The Beauties of Lamp Light

Ever since I was an early teen, I’ve loved soft, low lighting.  Something about the ambiance, the warmth and sense of belonging that I felt just captured me.

I remember “fighting” my dad over the overhead ceiling fan light switch. He would turn it on. I would turn it off. He would then turn it on again. And so it went….  I tried repeatedly to explain the beauties of lamp light to Dad…much to no avail.

In college, I shared a very tiny, but lamp-laden dorm room with three other girls who loved the coziness.  Now, my husband and I are living in our third home…and we have lamps. Lots of lamps.

Twelve lamps to be exact.

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1.  Contemporary Sass. I bought this lamp from the high-end furniture store that I worked at for three years.  It resides in the living room.

2.  Estate Sale Lamp. The lady I worked for during my college interior design internship gave me this vintage lamp. It came from an estate sale and my boss surprised me with it as a graduation gift.

3.  TJ Maxx Loveliness. Isn’t it just perfect in the foyer?

4.  Walmart perfection.  I have two of these lamps on my piano.  I found the tassel at Hobby Lobby on clearance for only $1.50!  Score.

5.  Ridley’s nursery lamp. I picked this lamp up at Target.  I’m not crazy about the shade, but it’s working for now.  A friend picked up the little toy puppet in Germany and I just tied it on.

So, what’s the scoop on lamp light vs. harsh overhead light?

  • Lamp light is much more flattering. (Who doesn’t want to look perty?)
  • Overhead light typically is brighter, stage-like and washes out skin.
  • Lamp light doesn’t show as much dust or dirt. (Ask me how I know.)
  • Overhead light reveals too many secrets. Ha!
  • Lamp light provides a cozy, welcoming ambiance (love that word!) in a room.
  • Overhead light makes me want to run the other way…fast.

Not all overhead lights are bad.  I just don’t prefer sitting and squinting under a glaring overhead light if I don’t have to.

Of course, I love chandeliers, recessed can lights, track lighting and many other types of lighting. Installing dimmers allows lights to be adjusted for many different occasions…bright light, low light and anywhere in between.  Versatility rocks!

Gain the “cozy factor” by controlling the glow!

Here’s an example of overhead lighting done well.  This is the tray ceiling in our bedroom.  Our builder installed tube lighting in the tray.  It is w.o.n.d.e.r.f.u.l!  Combined with lamps on our nightstands, the lighting is balanced, cozy and just perfect!

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Love!

So, what about you —  Are you a lamp lover or an overhead light lover?

How many lamps live at your house?

11 Comments

  1. I love your #1 lamp! That is soooo cute! I like them all, but # 1 is my fav. I too have a love for lamps but right now most are all in storage. One of my favs base looks like a large pineapple and it is beautiful! I’m not much for matchy matchy lamps either. I like them all a little different and unique and i’m very picky about which ones i actually will buy. I have to just love it to pieces 😉

  2. I actually prefer overhead lights (for most things: cuddling in bed requires a side lamp instead). For me, the more light the better; the more of the outdoors (sunshine) I can bring inside the happier I feel in my space. I will admit to being picky about the colors of the bulbs (LOVE daylight, HATE soft yellow light); and you’re right, the versatility of a dimmer switch is absolutely wonderful!
    Elizabeth J.´s last blog post ..Draw Me Nearer!

  3. I like you love lamps. I have at least 30 lamps around my home. I purchase them at estate sales, antique shops, auctions, some even came from a new lamp store. I can’t seem to get enough of them. Doesn’t matter to me if the lamps are diffrent from each other. I purchase what I love . In the end they all work out. The warm glow of lamplight softens the dark corners of any room. I also have many overhead lights. I prefer lamplight as it makes any room one you’d like to step into if for no other reason than to look at the lamp closer………Penny

  4. I’m with you on the lamps! I do love to open the blinds and curtains during the day, as opposed to turning on lights at all. But in the afternoon and evening, I am so ready for the cozy feeling of my various lamps in every single room! 🙂
    Mandy´s last blog post ..Back to School

  5. This post is lame.. 😉 Just kidding! -had to say that because of the General Mills post. I love this, and I love lamps too! We’re in such a small house we just don’t have the space, it’s all overhead light. But I have 2 lamps in my bedroom and lurve them! They are just white, $5 cheapies from Walmart with really pretty shades from Lowes.
    Cheryl@SomewhatCrunchy´s last blog post ..Im Building Cathedrals

  6. I totally agree that lamplight provides a cozier ambiance for the room. My husband and I want to redecorate the master’s bedroom and we both prefer fun lamp shades over other kinds of dim lighting. I just hope that we’ll be able to shop for one online since we can’t go to the mall easily these days.
    Zoe Campos´s last blog post ..Rustic Wooden Birdhouses

  7. A very interesting article and yes definetley I am a lamp lover because it is easy to use and nowadays it is also kept on floors to dense up the surroundings. Lamps create an intimate space as they draw attention to the smaller areas of the room.

  8. hi there, It looks like you’ve put a lot of work into this. the article seems very informative and you presented this very well. very nice.

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