4 min readInterior designers love nothing more than playing with scale—it’s one of the easiest ways to add visual interest without a major overhaul. We’ve already seen the aesthetic impact of decorating with oversized lamps, so it’s no surprise the pendulum is swinging in the opposite direction. Enter “little lamps”: micro-sized accents popping up on surfaces in nearly every room. Think of them like stud earrings for your space; they quietly finish the look without stealing the spotlight.
So, we asked designers why this trend is taking off, and their answers may surprise you. What’s more, they share some insider secrets about styling them the right way. (Yes, there is a wrong way!) Keep scrolling to find out everything you’d need to know about bringing one of these adorable fixtures into your home. They’re hardly a heavy lift.
Let the Lamp Shine
Generally speaking, a mostly white space can be intimidating, but it also sets a very easy scene for eye-catching furniture and decor. In the above walk-in closet, for instance, the Katie Stout chair and, of course, the Carmen D’Apollonio table lamp are really the only things you see, which was Hines Collective’s intention.
“This renovation was designed to embody a mod-inspired, gallery-space-meets-space-station for our clients with an important collection of vintage and contemporary pieces,” notes interior designer Lindsey Reese. “We designed the space with functional integrated lighting, which allowed us to treat smaller fixtures as sculptural moments, like the petite lamp, a playful visual moment.”
Reese makes a very valid point: These tiny lamps cannot and should not be the primary source of light in the room—no matter how small the space may be. They’re more there for decorative purposes, so make sure you choose something fun and quirky.
Add Color
When working within a completely neutral space, adding subtle moments of color is essential. Otherwise, you end up with no real visual interest and a lack of both texture and dimension. So, when layering in color, take a page from Studio Brother John’s book.
The firm’s founder, John Canova, explains, “That vibrant pop of green felt like an instant connection to the open space and mountainside just beyond the upper windows—tying in with the ponderosa pine and wild grasses.”
What’s more, this built-in obviously can accommodate a much bigger light fixture, but Canova chose something on the smaller side because, as he says, “it’s low enough to nest perfectly between the shelves, yet impactful enough to cast an inviting glow.”
Buy Vintage
Anyone with an affinity for authentic midcentury modern probably recognizes this little globe lamp by Jacques Adnet. Lisa Berman, principal and founder of Studio Gutow, is a big fan of pieces from that time period, so she recommends incorporating them whenever possible.
“With the bed’s distinctive lines commanding attention as the room’s centerpiece, the lamp was meant to complement the architecture of the bed frame,” she says. “Its petite scale is perfectly proportioned for the sculpted stump nightstand, while the glass sphere adds just enough visual weight and interest to hold its own within the composition.”
Give Them a Job
As much as we insist small lamps are more decorative than functional, they do still offer light—even if only a small amount of diffused light. So, be sure to put little lamps in an area where they can and will serve a purpose. Here, tucked in a corner of a built-in desk, the lamp is in the right place.
Designer Zoë Feldman says, “Small lamps are a wonderful layering element. They give you the freedom to shape the light throughout the day, no dimmers required, and they instantly soften the mood.” She also adds that a small light in a bedroom is a must because it’s not as disruptive as an overhead light might be.
Double Up
Since little lamps obviously do not provide as much light as their bigger counterparts, you may want to consider snapping up two, as RA Studio’s Reineke Antvelink did in this bright green built-in.
“The idea was to light up the cabinet in a nonchalant way,” she explains. “I like little lights around the room for an intimate, cozy feeling. These lamps have a battery, so we can put them anywhere we like.” Both lamps in this pair are from Pooky.
Create a Moment
As we said, little lamps are hardly there to offer ample light; they’re more there for the vibe than they are for the function, which was exactly what Kobel + Co’s designer, Mallory Robbins, thought when she installed two charming table lamps atop what she calls a “li-bar-y.”
“These café lamps are the ultimate ‘moment maker,’ creating a warm table glow that draws you in and keeps the mood just right,” she explains.
