Table Lamps

Buying guide:How many lumens per m²? Lighting room by room, from bulb to floor lamp What height and dimensions for a bedside table?

Centrepiece of any interior, the table lamp lights up a room as much as it decorates it, from the living room to the bedside.

The table lamp is the most liberated light in the home. It can be moved, swapped and used to redefine a mood in seconds, without any electrical work at all. It is also designers' favourite playground: Gae Aulenti's Pipistrello, Verner Panton's shapes reissued by Verpan and the articulated Anglepoise lamp all became collector's pieces before they were ever light sources.

Our selection brings together the great Italian and Scandinavian houses. Artemide, Flos and Kartell for the Italian school, with its sculptural forms and translucent materials. HAY, &tradition, Gubi and Ferm Living for northern Europe, more understated, often in matt metal or opal glass. Marset, Serax and Hübsch round things off with more contemporary pieces.

Start by thinking about how you will use it. In the living room, a wide lamp casts a warm, indirect light at the end of the day. On a bedside table, go for a compact model with adjustable intensity. On a desk, the articulated lamp remains the benchmark, with its adjustable arm and directional beam.

Cordless models now form a family of their own, ready to be carried from the table to the terrace: discover them in our cordless lamps. To dress up an existing base rather than change the whole lamp, our lampshades offer a simple alternative. And to light a whole room, take a look at our floor lamps.

Frequently asked questions

What height should a table lamp be for a bedside table?

Between 40 and 55 cm in total for a standard bedside table: the shade should sit at roughly shoulder height when you're sitting up in bed, so the bulb stays out of your line of sight.

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

A table lamp gives off ambient light, broad and indirect. A desk lamp directs a precise beam onto a work surface, usually via an articulated arm and an adjustable head. Both families feature in this selection.

Which brands make designer table lamps?

From Italy: Artemide, Flos and Kartell, the benchmark for sculptural shapes and translucent materials. From Scandinavia: HAY, &tradition, Gubi and Ferm Living. Marset, Verpan, Anglepoise, Serax and Hübsch round out the selection.

Can you change the shade on a table lamp?

Yes, on most models with a separate base, provided you match the diameter and fitting type of the original shade. One-piece light fittings, where the diffuser forms part of the structure, cannot be altered.

Is one table lamp enough to light a living room?

Rarely on its own. The usual approach is to multiply the light sources: two or three table lamps spread around the room create a softer light than a single ceiling fitting. A floor lamp is a useful addition for reading areas.