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Where Should End Table Lamps Be Placed?

It may be challenging, especially for first-time homeowners, to find places for their end table lamps and also choose which ones to buy.

After all, because lamps come in various colors and styles, some might think they can place these lamps virtually anywhere in one’s home, especially for decor and function.

A general rule of thumb is that your placement really varies on how concerned you are with where your floor and table lamps can be seen, especially in your living room.

Where Should End Table Lamps Be Placed?

An end table with a lamp attached is always a great piece to add to your home.

Reasons for Getting End Table Lamps

You might hear an argument given by most people that end tables do not really need lamps. There are ways to decorate tables without really needing a lamp at all.

Some might even argue that the end tables are already decorative pieces.

However, it does not mean that you should not get one – especially if you need extra lighting and if the lamp fits your room’s decor scheme.

If you have a living room that feels dark, then the table lamps for end tables will be a great piece of furniture for your home.

Placing End Table Lamps at Home

Given that you can place the end table lamps virtually anywhere, just note these tips that hopefully will serve as your guide.

1. Determine your room’s purpose.

Before placing your end table and lamp in a room, ask yourself, “What is this room’s purpose?”

This is basic before you execute any attempt to decorate.

If you find that the room is a reading room, then you can determine whether the end table lamp is placed near the reading chair.

Consider other room elements, too, such as where other light fixtures are placed.

2. Consider general design rules.

According to design, lamps often look best when placed on a table’s back third.

This prevents it from blocking the view of other items that may also be on the table other than the lamp and leaves more room for other items like books and drinks.

Therefore, given this consideration, place your end table lamp on either corner of the back third.

Position your table as close as possible to a seat so that it’s easily accessible and so that you can pave the way for maximum illumination.

3. Look at lamp length.

Determining the proper length of the end table lamp also helps position the lamp in the house.

You would need the lampshade within a person’s eye level. Given this consideration, place the end table lamp where you can meet this requirement.

Just also consider that the lampshade should block any harsh glare from bulbs – but not to the point that lights are dimmed too much.

If the placement of your end table lamp has a factor in this, then align the placement with ensuring these good conditions.

You might even want to buy an end table lamp with longer shades depending on the place available to you.

4. Utilize dark corners.

If dark corners in your house are your problem, then the end table lamps are perfect for those areas!

Incorporating these tables in these dark corners will help improve your home ambiance and give it the needed sparkle.

Where Should End Table Lamps Be Placed?

Note that your end table lamp need not be the sole lighting source in the room with the dark corner.

It can function as a supplementary secondary light, say to a ceiling light available.

Having multiple lights in a room also helps you move around safely and also minimizes unwanted shadows.

5. Use end table lamps to highlight art.

Another idea for end table lamp placement is installing it in areas where you wish to showcase art, such as a collectible antique or a favorite painting.

You can also place the end table lamp under a piece of wall art – like a painted canvas. The goal is to emphasize it and, at the same time, provide good lighting for your room.

The Bottom Line

Remember that there are so many other possibilities for you – ranging from styles to colors to shades – when it comes to your choice of end table lamps.

In your hands is the freedom for customizing light sources, anyway.  For styles, any boring room can benefit from end table lamps that have novel bases (bold colors, tree branches, metal sculptures).

Others also state that end table lamps might help transform your living room’s edges into a ‘softened’ space, making it more inviting.

Thus, you can add accents to your end table lamps, such as shelves, to complement them – to build the atmosphere you want for your room.

Do not underestimate the power of light in changing a space’s overall look, with placement as an efficient, time-tested strategy. Good luck!

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