, a single table lamp will not provide enough light on its own. They work best as part of a layered approach alongside ceiling lights or floor lamps. In a bedroom used mainly for winding down, a bedside lamp can be enough for the evening.