A room with no overhead lighting and a single lamp in the corner is the most common lighting mistake in living rooms, and it is easy to fix. The problem is not the lamp -- it is the placement and the assumption that one source is enough.
Here is how to choose lamps that actually light a room instead of creating a single bright spot in the dark.
How room lighting works
Good room lighting comes from multiple sources at different heights. A room lit only from above (overhead fixture) creates flat, even light with no warmth. A room lit only from a single lamp creates one bright spot and the rest of the room stays dim. The combination -- overhead ambient light supplemented by table and floor lamps -- creates layers of light that make a room feel finished and livable.
Three types of light in a well-lit room:
- Ambient light: General illumination of the room -- overhead fixtures, recessed lighting, or a floor lamp set to flood the space.
- Task light: Focused light for reading, working, or a specific activity -- a floor lamp positioned behind or beside a chair, a table lamp on a desk.
- Accent light: Decorative light that draws attention to something -- a lamp that lights a piece of artwork, a table lamp that creates a warm glow on a console table.
Most living rooms only have ambient light (the overhead fixture) and maybe one floor lamp. Adding a table lamp at each end of the sofa and a floor lamp in a corner immediately changes the feel of the room.
Floor lamps
Floor lamps divide into two main types: torchieres (which direct light upward) and reading or task lamps (which direct light downward or at an angle).
Torchiere floor lamps: The shade or reflector faces upward, bouncing light off the ceiling and down into the room as diffused ambient light. They are the most efficient way to add ambient light to a room without adding an overhead fixture. Placed in a corner, a torchiere increases the overall light level of the room without creating glare. The weakness: they do not direct light toward a reading or sitting area.
Arched floor lamps: A curved stem extends over a seating area to position the light above and in front of the reader. Good for reading in a chair or sofa spot without a table lamp nearby. The lamp needs to be behind or to the side of the seated position -- if the light source is in front of you, it creates glare. Most arc floor lamps position the shade 6 to 8 feet off the floor, which works in rooms with standard 8-foot ceilings.
Task floor lamps (adjustable): A straight or adjustable stem with a directional shade. Used beside a reading chair, sewing table, or any area where specific directed light is needed. Height range of 58 to 72 inches is standard.
Placement rule for floor lamps: the lamp should be at shoulder height or above when you are seated -- light that is at eye level or below creates glare. For a floor lamp beside a reading chair, position the base about 18 inches behind the chair and 6 to 12 inches to the side.
Table lamps
A table lamp is sized relative to what it sits on and who sits beside it. Two measurements matter:
Height: The bottom of the lampshade should be roughly at eye level when you are seated in the furniture beside it -- typically 60 to 66 inches from the floor to the shade bottom when measured from the seat. A lamp that is too tall places the light source in your line of sight and causes glare. A lamp that is too short provides light for the table surface but not for reading or conversation.
For a sofa end table (26 to 28 inches high), a lamp with a total height of 26 to 32 inches (base plus shade) works well. For a nightstand (24 to 26 inches high), a lamp of 24 to 28 inches total height works.
Shade diameter: The lampshade diameter should be roughly equal to the height of the lamp base. A 12-inch base needs a shade 10 to 14 inches wide. An oversized shade on a narrow base looks top-heavy; an undersized shade on a large base looks pinched.
Lampshades: material and shape
Drum shades (cylindrical) are the most modern look and provide even light distribution. Empire shades (wider at the bottom, narrower at the top) are the traditional shape and direct more light downward. Bell shades are a variation on the empire with a curved profile. All of these are practical -- the choice is stylistic.
Shade material determines how much light passes through:
- Linen and fabric: Soft, warm glow. Diffuses light well. Shows every dust particle that accumulates inside. Good for bedrooms and living rooms where warmth is the priority.
- Paper: Clean, even light diffusion. Less durable than fabric. Best in low-traffic areas.
- Metal or opaque: Directs light in one direction (typically downward for task lighting). No ambient glow. Good for desk lamps and task applications.
Bulb type and brightness
LED bulbs are the right choice for virtually all lamp applications. They run cool enough that heat is not a factor, last years without replacement, and the light quality has improved significantly -- warm white (2700K to 3000K) LEDs produce a light indistinguishable from incandescent at a fraction of the operating cost.
Brightness guide: for table lamps providing ambient light, 450 to 800 lumens per lamp is comfortable for a living room or bedroom. For reading or task lamps, 800 to 1100 lumens in the reading zone is appropriate. A single high-wattage bulb in a torchiere (1600 lumens or more) provides good overall room illumination for a medium living room.
Bedroom lighting
Bedside lamps should be at eye level when you are sitting up in bed -- 58 to 62 inches from the floor to the bottom of the shade is typical for most people. For reading in bed, a lamp with a directional shade (rather than a round globe) keeps the light focused on the book rather than illuminating the whole room, which is important if a partner is trying to sleep.
Two lamps, one on each nightstand, provide balanced light for couples and give each person independent control. A single lamp on one side creates asymmetry that most people find uncomfortable over time.
Browse our floor lamp and table lamp selection at our Mesquite showroom. We can help you figure out what height and shade size works for your specific seating setup and room dimensions.
Quality Home Furniture has served the Dallas-Fort Worth area from our Mesquite showroom since 1975. We're a family-owned business at 227 US HWY 80 E, Mesquite TX -- open Monday through Saturday 10am to 7pm and Sunday 1pm to 6pm. Call (972) 288-9322.