Table lamp height? Calling all decorators ~

[debbiec]

I've been looking on line of how to determine the proper height of a table lamp next to the sofa. We do use it to read by. The few articles I have found say "the bottom of the lampshade should be at eye level" and you should not be able to see the bulb.

 

I have one table lamp that size and to read by it is terrible. It seems more like ambiance lighting. I bought a lamp this afternoon that was taller, but the shade definitely is not at eye level, more like the top of your head.

 

The lamp is on a 24" side table, with a 23" base to the bottom of the shade/harp.

 

Is this too tall? All tags are still on and I need to know if I need to take it back. If you are a kid sitting on the sofa, yes, if you looked up, the bulb would be seen. My 6'2" husband can just barely see the bottom of the bulb. The sofe is a leather, soverstuffed thing that you kind of sink down into, which lowers you even further a tad.

 

I know this seems silly, but money is tight, a lamp purchase is a BIG deal here. The last time I bought any lamps was close to 20 years ago.

 

Thanks ~ I'm standing by with reciept in hand for a return if needed.

 

Debbie

[Janna]

I don't have a measuring tape on hand to be that specific. But I will say that I have a table lamp and matching floor lamp from Pottery Barn, similar to this. I love them and have had them for close to 10 years now.

 

In terms of seeing the bulb, I think that's going to depend on the size of your lamp shade. In my opinion, the lamp shade is what makes or breaks a lamp. We can't see the bulb when we're standing (looking at the top), or when we're sitting. If you go to that link I provided, there is a way to see the dimensions of their lamp bases and shade sizes. I would go so far as to even call PB and ask them what size shade goes best with a base closest to the size you bought.

 

Hope that helps you a little bit!

[mcconnellboys]

I can't give you measurements, but we have a sofa table behind our sofa. It is the height of the back of the sofa. They are even. We have a identical lamps setting on each corner so that we can read by them. When you sit on the sofa, the bottom of the lampshades would be at about the top of a moderate height person's head (5' 7"-5'9") if you sat straight back on the sofa. If you scooted up and turned to look at them, the bottom of the shade is at about your eye level. I can't see the bulb unless I lean over and look under the shade. Can my shorter child see the buld? I'm sure he still can. Most most adults would not be able to....

 

I think, in general, that for any standing lamp or table lamp to be used for reading, the bulb has to be able to shine down on you unencumbered by the shade. You don't just want the ambient light coming through the shade. You want the brighter, straight bulb light for reading. That means that the lamp has to be high enough so that the bare bulb can shine down over your shoulder.

 

Try your lamp at night with a book. Can you read by it (and do you have the correct wattage bulb in it?) If you can't, it's not right for this spot.....

 

Regena

[Suzanne in ABQ]

I would put function before style on this one. We bought a table lamp and a matching floor lamp from Pottery Barn that have adjustable height. I love how they look, and my dh (who sits 6 inches taller than me) can raise the height to his comfort level. I can lower it a little,and the kids can lower it even lower (though they usually don't bother). Your eyes are the important thing here, not the "proper" height .

 

The color of the shade will be important. A darker shade (that doesn't let out much light) will need to be higher. A white shade, that allows lots of light through, can be lower. But, it still might not be enough light for reading.

 

If you bought the lamp primarily for reading, then let light be your primary factor. If you bought it for ambience, then look at it in the evening. If you bought it for style, then height may matter. Function above all. :)

[Guest arisyap]

I've been looking on line of how to determine the proper height of a table lamp next to the sofa. We do use it to read by. The few articles I have found say "the bottom of the lampshade should be at eye level" and you should not be able to see the bulb.

 

I have one table lamp that size and to read by it is terrible. It seems more like ambiance lighting. I bought a lamp this afternoon that was taller, but the shade definitely is not at eye level, more like the top of your head.

 

The lamp is on a 24" side table, with a 23" base to the bottom of the shade/harp.

 

Is this too tall? All tags are still on and I need to know if I need to take it back. If you are a kid sitting on the sofa, yes, if you looked up, the bulb would be seen. My 6'2" husband can just barely see the bottom of the bulb. The sofe is a leather, soverstuffed thing that you kind of sink down into, which lowers you even further a tad.

 

I know this seems silly, but money is tight, a lamp purchase is a BIG deal here. The last time I bought any lamps was close to 20 years ago.

 

Thanks ~ I'm standing by with reciept in hand for a return if needed.

 

Debbie

 

 

 

Hi Debbie! I had the same problem before. A friend of mine said that a tabletop light fixture should be no more than 1 ½ times the height of the furnishing it sits upon. Also, the diameter of the lampshade should be no wider than the tabletop to look appropriate in the room. Unfortunately, i was not able to follow that, because I already got a new table lamp before I realize that it's size matter. Anyway, it doesn't really looks bad at all.