Number of Lamps According to Room Size. A single table lamp will not adequately illuminate a large room, even with the brightest bulb regarded as safe to use. As a rule of thumb, a room of average size requires approximately four or five sources of artificial light. Keep in mind the colors of the walls when you are ready to choose a table lamp. A room with darker walls will absorb light rather than reflect it back into the space, and more than four or five light sources will probably be necessary. A dark area with one ceiling fixture and two floor lamps will likely require two table lamps to sufficiently light the space.

Height and Harmony. When selecting a table lamp, keep in mind the height of the piece of furniture where the table lighting will be displayed. A tabletop light fixture should be no more than 1 ½ times the height of the furnishing it sits upon. Also, the diameter of the lampshade should be no wider than the tabletop to look appropriate in the room. Achieve a sense of balance in the room by displaying all lamps including tabletop and floor varieties, at the same height. The shades should be designed from similar material, and the bases should be the same style to look like they belong.

Shade Considerations. Lampshades are a major consideration when it comes time to choose a new table lamp, and they are not all made to achieve the same purpose. Each style and type of fabric used to design the shades will create a different effect, and the shade for a table lamp is just as important as the style of the lamp base. When looking for decorative lighting, choose an opaque fabric shade. It will illuminate the space from ceiling to floor rather than outward for reading and completing other tasks that require light. Choose this style for looks rather than for practical purposes. For reading and for visual comfort when completing tasks requiring light, select a lampshade that diffuses light. High-quality paper or fabric shades are ideal for this purpose.