How To Choose The Best Size Table Top Lamps and Lampshades

Helpful tips for selecting the perfect size lamp and lampshade for living room end tables, bedroom nightstands, dining room buffets, and console tables.

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Just how tall should a table lamp be? Did you know that, depending upon the location, there are actual guidelines you should follow?

Choosing the right size lamp can make a big difference in your home’s decor and in your eyesight.

• Correct and it complements the furniture and enhances the room’s overall feel and reduces eye strain.
• Too tall or too short and it can throw off the entire room’s proportions, take away from the beauty of the overall design, and increase glare and shadows.

Where you intend to place a table lamp and the purpose it will serve will be the determining factors for the proper lamp height. 

For example, will it be a reading lamp, a bedside lamp, a buffet lamp or a lamp tucked into a small corner for creating ambience?

Let’s dig in.

How tall should a lamp be on an end table?

In a living rooms or family room, the most important thing to remember is that the height of the lamp should complement the height of the table and the seating next to it.

Sit on the sofa or chair beside the table where the lamp will be located.  Measure the distance from the table surface to your eye level.  The bottom of the lamp shade should be even or slightly below that.

Let’s apply that in real life:

• Generally, the ideal height for a lamp on an end table is between 24 to 34 inches.
• To get the right proportion, measure the height of your end table and add 24 to 34 inches. If you have a low sofa, opt for a shorter lamp; if the sofa is taller, go for a taller lamp.

Using this formula will ensure that the light source is at eye level when you’re seated, so that glare and shadows are reduced. Having conversations or watching tv will be less of a strain on your eyes as well.

How tall should a table lamp be on a nightstand?

The best rule of thumb for bedside table lamp height is to choose a lamp that is around the same height as your nightstand plus the height of your mattress.

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Here’s the formula: nightstand height + mattress thickness = the best nightstand height.

Using this formula will allow to easy access to the switch and provides the right angle of light for reading in bed without being too harsh.

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The key is to ensure the lamp is tall enough to cast light over your shoulder while you’re reading or relaxing in bed.

How tall should console table or buffet lamps be?

Buffet lamps in a dining room or on console tables can vary in height depending upon your desired look.

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Since these lamps are typically used for providing ambient light and adding a decorative touch to the room, there is no hard and fast formula to follow.

But – there are two main options for buffet lamp heights: tall lamps and small lamps.

Tall Buffet Lamps

Tall buffet lamps usually range from 32 to 36 inches in height. This height works well when you want to add vertical interest and help balance the proportions of the table and the wall behind it.

They are ideal if you have high ceilings or a large buffet table, as they draw the eye upward and make the space feel more balanced.

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Small Buffet Lamps

Smaller buffet lamps are typically around 24 to 28 inches tall. These are a good choice if you prefer a more of an accent lamp or if you have lower ceilings.

They can be used in pairs for a symmetrical arrangement, providing a softer, more intimate lighting effect.

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They work especially well if your buffet table has a lot of other decorative elements that you don’t want to overshadow.

BUT – location & purpose aren’t the only considerations.

You also need to consider the overall size of lamp in comparison to the surface it will be sitting on. 

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An out of proportion lamp might function as light source, but it can ruin a tabletop vignette and throw off the balance of an otherwise pleasingly designed room.

• A table lamp should not be any more than 1½ times taller than the surface it sits on.  Anything taller would overpower the table and appear top heavy.
• When it comes to the diameter of the lamp base,  choose one that isn’t so large around that it takes up all or most of the space on the table.  But – on the other hand, don’t choose one that’s so small it will be lost on a table either.  It’s all about striking a happy medium.

What’s the correct size lampshade?

Having the proper height lamp does you no good if you get the size of the lampshade wrong.

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Using the right size lampshade will ensure that the lamp looks proportional and provides the right amount of light. A well-fitted lampshade also helps to avoid glare and directs light where it’s needed most.

• The height of the lamp shade should equal to 65% – 80% of the lamp base height.  Or in other words, the shade should be about 1/3 of the total height.
• This diameter of the shade should be within 2″ (+ or -) of the height of the lamp base.
• The shade should completely cover the bulb and the attaching hardware at the top of the base.
• The shade should not be wider than the table it sits on.  You don’t want it extending beyond the edges of the table.

Whether you’re choosing a lamp for your living room, bedroom, or dining room, you’ll get the perfect fit if you keep these guidelines in mind.

Happy decorating, my friend!