Don’t let the geometry of it all overwhelm you, though; you don’t need a degree in mathematics to determine the correct lamp height and shade size. You just need to consider the lamp’s function and know a bit about proportion.
We asked Williams and others for some general rules of thumb on figuring out the perfect size lamp for your space. Here are their suggestions.
Table lamps
- Living area side tables: A table lamp (from the base to the top of the lampshade) should be proportional to the end table, between two-thirds and 1.5 times the table height. Aim for 28 to 32 inches, says Sarah Speck, director of product strategy and partnerships at Hudson Valley Lighting Group, a wholesaler and manufacturer of lamps. Also, the lamp’s shade should not stick out beyond the table’s edge.
- Bedside tables: A bedside lamp’s size depends on your mattress height, but generally speaking, it should be one to 1.5 times the height of your nightstand. That way the bottom of the shade falls at or below eye level when you’re seated on the bed. For example, if your mattress top is 27 inches from the floor and the nightstand is 27 inches high, your lamp should be at least that tall from base to top of shade. As for diameter, make sure to leave enough room on the nightstand for your phone, alarm clock and other necessities.
- Accent tables: For entry or buffet tables, you generally want a lamp that is 24 to 32 inches tall. Target a diameter between one-third and one-half the width of the table. “I like the one-third width especially if you have a pair of lamps or a larger architectural piece on the opposite side of the table,” says Nancy Parrish, the principal designer at Nancy Parrish Interiors.
Floor Lamps
- In a living room or den: Floor lamps should be tall enough to provide sufficient lighting without overwhelming the space. Think between 58 and 64 inches from the floor.
- For reading corners or accent areas: Opt for adjustable floor lamps between 50 and 58 inches tall. This allows you to change the height, and ensures the bottom of the shade is at or just above eye level when you’re seated. That way it provides ample light for reading but keeps the glare out of your eyes.
- An “arc” floor lamp that spans 50 to 75 inches works in both tight spaces — where you can have it arch over a sofa — or in a larger space where it can have a dramatic impact, Speck says.
Shades
- Lampshades should be one-third the height of the lamp (including the base and the harp — the metal piece that holds the shade in the saddle). For example, if your lamp is 24 inches tall, the ideal shade will be about eight inches tall.
- The bottom diameter (the measurement across the bottom of the shade) should be about twice as wide as the diameter of your lamp base, says Williams. For a square or rectangular lamp base or shade, measure diagonally and use the same formula.
- For bedside lamps, the shade should be smaller than the width of the table, so you don’t knock into it, says Parrish.
- The bottom of the shade should hit right below a lamp’s mid-neck (the part of the base just below the socket) and hide the functional parts, including the socket or saddle.
- If the shade you like is too tall or too short, Speck suggests buying a harp kit that includes spacers. These are available at lamp stores and online and can change the height of the shade relative to the lamp, so it sits in the best spot. Replacing the harp is a simple DIY job.
Additional shopping tips
Don’t be deterred if you find a lamp you love but the shade doesn’t work for you. Replacing the shade is easy, and Speck says designers and homeowners mix and match all the time. Just make sure to choose a shade and harp that are appropriately sized for your lamp.
Bring room and table measurements and a tape measure while shopping. If you see a great lamp, find a table in the store that is similar in size and shape to yours, and place the lamp on it to see what it looks like, Parrish says. Do the same with floor lamps: Sit next to them in a chair that’s about the same height as what you have at home. This hands-on approach can help you visualize how the lamp will look.
