lamps buying guide

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Contents

1 Styles
2 Lampshades
3 Let in the Light!
4 More Options
5 Related Guides

Lamps Buying Guide

There's lots of different ways to light your house or room. Varying lamp styles and sizes makes it possible for you to decorate any area with light in whichever way you choose. Lamps are great because they can be designed in almost any shape and can be as creative or as simple as you like. They are made out of all kinds of materials, including ceramic, plastic, wood, glass, iron, steel, and porcelain. So which light bulbs should you buy? There are definitely a lot of choices. Bulbs with a spiral shape tend to use less energy and last longer than your standard size bulb. When shopping around, look for words like "energy saver" on the package; these types of bulbs can last six times as long as regular bulbs and save you up to 80% energy compared to a standard light bulb.

Styles

There are five main styles to choose from when picking out your indoor lamp.

Lamps

Arm Lamps : Refer to a wall mounted lamp with an extendible "arm".

Desk Lamps : Similar to reading lamps as they provide direct illumination for doing work, and come in models that can be clipped on to a desk or bed.

Floor Lamps : Include a large variety of styles, depending on how many bulbs you want and what type of space you need to light.

Table Lamps : These are the most fun because you can add a personalised touch to them by buying a decorative lampshade or throwing fabric over the shade to create dimmer light.

Hanging Lamps : Can range from the ornate chandelier to a more simplified version like the ones above.

Lampshades

Lampshades can range in style depending on the price and design. They can be composed of materials such as glass, paper, plastic, metal or silk. Lampshades made out of harder materials tend to cost less while shades made out of glass or silk are more fragile and intricate, and therefore more expensive.

Let in the Light!

There are several ways to control your lamplight.

Dimmers : Perfect for lighting the room to your preference.
Motion Sensor : Similar to Clap On lights, they turn on when detecting motion.
Timers : Set this to turn off at a certain time of night and turn on before you get home--without wasting energy.
Touch : Control brightness without switches, just a simple touch of your fingers.

More Options

Some fun lamps for lighting or decorating purposes.

More Lamps

Asian Table Lamps : These are great because they are made from interesting and different materials like banana leaves and onyx and come in a variety of designs.

Lava Lamps : These are always be a fun way to light up your room and will provide some visual stimulation in the process.

Oil Lamps : A popular lamp for antique collectors, these provide a rustic feel and a beautiful design.

Salt Crystal Lamps : Made from hollowed out rock crystal dug from mines, they come in an assortment of shapes and are even said to improve air quality.

Tiffany Lamps : Another popular lamp for antique collectors, these might cost you a pretty penny but feature exquisite stained glass patterns and design.

Lamps

Arm Lamps : Refer to a wall mounted lamp with an extendible "arm".	Desk Lamps : Similar to reading lamps as they provide direct illumination for doing work, and come in models that can be clipped on to a desk or bed.	Floor Lamps : Include a large variety of styles, depending on how many bulbs you want and what type of space you need to light.	Table Lamps : These are the most fun because you can add a personalised touch to them by buying a decorative lampshade or throwing fabric over the shade to create dimmer light.	Hanging Lamps : Can range from the ornate chandelier to a more simplified version like the ones above.

More Lamps

Asian Table Lamps : These are great because they are made from interesting and different materials like banana leaves and onyx and come in a variety of designs.	Lava Lamps : These are always be a fun way to light up your room and will provide some visual stimulation in the process.	Oil Lamps : A popular lamp for antique collectors, these provide a rustic feel and a beautiful design.	Salt Crystal Lamps : Made from hollowed out rock crystal dug from mines, they come in an assortment of shapes and are even said to improve air quality.	Tiffany Lamps : Another popular lamp for antique collectors, these might cost you a pretty penny but feature exquisite stained glass patterns and design.