How to Choose the Right Lamp
Correct Selection Makes
All the Difference
Whenever my favorite decorating
store has a sale, you can bet I’ll
be there. My chief weakness?
Lamps. Nowadays, lamps have so
much style. There are lamps with
pretty colored gold, red, and black
shades. Lamps today also feature
all kinds of wonderful details such
as iron scroll work, delicate trims,
even crystal beading. About ten
years ago, all you could find were
ginger jar lamps. Fortunately, times
have changed, and the range of lamp
styles today is enormous. Best of all,
with all the variety today, by simply
changing lamps, you can change the
entire look of your room. But how do
you select the right lamp for a particular
place? There are two important things
to keep in mind.
Go for style and correct sizing
Try to find lamps that will compliment the style of the room, first. Obviously, a chrome lamp with black shade would look silly in a Victorian-styled room. But, Victorian doesn’t always mean stained glass or gas-lamp with globe. Anything that has color or style elements that go with your décor would be fine. The point is that you should choose a style that will fit with the style in your room so that the look is attractive and appropriate.
Next on the list is proportion. Look for lamps that are sized properly for their placement. A small lamp that’s more suitable for a counter or bookshelf will look too small and silly on a side table or as a bedside lamp, so make sure the lamp is correctly sized for the space. This is usually where I get into trouble. Recently, I purchased a beautiful, tall table lamp, and although the colors were complementary, once I got it home, I found it was too tall and dominated the painting on the wall. Lucky for me I’d purchased another lamp that was correctly sized, so I just switched them out. If you aren’t happy with the look of your lamps, don’t be afraid to exchange them for something more appropriate.
Create interest in the room with
various lamps
Rather than having all similar-looking
or sized lamps, vary your lamp styles
and sizes. This creates interest in
the room. If you have a reading chair
in the room, select a floor lamp instead
of a table lamp to create more appeal.
However, do be careful when trying to
create a “designer” look by using different
styles of lamps in the same space.
There is a trend currently of placing
different styles of lamps on either side
of the bed. Personally, I believe this
makes the room look disjointed and
haphazard. Unless you’re a skilled
designer or you can get reliable advice,
go with the same lamps for nightstands
next to the bed and for end tables in
the living room. Keeping the lamps the
same ensures you won’t make a mistake,
plus, you’ll probably feel more satisfied with the result. In these instances, similar lamps create balance and symmetry, and that makes you feel more comfortable and relaxed.
Take a look around at the lamps in your house and see if they could use some updating. Chances are, if you have the old ginger-jar standbys, it’s probably about time for a little lamp pick-me-up – and with all the great styles and designs in lamps now, you’re sure to find a lamp that you’ll love and gives your room terrific style.
© 2007 Kathryn Weber, all rights reserved
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Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Everydayclean.com Cleaning Calender, that calender that puts you in control of your home by ending the power struggle. For more information log on to http://tinyurl.com/d9rh5.
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©2001-2007 Kathryn Weber
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