Bask in Lamplight's Comfort This Season
Get pro insight on lamp styles, shades and ever-confusing bulbs to enjoy the benefits of lamplight on long, cold nights
Tiffany Carboni
November 12, 2013
Houzz Contributor. I am a home design writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Houzz Contributor. I am a home design writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area.... More
When you think of fall and winter, what image comes to mind? Perhaps you’re curled up on the sofa in front of a roaring fireplace sipping brandy or hot cocoa. Maybe you're hosting an intimate, laughter-filled book club. Whatever vision it is, it’s not lit with interrogation downlights or flickering fluorescent bulbs. When you're creating a cozy atmosphere, few things compare to lamplight.
While you can buy a beautiful lamp at any time of year, you’re sure to appreciate its comforting benefits most when the days are shorter. I spoke with lighting experts Mark and Vanessa Bell of Omega Lighting Design and interior designer Anastasia Faiella about finding the best lamps, shades and bulbs to make your home comfortable and inviting during longer, colder nights.
While you can buy a beautiful lamp at any time of year, you’re sure to appreciate its comforting benefits most when the days are shorter. I spoke with lighting experts Mark and Vanessa Bell of Omega Lighting Design and interior designer Anastasia Faiella about finding the best lamps, shades and bulbs to make your home comfortable and inviting during longer, colder nights.
Lamp Type and Size
Table lamps and floor lamps can direct the light where you need it most, and they're both beautiful options.
Choosing a floor lamp. A floor lamp's most obvious advantage over a table lamp is its ability to not take away valuable space from a side table, and you won't have to add a table where one may not be desired.
A floor lamp's base is ideal for slipping into tight or awkward spots between furnishings. It can also add visual weight to an otherwise empty corner. A large overhanging version, like an arc floor lamp, can add a sculptural touch as well as give you the ability to direct light where it's needed.
Choosing a table lamp. A table lamp, on the other hand, presents an opportunity to add decoration at eye level. Because the lamp is at a lower height, it draws the eye not only to its artistry but to its surrounding area.
Table lamps and floor lamps can direct the light where you need it most, and they're both beautiful options.
Choosing a floor lamp. A floor lamp's most obvious advantage over a table lamp is its ability to not take away valuable space from a side table, and you won't have to add a table where one may not be desired.
A floor lamp's base is ideal for slipping into tight or awkward spots between furnishings. It can also add visual weight to an otherwise empty corner. A large overhanging version, like an arc floor lamp, can add a sculptural touch as well as give you the ability to direct light where it's needed.
Choosing a table lamp. A table lamp, on the other hand, presents an opportunity to add decoration at eye level. Because the lamp is at a lower height, it draws the eye not only to its artistry but to its surrounding area.
In this case, a pair of steampunk lamps from Omega Lighting Design strategically leads restaurant guests to the front desk.
While your home obviously isn't a restaurant, the idea is the same: A table lamp is an effective way of drawing attention to a particular area, just as a piece of art would.
While your home obviously isn't a restaurant, the idea is the same: A table lamp is an effective way of drawing attention to a particular area, just as a piece of art would.
This Hubbardton Forge Stasis lamp draws attention to the reading area. Because of its optimal placement, the decorative piece acts as a beacon, welcoming guests.
The size of your lamp will depend on the size and scale of the room as well as the piece of furniture it sits on or next to.
Faiella chose a small, colorful lamp to add a subtle pop that draws the eye here. Any larger and the lamp would likely have distracted from the other details. Any smaller and the lamp would have felt out of scale with its surroundings.
Faiella chose a small, colorful lamp to add a subtle pop that draws the eye here. Any larger and the lamp would likely have distracted from the other details. Any smaller and the lamp would have felt out of scale with its surroundings.
“The biggest rule with regards to scale is lampshade to lamp base," says Vanessa Bell. "So often people choose the wrong shade. You need to make sure there is a good balance between the two. You also need to make sure that your shade doesn't sit too high or too low on the lamp.”
Size of lampshade. While the look of the lampshade is important to the lamp’s overall aesthetic, it also has to perform another important job: to hide the hardware. “All of the hardware, which includes a harp, saddle and socket,” Vanessa says, “should be covered by the shade. If not, you can change the size of the harp to lower the shade if necessary. If the shade is too low on the lamp and covers too much of the body, the harp size can be increased to raise it up.”
More on choosing the right lampshade
More on choosing the right lampshade
Choosing a base. "We are seeing a lot of mercury glass, silver and gold colors along with creamy-colored stone and textured materials for lamp bases, as well as gourd-like or round, organic shapes,” Faiella says.
Such shapes and colors are great for autumn, but they work all year round too.
Though you may be encouraged by the season to buy a lamp for its immediate, comforting benefits, Vanessa encourages folks to choose one for its long-term qualities, just as you would furniture.
Shades. Should you wish to change out a lamp’s look to follow the mood of a particular season, try going with a different shade. “I love to customize lampshades,” Faiella says. “Most lamps come with a paper shade, but using a linen or silk shade detailed with a subtle trim on bottom or top is always nice.”
Feel free to use an upcoming holiday as the perfect excuse to enhance an existing lamp with a new shade!
Feel free to use an upcoming holiday as the perfect excuse to enhance an existing lamp with a new shade!
Bulbs. “Bulbs are becoming a sore spot for many of us,” Mark Bell says. “Fluorescent bulbs are toxic waste and have to be disposed of as such. LED bulbs are most likely going to be the future, but many look too blue, green or purple. They’re just way too cool. The warm, inviting color of incandescents is still the most desirable, but people are concerned with energy efficiency.”
Not to worry; there are plenty of options. “Try to find LED bulbs with at least 2,700 Kelvin warmth,” Vanessa says. “Higher is cooler; lower numbers are better.”
“Because lamps provide mood lighting as well as task,” Mark says, “it may be more preferable to use those energy-efficient bulbs as overhead lights while using warm incandescent bulbs where they are close to your eyes.”
See how light temperatures can change a room
See how light temperatures can change a room
“We look younger under warm light than cool light,” says Vanessa. If that isn’t a good enough reason to rethink using those fluorescent or cool LED bulbs in your lamp, then what is?
The size of these two lamp bases is a perfect complement to the tall headboard and ceiling. Shorter bases might have felt disproportionate.
The size of these two lamp bases is a perfect complement to the tall headboard and ceiling. Shorter bases might have felt disproportionate.
“I always recommend that my clients choose lamps with standard incandescent sockets,” says Mark. “You can always get the latest, greatest bulb in a standard socket. Oftentimes the new-technology sockets get discontinued quickly, or they stop making bulbs for them. Be up-to-date on bulb technology but stick with a timeless socket.”
Your turn: Do you have a favorite lamp to keep you cozy in fall and winter? We'd love to see it in the Comments section below!
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