Top 10 Best Table Lamps in the UK 2021 (John Lewis & Partners, Philips and More)

It’s not too difficult to find the right table lamp once you know what to look for. In this section, we’ll break everything down into several easy-to-understand steps. We’ll start with the style, before moving onto light quality and some handy extra features.

Regardless of how well it performs, if a table lamp doesn’t fit in with the rest of your room then you’ll rue the day you bought it! It hence makes sense to start by considering which style of lamp will be right for your home.

Luckily, there’s a table lamp to suit every decor. Traditional materials such as glass and wood will complement retro-themed rooms, while eye-catching designs made of metal or plastic look chic in contemporary style homes.

The level of attention that you wish your lamp to draw to itself is something to consider too. Lamps with subdued colours that match their surroundings will provide light while remaining inconspicuous. On the other hand, some people prefer a loud lamp that'll catch the eye of anyone who enters the room. Whatever your style, you'll find the right lamp on our top 10 list!

It’s not just about looking good - the purpose of a table lamp is, of course, to cast light. Everyone has a different preference on the type of light they prefer though, so read the tips below to find a glow that suits you.

Sure, a lamp’s brightness is largely due to the specifications of the bulb used, but design factors also play a huge role. Take a look at the shape of your table lamp - is the bulb concealed by a large shade or is it more exposed? 

Naturally, a lamp with a bulb that's not concealed by any type of shade will cast a brighter light across the whole room. In contrast, a lamp with a sizable shade that conceals a large part of the bulb will only cast light upon a specific area, offering less brightness to the rest of the room.

Making the right choice depends on thinking about how your new lamp will be used. Those working at a desk are likely to prefer a more concentrated light, while those who just want a general glow will be fine with a lamp placed on a coffee table in the centre of their living room.

Next, have a look at what the lamp is made from. If it's made from a translucent material, will the light have to pass through colours before it brightens your room? The answer to this question is crucial because it defines the colour of the light that your new table lamp will cast.

This is particularly the case with lamps made of glass - for example, a table lamp made of pink glass will cast a pink glow across the room. The same is true of Himalayan salt lamps, which are specifically designed for relaxation. This is perfect for creating a cosy atmosphere but perhaps not so appropriate for studying. 

Similarly, lamps with yellow or beige-coloured shades will offer a subdued glow. Again, while these are great for unwinding in front of the television in the evening, they may not be ideal for working.

If a single setting isn’t enough for you, and you want the power to adjust your lamp’s brightness and colour as you see fit, we recommend one with LED lights rather than a halogen or E27 bulb. LED lamps are often dimmable and many of them feature a variety of brightness settings, meaning you can find a glow to fit every situation.

What’s more, many LED lamps even allow you to alternate between every colour of the rainbow. We can’t be sure when you might need a bright red light, but it’s nice to have the option - just in case!

Take a look at the specifications of any electrical item, and you'll notice something called an "energy rating". Energy ratings use a grading system, going from G all the way up to A+++, to inform the buyer about how much energy an appliance consumes per hour, and therefore how energy-efficient it is.

There are two important benefits to finding a table lamp that is as energy-efficient as possible. Firstly, they're cheaper to run - less energy used means lower electricity bills! While the difference may scarcely be noticeable month by month, it'll certainly add up over a year of usage.

Reduced energy consumption is also better for the planet, as it can lead to a reduction of CO² - as long as your cheaper electricity bills don't inspire you to start using your table lamp more often!

One of the most frustrating things about owning a lovely table lamp has to be replacing the bulb. Most high-quality bulbs will last for quite a while, but when they eventually give out you’ll be required to take a trip to the local hardware store or supermarket to fork out for a new one.

Thankfully, some modern lamps use bulbs that are completely rechargeable. Rather than replace the bulb, you can simply recharge your table lamp until it's ready for use again. 

The time between charges is significantly shorter than the period that elapses between needing to buy new bulbs but, when you consider the money and effort you’ll save, it’s not a bad feature to have!

You'd be forgiven for thinking that there's only one way to turn on a lamp - in fact, modern light switches can vary quite a bit! The types available include "push" and "in-line" switches that require only a click to be activated, cords that need to be pulled, and "touch" switches which will bring light into your room when gently pressed.

For many buyers, the first thing to consider is style - a pull chord may look better with a traditionally styled lamp than an in-line switch. For others, however, functionality might be the main issue. Touch switches, for example, can be completely life-changing for arthritis sufferers who may struggle with push or pull options.

Technology is advancing at a rapid pace, so it may not surprise you to hear that many table lamps now come with a variety of fancy extra features that can make life even easier.

Some lamps can double up as a bluetooth speaker, allowing you to enjoy your favourite tunes as you bathe in their warm glow. Others can be controlled remotely via voice control or popular virtual assistants such as Alexa or Google Home, so you can turn your light off from the opposite end of the room if you're feeling lazy. The future is here!

Now you know what you’re looking for in a table lamp, it’s time to start shopping! Take a look at our top 10 list, where we’ve compiled a selection of the best table lamps currently available to buy online.

So you’ve found yourself the perfect table lamp - what better way to follow this than by purchasing a brand new table or desk upon which it can have pride of place? The buying guides below will point you towards some of the best ones around!

After reading our handy buying guide, you should now know what to look for when searching for a brand new table lamp for your home. We hope our top tips will help you find one that’ll complement your style and bring a little more light into your life!

Author: Ben Willimett