I love light – natural and artificial, bright light, low light, mood light, accent light – whatever. In fact, the only thing I like better than a well lit room is one that’s lit well with lighting fixtures that look good, too. With a trend toward built in (especially recessed) lighting, living spaces are getting more and better lighting (which is a good thing), but the fixtures that provide that light are getting a whole lot less interesting (which isn’t so good). So, today I’d like to make the case for table lamps and decorative lamp shades – an almost forgotten art form in an age of recessed lights.
Why Table Lamps Matter
Any real estate agent or interior designer will tell you that one of the best choices you can make to raise the value of your home is to make sure you have built in lighting in every room. But having lots of light at the flip of a switch isn’t always enough. Table lamps offer an extra layer of lighting, lighting in a specific area (like next to a favorite chair or on your bedside table), and maybe most importantly, add color and depth to your decor. Something like this Patterson Lamp is simple and sleek, with a dark finish that’s ever so slightly unexpected.
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Add Color
When you think of lamp shades, you probably think of some shade of off-white or cream, maybe smooth and maybe with a ripply texture. But that style is as tired as it is traditional. The black shade on the Patterson lamp is stunning by contrast, and choosing a lamp shade in any bright, bold color is a great way to easily add visual interest to your space. I especially like this Alva Lamp from Dimond Lighting, which adds a bright pop of color and a distinct personality you won’t get from any other kind of home decor (at least nothing that’s also practical!).
Have Fun With Fabric
Of course, making a statement with your lamp shade is about more than just color; the fabric it’s made out of is important too. Whether a rustic, sackcloth type textile or something more elaborate (like the gorgeous purple shade with flocked floral detailing on this Cressona Lamp). This is a great way to either bring out a color that’s already in your decor, or play on an existing pattern. Importantly, the thickness and color of your lamp shade will also alter (if slightly) the color, quality, and amount of light, making this an even more important decision.
Play With Patterns
Similar to opting for a table lamp with a textured fabric lamp shade, you can also get a lot of mileage out of shades with finer detailing, especially repeating patterns. This Lauren Lamp is a picture perfect princess lamp, with a delicate pink-on-pink floral design that gives it a nice effeminate touch. Better still, the color of the shade ever so slightly tints the light, helping cast the color on the room as well a coordinating with your surrounding decor.
Add Texture
Of course, adding texture doesn’t have to be quite so wild and bold – in fact, it can be quite simple. Traditionally, that would mean simple folds on a light white fabric shade, but since we’re going for bold rather than boring, I’d point to this Laurie Table Lamp. With a dark neutral bronze faux-silk shade and subtle rippled detailing, this more traditionally colored table lamp is anything but ordinary, drawing the eye with waves of subtle sheen and shadow.
Keep It Simple
Sometimes, though, the most elegant solutions are the simplest ones. I love love love this Fairfield Lamp, with it’s gorgeous, multi-toned blue polka dots. It’s otherwise a simple white lamp shade, but between the decorative glass and chrome base and the different shades of blue dots, it’s lovely, eye catching, and different – the perfect way to add that little extra something to your living space (and not just light, either!).
So if you’re looking to add a little extra light to your living space, consider adding a table lamp – not only will it act as a nice piece of decor, but if you find one with a nice lamp shade, it can be an incredibly attractive (and effective) centerpiece. How do you feel about designer table lamps? Are you more interested in getting lots of light, or a stylish look?
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