Every room needs light, and lamps are the perfect way to incorporate function and design into the interior. There are several types of lamps that serve different purposes, so it’s good to know which kind does which function so you can choose the appropriate style for your space. Let’s jump into all the types of lamps you can fill your home with.
The Different Types Of Lamps:
1. Compact Fluorescent
Compact fluorescent bulbs are a smaller version of fluorescent bulbs. You may see these referred to as CFLs. CFLs and regular fluorescent bulbs are best-suited for lamps and light fixtures that don’t have dimming capabilities because dimming them can lower their lifespan.
2. Fluorescent
Fluorescent bulbs use gas discharge to create light. They’re an efficient way to light a room and generally last longer than incandescent bulbs. However, they contain toxic mercury, and if they’re turned on and off too frequently, that can shorten their lifespan.
3. Incandescent
Incandescent lights emit light when they get hot. They work well in lights that have timers or dimmers, and the unique look of the coil can be utilized as using a bare bulb as a decorative lamp.
4. LED
LED bulbs are replacing fluorescent lights in many situations. LED lights are incredibly efficient, and they’re not as hot as their predecessors, making them a safer option. LED bulbs can range from yellow to white lights, so you can choose the color you want in your home.
5. Mercury Vapor
Mercury vapor lamps are powerful and efficient and are often used to light large areas. You may not find a bedside lamp with this kind of bulb, but you could light your greenhouse or warehouse with them.
6. Metal Halide
Metal halide lamps are similar to mercury vapor lamps in terms of how it functions. The difference is that it’s about two times as efficient, making it the better choice to light up large areas. Metal halide lamps make good floodlights that would be good to use around your home.
7. Tungsten Halogen
Tungsten halogen lamps are commonly used in show biz because they make excellent spotlights. They can also be used in homes for decorative lamps since the coil used to create light looks interesting enough that a lampshade seems unnecessary.
Types of Lamp Purposes
8. Bedside
The bedside lamp is probably one of the most helpful lamp purposes. It’s often the last light we turn off at the end of the day, and they can help make a bedroom look beautiful.
9. Banker’s
Banker’s lamps were used by accountants. The lampshade made the light shine downward so books and papers could easily be read. The traditional green shades prevented eye strain and were believed to create positive emotions.
10. Desk
Desk lamps come in several shapes and sizes but are meant to light up the desk area so you can see what you’re working on. Desk lamps are typically focused downward so the light will shine on your work.
11. Floor
Floor lamps can be purely decorative or functional, although they’re often used for both purposes. Many have thin poles so they can easily fit beside a couch, but some have built-in tables.
12. Novelty
The possibilities of novelty lamps are endless. Lava lamps, animal-shaped lamps, and video game-themed lamps are just a few of the several options you’ll find in a quick search on the internet. Even a banker’s lamp could be considered a novelty if you don’t have a practical use for it.
13. Piano
Piano lamps are similar to banker’s lamps in that they’re made to shine down on the sheet music. Piano lamps are typically small and thin so the performer can see what they’re doing without lighting up the entire room.
14. Salt
Salt lamps are made with Himalayan salt and are said to have health benefits, but these claims aren’t proven. Although their benefits are up in the air, most people certainly find dim lighting calming at night, making them a good choice for a bedroom.
15. Wall Lamps
Wall lamps can be mounted on the wall to provide light to a bigger area. They can be flush up against the wall or swivel out.
Types of Lamp Styles
16. Arc
Arc lamps are highly decorative since they have a long arching curve that allows them to hang directly over a specific area. Although they’re typically floor lamps, they can also be desk or piano lamps.
17. Boom Arm
Boom arm lamps look like boom mics used in film production studios. They’re often on wheels and have 90-degree angles that can be adjusted as needed. Smaller desktop versions are available.
18. Buffet
Sometimes called a candlestick lamp, the buffet lamp is a classic lamp often used for its slender design. It doesn’t take up much space, requires a small lampshade, and can come in floor or desk lamp forms.
19. Gooseneck
Gooseneck lamps have long, slender necks that are often curved, but they can easily be adjusted to the angle you need. This style is often used as desk lamps.
20. Lava
Lava lamps are a groovy form of novelty lamp that has been appreciated on and off throughout the decades since the 1960s. The lamp has lava that glides around once it melts. Some versions may have glitter or other items floating inside.
21. Swinging Arm
The swinging arm lamp can be moved back in forth in a small area to move the light as you need. It’s good to keep around chairs or beds since the arm can’t swing out too far.
22. Tiffany
Tiffany lamps are stained glass lamps that were designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany around the year 1900. They’re still made today, but the original ones from the 20th century are now considered collectible and valuable.
23. Torchiere
Torchiere lamps are slender, and the lampshades point upward to point the light at the ceiling. They’re typically floor lamps that are good to have in dark corners.
24. Tree
Tree lamps are typically floor lamps that have three or more lightbulbs and lampshades in different places. Depending on the style of lamp, you may be able to adjust each light to point where you want it.
25. Tripod
Tripod lamps have three separate legs that hold the lampshade and bulb. The tripod style is artistic in nature since tripods are used for cameras and easels, so they’re good to use in creative spaces.