Decorating Rules on Lamps

Proper lighting is crucial for every room in your house as it keeps the room looking warm and welcoming and can make the space seem more cheerful to help you achieve greater productivity. However, the lamps you choose should complement the aesthetic design and style of the room, or the structure and presentation of a given lamp will throw off the entire look of the room. Does this Spark an idea?

Stick to the Same Scale

Sticking to the same scale is one of the most important rules when it comes to lamps. Pairing furniture with lamps that are of an inappropriate shape and size will make the entire room seem as though the style and design are off. For example, a table lamp that is too enormous with a large lampshade next to a dainty armchair creates an inharmonious image. A big, puffy couch with tons of cushions next to a dainty glass lamp will overshadow the lamp, making it seem less visible. You don't need to use a tape measure to calculate the scale of the furniture in comparison with a given lamp; simply use your instincts.

Place Lamps Where They're Supposed to Go

This rule might sound obvious, but the faux pas of placing lamps where they don't go is a mistake far too often made and can instantly throw off the look of a room. For example, desk lamps usually have a very particular shape and scale and look completely out of place anywhere other than on a desk. Likewise, tabletop lamps, when placed on desks, can immediately overwhelm a work area unless they're miniature size tabletop lamps designed specifically for smaller accent tables. Similarly, a floor lamp looks odd in a kitchen as it belongs in places like living rooms or bedrooms.

Don't Chain Yourself to a Style

A common mistake that people make when decorating a room is the notion that the lamps have to mimic the exact same style of the furniture. For example, many believe that an art deco style couch looks best with an art deco style lamp. While such a pair will look good together, you can create an even more dynamic duo by pairing an art deco style couch with a modern black ceramic lamp or a high fashion leopard print lamp. As long as the scale of the piece of furniture and the lamp match, you most likely won't make a design mistake.