Quarantine Refresh Tip #2: Lamps
Photo by Elliott Fuerniss
When I walk into a space, my mood immediately adjusts to the ambiance of my surroundings. The first sensory perception for me is lighting. Used correctly, lighting can be a powerful tool for setting the mood and evoking certain feelings.
I have to admit, I am slightly neurotic when it comes to lighting. I have nearly all my overhead lights on dimmers and lamps in every room to set the right tone. In the morning, I love waking up to the sun’s soft daylight, opening all the curtains and blinds to let it stream in. The morning light is perfect on its own, with no overhead lighting, as it is dim and pairs perfectly with my coffee. As I start to wake up and it gets brighter outside, I start turning on overhead lights and lamps. When afternoon turns to evening, I turn on cozy table lamps and dim the overhead bulbs to transition into relaxation mode before bedtime.
Here are my favorite tips for decorating with lamps.
Use floor and table lamps to help balance overhead lighting, which can feel harsh and flat on its own. Layers of lighting add more dimension to a space.
If you have a wall filled with furniture that is similar in height, add a tall floor lamp to break up the monotony and add some variety.
To anchor a sofa within an open space, add side tables with matching table lamps. Not enough room for side tables? Place a pair of table lamps on a console behind the sofa. The repetition and balance of these lamps will help create harmony within the space.
Use lamps to add an unexpected pop of color, pattern or decorative element.
Since lamps don’t need to be expensive, I think of them as accent pieces. You can buy them, change them out, or update the lampshade for minimal investment. I love going to HomeGoods for lamps as they have a great selection and are very affordable.
#PRO-TIP Make sure all the light bulb color temperatures in each room match. You will notice a difference if some bulbs are cooler and others are warmer. Lampshades can affect this as well. However, it’s usually easy to remove and replace a shade.
These are some of our favorite table lamps of the moment.
