Switching out your table lamps is an easy, and relatively inexpensive, way to update the style of your living room or bedroom. New lamps can change how light is distributed throughout your room and enhance the look of existing furniture and artwork. Table lamps can also provide helpful task lighting. Trends in modern table lamp include: metals, colored glass, and dark finishes.
Materials Matter
Today’s table lamps feature durable, industrial materials, as well as light-reflecting glass. Wood and ceramic materials are not seen as often in modern designs. Instead, bronze, cast iron, and timeless glass take center stage in the materials selection for contemporary table lamps, explains Energy.gov. Retailers like Lumens offer a variety of stylish table lamps made of materials which hearken back to the industrial revolution and make nice additions to both urban and country homes. The materials also add a naturalistic touch to today’s style.
Shape Shifting
Trends in table lamps include both gracefully curving sculptural designs and geometric shapes. Urn and stick style lamps are replaced with softly curving vase bases and ribbon-like sculptures. Energy.gov notes that the geometric styles make good use of space and are well suited to smaller rooms, as are the vase style lamps. More industrial style lamps and oversized table lamps work well in large spaces.
Colors and Finishes
Rich colors and dark finishes add warmth to modern spaces. Colored glass in hues of emerald green and sapphire blue are used to add a touch of color and style to contemporary designs. Coral is another popular color choice for adding a quirky modern touch to a room, says HGTV.com. For this reason, Tiffany-style lamps are still a timelessly trendy addition to any room. Metal lamps in bronze, brushed chrome and cast iron are popular; their dark, matte finishes are a stark contrast to the dated shining bronze and silver looks. Metal lamps can even be treated to have colored hues, like cobalt blue.
Selecting Shades
A shade is almost as important to a lamp as its base. Contemporary shades are sleek and simple, says HGTV.com. The surface of shades are no longer crinkled, but are instead smooth. Drum shaped or tubular shades are very popular and go well with both streamlined and artistically sloping bases. A stick base with a drum shade can add dramatic height to a room – especially if set next to a low-backed, sleek sofa or chair. Color in shades is also popular in modern styles; black and grey are some of the most prominent shade colors, though white is still frequently used. Tapered shades are still popular and the traditional style can be added to a more modern base to give your room an eclectic feel. A tapered shade also helps to spread light over a surface, so they are well suited for table lamps used for task lighting on desks.
Practical Placement
Table lamps are an extremely versatile and stylish accessory. You can easily move table lamps from room to room, changing the look of your space quickly. Task lighting is one of the main benefits of using table lamps to illuminate your space. HGTV explains that they can be placed on side tables next to sofas and chairs, atop desks, and on bedside tables. When deciding where to place your lamps, be sure that the base of the lamp is an appropriate size for your table or desk in order to ensure stability. It is also a popular trend to add smaller table lamps in non-standard places, such as on a bar in the kitchen. The versatility of table lamps makes them an excellent purchase when looking to update your home’s décor.
According to Decoist, current table lamp trends incorporate a fusion of traditional and modern styles. Timeless colored glass remains a popular choice. Artistic touches can be added to a room with table lamps with geometric or sleekly sloping bases that maximize space while adding interest. Current color trends for lamps include rich hues of dark greens and blues as well as vibrant corals and reds; colored lamps can brighten up an otherwise neutral room. Tall lamps with drum shades are popular placed next to low profile furniture and are used to draw the eye up to highlight hanging art. Table lamps are a practical option for updating your home because they are easy to move around and therefore can be easily added to nearly any space. They provide necessary light to illuminate rooms and for performing tasks, all while adding artistic flair and personal style to a space. Although they are relatively small in comparison to furniture, the right table lamps can make a big impact on the overall look of your space.