Choose a table lamp by checking its widest shade measurement, its height from your usual seat and the room left on the furniture beneath it. A lamp needs to fit the way you use that corner. Looking good from the doorway is only part of the job.
Before ordering, take a tape measure to the actual spot. A few minutes beside the sofa can answer questions that a photograph cannot.
Measure the shade first
The base is rarely the widest part of a lamp. A neat wooden foot can support a shade that reaches much further across a bedside table, so check both measurements.
Cut a paper circle or square to the shade’s maximum width and lay it on the table. Put your usual book, glass and phone beside it. Does everything still have a sensible home? Check the space towards the wall, too, particularly on a narrow console.
Leave the lamp on a stable surface with its base fully supported, and follow the product’s instructions for clearances. Allow space for curtains and anything else that moves nearby.
Compare the numbers not the name
Our Frampton Medium table lamp is 41cm tall, with a 13cm base and a shade measuring 31cm across its bottom edge. The Backwell table lamp stands 73cm tall, with a 20cm base and a 35cm shade.
That is a 32cm difference in overall height, while the shade widths differ by just 4cm. Both are called medium lamps, which is a useful reminder to let the dimensions guide you. Frampton’s shorter form and Backwell’s taller presence will sit very differently against a wall or beside a chair.
Judge the light from where you sit
Sit on the bed or in the armchair where you plan to use the lamp. Think about the page in your hands and whether the shade will screen the bulb from your usual line of sight. Your own height, the furniture and the lamp’s position all affect that view.
For reading, check that the light reaches the page comfortably. A decorative lamp can provide a pleasing evening glow without supplying enough directed light for every task. The table-lamp collection includes a choosing guide to help you narrow the options.
Give the switch and cable a place
Imagine reaching for the switch when you are settled for the evening. Will you have to lean across a drink or pull the lamp towards you? Work out where the cable will run and keep it clear of the route through the room.
Before checking out, confirm the fitting, maximum bulb rating and what is included. Frampton and Backwell take E27 bulbs, supplied separately. Follow the lamp’s instructions when selecting one, and check compatibility before using any dimming equipment.
Choose the finish once the fit works
With the practical questions answered, look at the materials already nearby. Pale wood can bring a little lightness beside a dark cabinet; richer brown tones can give pale bedding a warmer edge. A linen shade adds texture without requiring a patterned room.
The right lamp should leave you with a comfortable corner and somewhere to put your cup.
Common questions
How tall should a bedside lamp be?
There is no single height for every bed. Check the lamp from your seated position, taking the bedside table’s height and the shade’s position into account.
Is a smaller base better for a small table?
It can help, but measure the shade as well. The shade may occupy much more space than the base, particularly beside a wall.
