Happy Monday, friends! I hope you had a great weekend! A few weeks ago I was discussing with one of my sisters about lamps and how they look in our respective homes. It got me thinking about what is the “correct” height for a lamp? So, I looked into it! Come see what I found!
I really love lighting of all kinds, especially chandeliers as you know! But lamps come a close second. For me I love vintage or unique looking lamps or something that I can turn into one. Take our bedroom lamps for example. When I bought them they were a brassy looking gold and the wiring had been removed. It looks like someone had converted them from lamps into oversized candle sticks. (Sadly, I don’t have a before picture since this was ages ago.) But, I had them rewired back into lamps, painted them black and bought these curvy lampshades. And here’s how they look now! Obviously the lamps are very tall, and I wondered if they were “too tall” for our bedroom? So, what is the correct height for a lamp? Let’s find out!
Of course the first thing I did was google the question. It seems as though there is a general consensus when it comes to lamp height. They (google & others) say that the combined height of a side table plus the height of a lamp should be no more or less than 58-64 inches high. Out of curiosity I measured mine in our bedroom. The height of my night stand is approx. 26″ high. I measured the lamp and it is 40 ¾” high from the base of the lamp to the top of the lamp shade. (The finial adds another 2 inches but that seems inconsequential.) Now I am at 66 ¾” which slightly exceeds the 64″ recommended height, but only by a hair. I’d venture to guess that these lamps are an acceptable height even if they ere on the side of tall. Plus, if YOU like it? Then it’s fine in my book!
The rule of thumb for a bedside lamp is the lamp should be approximately the same height as the night stand plus an additional 2-3 inches. Obviously, my lamps are quite a bit taller (14″ or so) but that doesn’t bother me. I just wanted to give you the “official” measurements, but again, if you love it, go with it! In my case, we have vaulted ceilings and a four poster, king-size bed so in my mind the scale of the lamps matches our room. (I could be wrong, but don’t tell me.)
I think home decor is a very personal thing. If something speaks to you, go with your instincts! The other rule of thumb in decorating is that every room needs a little something black. So there you go~Black lamps!
Do you feel like your lamps are too tall or too short? Or just right, Goldilocks? Check back tomorrow for some ideas on how to make the scale of your lamps fit your room! Have a great day and I’ll see you back here soon! xoxo Dell
