They help you with practical tasks, cozy up the space and have decorative appeal – what’s not to love about table lamps?
A bedroom lighting scheme that doesn’t include a table lamp is unthinkable. But you already know that, which is why you’re here.
The real question is, which design is ideal for the bedroom?
All of the lamps shown below are bedroom-worthy, and the list is so wide-ranging that there’s something to suit every taste.
1. Illuminate a fungus
Of course, nobody wants to sleep next to a piece of living fungi, but the simplified silhouette of a mushroom is actually worth considering.
Mushroom-shaped table lamps are super sturdy and wonderfully curvaceous, and if you opt for one in an antique brass finish then your bedroom can also boast a touch of glam.
2. Pick a drum design
Maybe your bedroom is contemporary in its interior design, in which case the clean shape of a drum lampshade would slot in nicely.
Indeed, a cylindrical lampshade has a distinctly modern appearance, and perhaps more importantly, they provide a greater downward spread of light which is perfect for when you’re reading or studying.
3. Go back to Ancient Greece
It turns out those wonderfully ornate vessels that the Ancient Greeks used for cooking and carrying water also work amazingly well as the body of a table lamp.
And the fact they feature handles makes it a breeze to move your lamp to a different part of the bedroom as and when required.
4. Aim for global appeal
Not to be confused with those spinnable models of Earth (although, that’s not a bad idea for a lamp), a globe table lamp becomes the center of attention with its simple, spherical design.
You can’t really overstate the advantages of a lamp designed this way, as the spherical form delivers even lighting in every direction, hence why they are the lamp of choice for open spaces.
5. Help save the planet
More and more homeowners are decorating their homes with sustainable materials and you can join them with your choice of bedroom table lamp.
A lamp with a seagrass base is an excellent example of a piece that has eco-friendly credentials while the weaved pattern does wonders for the aesthetics of the space – it’s literally a win-win.
6. Fill it up
You can’t go wrong choosing a table lamp that continues to stimulate the eye when it’s switched off.
In other words, you can’t go wrong choosing a fillable glass table lamp!
Not only is it a really creative way to bring some decorativeness to the space, you can fill it with anything you like, including items that express your personality, such as seashells if you’re a beach person.
7. Streamline it
A general rule of thumb is that the more streamlined something looks, the more up-to-date it is, which is a good rule to follow in order to achieve a contemporary feel.
Linear table lamps are about as streamlined as it gets. It’s hard to say what you’ll be obsessing over most – the sleek design or the high quality LED illumination.
8. Recite the alphabet
We have all the time in the world for lamps with framed designs. The fact you can see right through them helps make tight spaces feel open and airy.
But what is the best shaped frame? Consider that A-frame table lamps are very popular in intimate spaces like the bedroom, as the way the frame comes together is in some sense romantic.
9. Make a luxurious statement
Chandeliers are typically seen dangling from the ceilings of stately homes, so to feature one on your bedside table will really get people talking.
To clarify, we’re talking about chandelier-inspired table lamps, and just because they’re small in size doesn’t mean they can’t do any heavy lifting for your bedroom’s aesthetic, especially in terms of opulence.
10. Bring disco vibes
It’s one thing when a lampshade exhibits a punchy pattern, but it’s something else entirely when said pattern creates a cool lighting effect.
That’s the thing about metal cage lamps – they’re real atmosphere creators, and should be right at the top of your list if you’re not in the market for a practical light source.
11. Go round in circles
If you love frame-style lamps, allow us to introduce you to a clever design concept whereby light emanates from the frame itself.
That’s right, circular LED lamps are all the rage because they adorn spaces with their striking yet ultra minimalist design, and that’s before we’ve even touched on the fact they will illuminate your bedroom with a warm ambience.
12. Hark back to the 80s
Trends come and go, so it was only a matter of time before pleated lampshades made a comeback after teetering on the brink of extinction at the turn of the century.
Indeed, now is the moment to bring some old-school charm into the bedroom with a pleated table lamp. After all, it’s a chance to liven up your room’s color scheme with a colorful block-printed shade.
13. Focus on adjustability
For the bookworms out there who just want the perfect spot light to enhance their night-time reading experience, look no further than Orbiter lamps.
Orbiters are highly adjustable, as the arc can be rotated 360 degrees and the straight arm offers up-and-down and side-to-side movement, meaning you get to cast light with pinpoint accuracy.
14. Double the fun
Some people don’t have the luxury of a bedroom they can call their own. And if you share a bedroom, you inevitably share other things like lighting, too.
In layouts with twin beds placed next to each other, it’s a good idea to hit two birds with one stone by inserting a double shade table lamp between them.
15. Erect a column
Many of the world’s most beloved monuments are tall, freestanding columns, often crowned with a decorative symbol or statue.
So, if you wouldn’t mind having a highly esteemed piece of decor in the bedroom, choose a table lamp with a columned body for something which brings an architectural flare.
16. Try some candlelight
Okay, it’s not strictly speaking a table lamp, but they serve the same function and do so without adding to the electricity bill!
We’re talking about candle lanterns, and some of the lantern designs out there are downright gorgeous, to the point where you won’t know if you’re walking into your bedroom or a real-life fairy tale.
17. Enjoy the best of both worlds
Don’t be fooled by the unusual upside-down look of a Flos Taccia lamp – the design is optmized for indirect and reflective lighting.
Whether you need bright lighting to help you concentrate on a task, or atmospheric lighting to help you wind down after a long day, this bedroom table lamp has got your back.
18. Triangulate
A surefire way to elevate the space is to introduce harmless drama. By that we mean throw some contrast into the mix.
For example, a triangular body with sharp angles and clean lines is at odds with a round lampshade. If your bedroom is missing that dramatic element, shop around for mixed form table lamps.
19. Get the vintage look
Items that belong to a bygone era are eye-catching by default. That’s why homeowners love hitting antique stores in search for that conversation starter.
But you needn’t break the bank to get hold of a genuine antique lamp for your nightstand – loads of manufacturers offer vintage-looking industrial pulley lamps and they really do look as though they time travelled from the past.
20. Craft it by hand
Anyone with a critical eye can spot the difference between something that’s handcrafted and something that came off a conveyor belt.
The former describes artisanal lamps in a nutshell, and there’s no question they enrich your decor like nothing else thanks to their organically shaped base and handwoven shade.
21. Add a farmhouse twist
It’s totally understandable if you don’t want to live on a farm, but decorating your home with farm-inspired decor is a trend that everybody should follow.
The farmhouse style is about embracing rustic materials to cozy up a space, as made evident by table lamps with a smoky glass body and antiqued metal detailing.
22. Show off your wares
You can always count on ceramics to up the sophistication factor in a heartbeat, which explains why ceramic lamps are as popular as they are.
Just keep in mind that some types of pottery work better as stylish light sources than others. We can’t recommend distressed versions with repeating curves highly enough if you’re looking for something with sculptural appeal.
23. Stick to tradition
Whether or not “the olden days” were better is up for debate. However, they certainly came up with some exceptional lighting designs back then.
Spotlights are synonymous with the theater, and although your bedroom is unlikely to require stage lighting, a modern spotlight table lamp is a great way to bring traditional charm to the scheme.
24. Paper clip it
Another reason to choose a framed light is that they blend seamlessly into the surroundings. This means the outline becomes the star of the show, so choose your frame wisely.
Consider that paper clip table lamps suit most people’s needs, owing to the fact they feature both straight and curved lines for a balanced aesthetic.
25. Thread it together
Perhaps you possess a natural preference. If that’s the case then a bedroom table lamp made from natural wood is the obvious choice.
Better yet, you can serve up a little more texture with a design that’s covered in a wonderful woven pattern, and nobody will be able to say you don’t have good taste in decor.
26. Rely on rattan
It seems like everyone has a cute little wicker basket in their home decor even if they’re not plagued by uncontrollable clutter, such is the beauty of rattan.
But that’s not the only accessory rattan has sunk its teeth into – rattan table lamps are illuminating nightstands up and down the land, as an increasing number of people have a go at giving their bedroom the boho look.
27. Taper it
If you’re a bit of a loose cannon and have a habit of knocking things over, fret not because we have the perfect table lamp for your bedroom.
The Obelisk Modern Table Lamp won’t topple over easily since it has a thick base that tapers out at the top of the piece. And not to mention, the gold leaf finish is shamelessly luxuriant, which is a big selling point in its own right.
28. Use a snake
Yes, a slithering serpentine just so happens to lend itself perfectly to the design of a table lamp, and what a design it is!
For a truly unique form of bedroom lighting, choose a snake table lamp. What’s more, snakes are known for their beautiful scales, so if you thought a snake lamp looked fab at a distance, wait until you get a closeup look.
29. Cut out the center
Why on earth would you insert a cutout in the body of the table lamp? Answer: because why the hell not?
On a serious note, cutouts are excellent for giving the piece some extra dimension. To achieve maximum visual impact, we suggest going with an off-center cutout, as this will please the eye with an asymmetrical effect.
30. Keep on the straight and narrow
We end this list of table lamp ideas for bedrooms with yet another framed design, and to be honest, it’s a very strong way to end.
Geometric frame lamps are a sight to behold, and really shine (excuse the pun) on their own terms. But they’re also superb for stepping up the aesthetic in a scheme that already has lots of clean, crisp lines, leaving you with a proper feast for the eyes.