DESIGN TABLE LAMP: ALL THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

3 TIPS TO CHOOSE THE MOST SUITABLE TABLE LAMP
FOR EACH ENVIRONMENT OF THE HOUSE  

Table lamps are a characterizing element of home furnishings. Their presence has not only a functional purpose, but also a decorative one and, in fact, they are lighting fixtures that accompany us in almost all environments to complete lighting and create a certain atmosphere.

Actually, table lamps are a rather recent invention and their origin, which is to be attributed to George Carwardrine (a British engineer and a designer of suspensions for cars) dates back to 1931. The first model of table lamp had, however, industrial and military purposes. It was, in fact, used on trains and warplanes with the aim of improving the functionality of the lighting.

Only in 1935 was a “home” version of the table lamp presented, with the name of Angloise Original 1227. In fact, it was a spring lamp (the iconic desk lamp with an adjustable arm, so to speak) which responded to the dimming needs of wartime since, when lowered, it allowed to illuminate everything in a discreet way with great effectiveness.

Over time and the advent of new design trends, table lamps have reinvented themselves in shape and style, going from a functional object to a trendy decorative element.

Today, on the market, it is possible to find table lamps of all kinds and manufacture but, to obtain the best results in terms of home decor, it may be useful to follow a few tips.

Let’s see them together!

1. WHERE SHOULD THE TABLE LAMP BE PLACED?

Table lamps furnish and enhance, illuminate and relax.

They can create certain atmospheres and give character to the environment. If placed in the right corner, in fact, they give depth to the room, improving the general effect of the lighting.

This type of lighting fixture, generally known as table lamp, is actually also suitable for furniture, shelves and bookcases or else it can become a bedside lamp as an abat–jour or even used on small tables.

Their use – functional or decorative – influences the general perception of the environment.

Let’s see, then, how to place these eclectic lighting fixtures.

TABLE LAMPS FOR LIVING ROOM

A lighting fixture placed on the living room table has an important decorative function because its position in the center of the living room captures attention and therefore becomes the protagonist.

Details therefore become decisive and with them the design and workmanship. The precious materials, such as the handmade Murano glass and the noble metals of the frame like, for example, in the sphere lamp of Stone collection, are a perfect combination to make the environment elegant and refined, with a guaranteed effect of sophistication.

Should you prefer a more classic or vintage style, the most suitable table lamps are those with rounded stems and lampshades, such as the classic table lamp proposed in the Venezia collection by Patrizia Volpato.

SMALL TABLE LAMPS

The small table next to an armchair is the perfect location to place a table lamp in order to create a relaxation or reading corner.

Be careful to always maintain coherence and fluidity with the general style of the environment: a design table lamp stands out for its overall harmony and for its details.

Whether it’s a table lamp with shade, or a modern lamp  or a luxury crystal or Murano glass lamp, the important thing is that such lamp is highlighted in order to best express its style, without adding too many objects around.

BEDSIDE LAMPS AND BEDROOM TABLE LAMPS

Table lamps also find a perfect location as a bedside lamp and as a night light for the bedroom.

It is an ideal choice that does not require particular precautions in the construction of the electrical system, since generally, the power sockets are set up on the two sides of the bed, according to the specifications already.

The bedside lamps are a piece of furniture within the bedroom both on an aesthetic as well as on a  functional level that greatly influence the general appearance of the environment.

A soft and romantic line like the one proposed in the Petali collection, which replaces lampshades with sinuous leaves made of crystal and Murano glass grit generates a delicate and gentle atmosphere.

In the same way, the refinement of the Cristalli collection  that offers optical crystal table lamps  or Murano glass lamps, clear and colored, creates an elegant and sophisticated effect.

FURNITURE OR SHELF LAMPS

As we said previously, this type of lamp also finds a perfect location above a piece of furniture or a shelf: the decorative effect is guaranteed!

Indulging yourself with shapes and colors can certainly make that particular space in the room interesting, the important thing is to always maintain consistency with the rest of the environment.

Rondò collection  plays on the plasticity of Murano glass, which is processed and curved by hand to create playful, light and colorful shapes. These LED table lamps  are perfect on a piece of furniture such as on a shelf.

A more contemporary alternative is the metal table lamp  proposed by the Sfera collection made up of small discs of metal and light with a futuristic look, alternating between empty and full spaces.

The table lamp proposals by Patrizia Volpato  are numerous and leave space for original and refined solutions.

2. HOW TALL SHOULD A TABLE LAMP BE?

Height and size depend on the dimensions of the piece of furniture or table on which the table lamp is placed. All elements must create a sense of harmony and proportion.

If the chosen lamp is too large for the table on which it is placed, the result will be unpleasant, just as a very small lamp on a large base will tend to disappear.

Therefore, before choosing and buying your table lamps, carefully evaluate all sizes in order to obtain the harmonious and welcoming effect you aspire to.

As far as the height is concerned, we can say that, regardless of whether the lamp is placed on a table, a bedside table, a piece of furniture or a desk, it must guarantee a lighting beam according to its specific use. For example, if we consider a reading or bedside lamp, the lighting beam must allow a correct vision without tiring the eyes, while in the case of a lamp positioned on a shelf, this will have the function of enhancing a particular corner and the objects around it with a different light emission.

In principle, the luminous flux must never be at eye level to avoid being annoying and uncared for.

3. WARM, COLD OR NEUTRAL LIGHT? WHICH IS BETTER FOR A TABLE LAMP?

Light bulbs are not all the same and the warmth of the emitted light provides for a specific atmosphere. This is why it is important to choose the bulb and the type of light well:

• Warm light: is given by bulbs with less than 3,300 degrees Kelvin and is perceived by the eye with shades ranging from red to yellow.
• Cold light: occurs when the light bulb exceeds 5,000 degrees Kelvin and is called cold because it is perceived as having shades between bright white and blue.
• Neutral light: tends towards opaque white and is supplied by light bulbs around 4,000 degrees Kelvin.

Playing on the shades of light – warm, cold, and neutral – allows you to create different environments and atmospheres because light changes the perception of environments. The tone of light affects the person on a psychological level and determines moods according to its intensity.

There is no real universal rule, since lighting follows personal taste. However, there are some tips and tricks that can help you achieve the maximum degree of comfort and efficiency.

In the case of a modern house, with shiny furniture and colored walls, a cold light is preferable because blue enhances the details and does not distort the colours.

The warm light, on the other hand, perfectly matches with a more classic style as the yellow and red shades enhance the colors of the wood, making them warm and enveloping.

But, in addition to the style, the function of the room and the frequency of permanence must be taken into account.

In the bedroom, for example, as in the most inhabited rooms, it is important to create a relaxing and welcoming environment and, therefore, warm lights are preferable.

This does not mean that one must opt for one solution or the other but that the lights must be calibrated, so as to set different areas and angles.

The use of a cold light for the main lighting – chandelier, ceiling light, etc. – whilst lighting fixtures with a warm light for relaxation corners (e.g. the table lamp on a small table or on a piece of furniture) is a good compromise.

If we talk, however, of a desk lamp, where directional lighting is needed, a cold light or a neutral light that induces concentration and does not alter the colors is certainly more suitable.

Patrizia Volpato offers original and innovative table lamps in fine handmade Murano glass and luxurious optical crystal, in a classic or contemporary style to satisfy any need in terms of style and taste. Discover all the collections !