How Tall Should Table Lamps Be & How to Choose the Right One for Your Space
Lamp size matters.
Getting your lighting right is the best way to establish the ambience you are looking for. You’d be surprised how off-kilter the wrong-sized table lamp can make an entire room feel. Avoid making this common mistake by learning exactly how tall a table lamp should be for your space.
You can find lamps anywhere from under 12" tall to over 32" tall, making it possible to complement any space. Here, we’ll introduce the typical table lamp heights and where in the home they typically work best.
- Small: Mini- to small-sized lamps are great for nightstands and smaller side tables in seating areas. Mini lamps are under 12" tall, while small lamps fall between 12"–21" tall.
Tip!
Looking for a small lamp to place on your nightstand? Check out our Best Bedside Lamps for the perfect fit.
- Medium: Medium lamps are great for larger nightstands or side tables in your living room. They provide a bit more light for the room and aren’t overwhelming when placed on smaller tables. Medium-sized lamps are between 22"-27" tall.
- Tall: Tall and extra-tall lamps are great statement pieces. They provide ample supplemental light to any room but should be placed on bigger surfaces like a console table in your foyer, dining room, or living room. They also work on top of a wardrobe in your bedroom or walk-in closet. Tall lamps are 28"-31" tall, while any table lamp over 32" is considered extra-tall.
Now that you know typical table lamp heights, it’s time to assess the space you’re looking to light. Follow these three essential tips to pick the perfect lamp for your surface!
- 1. Base Lamp Height off of Table Height Consider the height of the table or surface you’re going to use when choosing your table lamp. If you choose a lamp that’s too tall, it can make the table feel top-heavy or cluttered and will look out of place. The rule of thumb is to avoid choosing a lamp that is any taller than 1.5 times the height of the table it is going to be placed on. While there is technically no minimum lamp height based on the table size, use your judgment and make sure the lamp is big enough to provide the amount of light you want and is not so small that it will get covered or lost in clutter.
- 2. Consider Eye Level: When choosing a lamp for a side table or nightstand, first try to determine approximately where your line of sight will be when sitting near the lamp. You will want the bottom of the lamp shade to be no higher than eye level to prevent the light shining in your eyes when you are sitting on the couch next to your table lamp, or lying down in bed. This is why mini or small lamps are usually best for nightstands, but it will depend on the height of your surface as well.
- 3. Make Sure Your Lamp & Shade Are Proportionate: If your lamp shade is too big or too small for your lamp, it can cause things to look off and also impact how much light you’ll get from your lamp. The gold standard is for the lamp shade to be no more than ⅓ of the entire lamp height, however if this is slightly off, it should still look okay. Use this standard along with your own judgment to pick the perfect ratio.
Tip!
Get more help with choosing the right lamp shade with out helpful guides on How to Measure Lamp Shades, Types of Lamp Shades, and Lamp Shade Styles.
