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Layer lighting in your home with these stylish table lamps...
A living room table lamp offers a soft alternative to harsh overhead lights and provides the light needed for practical tasks, as well as creating a cosy atmosphere and adding a decorative touch to your space.
Although they're typically used as part of a layered ambient lighting scheme, table lamps with adjustable heads are ideal for task lighting, such as reading, writing, crafting or other work – just what you need for versatile spaces like your living room.
The best thing about table lamps is your ability to move them. 'Table lamps are a great addition to any living room as they can be moved and adjusted to use,' says Jo Plant, head of design at Pooky. 'Easily paired, they can create a lovely sense of balance and symmetry in a living room. Placed on either side of a fireplace or a sofa, they can elevate the living room by creating a welcoming and inviting feel.'
Also ideal for styling on sideboards, shelves and bookcases, the more contemporary and modern table lamp designs are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, even when not in use.
'Incorporating table lamps into your living room decor is a great way of adding pops of colour, vibrant patterns and fun textures into your home. They are the best way to portray a sense of your personality and character,' adds Jo. 'Opt for colours or patterns that elevate the look and feel of the room, and don’t be afraid to experiment – lampshades are an easy, effective and affordable way of quickly styling up your living room.'
A few things to remember: Double-check that the lampshade is included – it could turn out that you're actually only buying the lamp base, which enables you to personalise it by buying a shade separately. And remember that the lampshade should always be twice as wide as the lamp base.
On that note, shop our pick of the best table lamps for living rooms...
We love the sleek, pared-back look of this pillar table lamp. Creating a soft, ambient glow, this design fits perfectly with the quiet luxury aesthetic, thanks to its textured, shining brass finish and white silk dupion shade.
Definitely one of our favourites, we just love the pleated shade in this warming moss green colourway. Better still, it has an adjustable tilting shade.
With a curvy silhouette, this is one unique table lamp. Its lightweight look features a ribbon design that surrounds the glowing central light source. It's impressive on table tops whether switched on or off.
This mushroom-shaped table lamp is all the more appealing thanks to its gorgeous glossy brown and cream marble effect finish. Perfect for mood lighting, style this on your side table or sideboard for an atmospheric effect.
A M&S customer favourite, this small ceramic table lamp brings a touch of kitsch charm to classic interiors. The shade is designed with a scalloped edge, contrasting with the chunky checked base. Piping on the shade adds a playful finish.
We're just a little bit obsessed with this statement table lamp, which combines texture, materials and an organic shape. It's part of Reena Simon (@hyggeforhome)'s collection, exploring the beauty of charred wood, layering linen, and exposing raw hems.
With a classic design and modern colourway (plus a stylish leather-look strap), this table lamp makes for an understated yet chic addition to your living room.
A stylish, contemporary design thanks to its black ceramic base and neutral lampshade, this lamp is ideal for side tables and shelves. Plus, its classic look means it won't go out of style any time soon.
This table lamp is made from recycled glass with multicoloured fragments. The base boasts a confetti-inspired design of light pinks, sky blues and deep forest greens.
Please note: Bulb not included, though Oliver Bonas recommends pairing this with the Tala Gaia light bulb.
This stocky, jug-style table lamp has a rustic shape and a pleasing green glaze – simply lovely. Better yet, you can choose whatever shade you fancy to pair with it.
We love this exposed bulb just as much as the FSC-grade walnut base. The energy-saving bulb is designed to mimic natural light sources, dimming from cool to warm light.
Simplicity and elegance are all wrapped up in one with this contemporary lamp. A beautiful glass dome is supported by a minimalist brass frame, resulting in a unique look.
This table lamp is perfect for bringing a sleek, contemporary look to any living room. The ribbed glass base is a stylish match for the velvet shade. Lovely.
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