Tiffany Table Lamps Buying Guide
A table lamp is viewed at close range, so its proportions, switch position and quality of light quickly become noticeable. Start with the furniture and the job the lamp must do before choosing a favourite pattern.
Measure the table first
Record width, depth and usable surface area. The base must sit securely and the shade should not overhang so far that it is easily knocked. Leave space for everyday objects and check nearby drawers, doors, shelves and artwork.
Judge height while seated
Beside a sofa or bed, the shade should normally hide the bulb from direct view. Sit in the usual position and compare your eye level with the lower shade edge. For reading, enough light must escape beneath the shade to reach the page.
Choose the right location
A compact lamp suits a bedside table or small console. A larger design can anchor a sideboard, entrance table or living-room corner. A pair creates symmetry, but two lamps with similar height and related colours can also work together without being identical.
Consider glass colour
Pale amber, cream and green pieces tend to glow readily. Dense blue, red and purple create rich colour but may reduce useful brightness. Judge the shade both switched on and off: daylight reveals textures and metal lines that look softer at night.
Select an appropriate bulb
Compare lumens for brightness and check the fitting's cap type, maximum wattage and available space beneath the shade. Warm-white LEDs around 2700K often bring out stained-glass colours and produce less heat. If the lamp accepts several bulbs, consider their combined output.
Check controls and cable
Make sure a pull chain, lampholder switch or inline cable switch is easy to reach. The cable should reach a socket without crossing a walkway, being trapped in a drawer or hanging where it can be pulled.
Look at construction
On a hand-assembled stained-glass shade, small variations in colour, texture and solder lines are normal. The shade should nevertheless sit securely, with finished edges and no loose pieces. The base should remain stable under the shade's weight.
Practical checklist
- Table width, depth and available surface.
- Overall lamp height, shade diameter and base footprint.
- Bulb hidden from the normal seated position.
- Suitable lumens, cap type and colour temperature.
- Reachable switch and safe cable route.
- Colours that work in daylight and after dark.
Explore our Tiffany table lamps or luxury Tiffany table lamps. For detailed measuring advice, see the Tiffany lamp size guide.