You Need More Lamps

Lamps are an essential part of any room and bring a level of coziness and warmth that can’t be beat. I’m here to say it, you need more lamps. To know me is to know I love lamps. I don’t know when it happened, but I fell head over heels for lamps. I realized that lamps are the perfect spice to any room and provide such an opportunity to add personal flare, interest, while also serving a critical function for how the room feels.

for the love of lamps

I am always surprised when folks rely only on their overhead lighting to light a room. Even if the lights are put on dimmers, you are missing out if you don’t have lamps. Interior Designer, Rita Konig, has a saying about what every room needs— “tables, lamps, and chairs.” And I get it, these are the mid-sized bite pieces that soften the large pieces of furniture in the room like sofas, coffee tables, credenzas, dining tables, etc. Interior Designer, Lauren Liess, says that each seat should have a lighting source near it. And I’ve read that a room should have 5-7 sources of lighting which include general overhead lighting, task lighting, spot lighting (think picture light, book case light, etc.) and atmospheric/decorative lighting (Interior Design Handbook by author Frida Ramstedt).

Personally, I think if you try to add three additional light sources to your overhead lighting, you are in good shape. I like to vary these with table lamps, floor lamps, and a few task lamps, which often come in the form of a metal reading or desk lamp that directs the light down. This allows the light to be scattered at various heights and allows the room. I try to find bases the compliment one another but also feel different, think brass floor lamp mixed with a primitive pottery table lamp.

And lampshades. Goodness, don’t forget the power of lampshades! Lampshades have the power to take a drab situation and make it feel funky, or sophisticated, or edgy, or whatever. If you are wanting to play and experiment, I encourage you check out your local Goodwill stores, thrift stores, and FB marketplace to allow yourself to experiment with bases and shapes with a low dollar risk. Lamps can e-x-p-e-n-s-i-v-e., but if you want to get funky and try something new, second hand is a great place to start.

Great Atmospheric Lamp Finds

Let’s take a dive into some potential styles and good finds. The super small lamps are for shelves or counter tops. They are for little pops of lighting to add some soul. Table Lamps can vary in scale, but its good to try a lamp bigger than what you normally do. Thats how you bring drama and elevate the look. Floor lamps are great almost anywhere.

Small Shelfie Lamps

I’ve been using small shelfie lamps in our bathrooms and kitchens lately and it adds so much charm and coziness. I am so excited that I found some great look-a-a-likes for the one that we have in our bathroom. The heavy crystal really adds a great touch that feels elevated without feeling too formal or polished. I found mine at Home Goods (great place to check for lamps) which was a dupe I had seen on a designer site that had retailed for $300 (woah!)

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table lamps

Table lamps are such a great way to bring in texture and coziness to your room. I love pottery/textured bases, empire shades, and metal to contrast it. Interesting shapes and forms also bring some freshness to a space with new silhouettes and they add lots of interest.

Floor Lamps

Floor lamps are a great place to start and they are super versatile. I tried to find all budget friendly ones to get you started, the World Market lamp is a great place to get started and to pair it with a fun shade would be super fun.

don’t forget lampshades

Lampshades are the jewelry of the room. They can take you in a variety of style directions and breath new life into a space. I am loving the empire shape and am currently on the hunt for pleated fabric shades to add a dash of pattern and English cottage charm. I love how Chrissy, from Harlowe James, brought so much life to her space with this unique and fun lampshade.

Aaaaand lightbulbs:

Also, the shade/color of your bulb greatly matters. Chris Loves Julia wrote a whole blog post about the what to look for. To distill it down quickly, you look for the Kelvin Rating— Kelvin is the color the lightbulb will give you. Most bulbs will be rated between 2000-5000 (warmest to coolest). I like to find bulbs between 2700K and 3000K. I like a warm soft light (not yellow though), so I lean towards 2700, if you want it not quite as warm, do 3000K is your number. Lumen rating will be how much light you will get from the bulb. For more average amount of light, look for 750-800 lumens and for soft accent light, look for 450 lumens.

I’ve heard from so many folks who swear by pink light bulbs! I haven’t tried this yet, but the light isn’t pink in your home— it casts a lovely soft glow. This is on my list to get soon! I linked both types of bulbs in my Amazon Shop and they are linked below.

I’m so glad to travel down ‘lamp’ road with you! It’s such a joy of mine and I think it adds such a fun spice to any space. Be sure to include me on your lamp journeys by tagging on Instagram, commenting below, or emailing me (hello@tinybitsofhappiness.com)!

Hugs,

Meredith

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Hi, I'm Meredith!

A midwest gal living in Arkansas with my husband and pup. Interior Enthusiast. Hand letterer. Seeker of happiness. Will hug your dog. Appreciator of the tiny bits in life.