I am a passionate proponent of alternatives to overhead lighting.
Nearly everywhere, the fundamental principles of lighting design are disgracefully broken. Classrooms often suffer from an exclusive reliance on their integrated fluorescent lighting, (although CCSD recently made the switch to LED, which is negligibly better.) Private homes, too, are poorly lit. Few things induce a migraine quicker than entering a living room solely lit by a solitary “boob light” in the center of the ceiling. When sitting at a kitchen island, who doesn’t love to be utterly blinded by a unit of 90’s track lighting? Nothing beats looking up to see a Swiss cheese-like installation of recessed potlights (unpopular opinion but I hate them so much.)
Overhead lighting casts aggressive shadows and, when not placed on a dimmer switch, provides an aggravating incentive not to integrate any more lighting solutions into the space. This is precisely why many (particularly in Gen Z) have shifted to spending beaucoup bucks on lamps, which often emit a warmer glow than standard overhead lighting.
When shopping for lighting, it is very important to pay attention to the correlated color temperature (CCT) of the fixture or the lightbulbs the lamp will be using. Lightbulbs that have a CCT of 2000 to 3500 Kelvin are generally recommended by lighting and interior designers for homes, whereas 4000 to 7500 Kelvin bulbs are typically reserved for such exotic locales as the DMV, airport security, or a Costco.
I want to see more people integrate a thoughtful lighting plan into their spaces. I especially want people to spend their money on unique, high-quality lamps. Here are my recommendations from personal experience. The criteria include manufacturing quality, light output quality, overall style and design, and style versatility.
ZJ Art Tiffany Tortoise Lamp – 4.1 Stars
This smaller-scale lamp is ideal for any area that requires a touch of Art Nouveau whimsy, although it lends itself particularly well to more traditional styles. The antique brass finish will develop a sophisticated patina over time, and the included light bulb is LED, maintaining a very cool physical temperature. This lamp is ideal for an accent light or a nightlight, as the amount of light it provides is perfect to fill any smaller space, however these lamps are not appropriate to be the sole light source. A drawback is that there are minor cracks in the glass mosaic, although they are extremely small. It is offered in multiple glass colors; my personal favorite is teal. This lamp achieves three and a half stars in manufacturing quality, four stars in light output quality, five stars for style and design, and four stars for style versatility.
Catalina Lighting Bankers Lamp – 4.5 Stars
An American icon, bankers lamps have long been a favorite of libraries and other academic institutions, and have made their fame in Hollywood as well. This is a timeless example of one, with the classic combination of a bright brass stand and emerald green shade. The shade opens at the bottom, providing plenty of illumination onto the surface below while the emerald color softens the light at eye level. It is controlled with a pull chain in a matching brass finish, and the shade’s position is adjustable for added versatility. Ensure that when choosing a lightbulb for this lamp, it is between 2000 and 3500 Kelvin. This lamp receives four stars in manufacturing quality, four and a half stars in light output quality, five stars for style and design, and four and a half stars for style versatility.
Himalayan Salt Lamps – 4.3 Stars
Himalayan salt lamps as a lighting category are often overlooked by showrooms and designers alike. However, they are a fantastic opportunity to integrate some organic, natural texture into a space. These lamps are rather low-profile, being shorter and often skinnier than other varieties. They can come carved or in the same shape as it was when quarried, and they emit a very warm pinkish-orange glow that provides the ultimate relaxing touch to absolutely any space. Because they utilize a natural element, quarried salt, Himalayan salt lamps lend themselves to all styles, from contemporary to traditional to postmodern to craftsman, and everything in between. Mine includes a dimming switch, one of my favorite features on any light fixture. My Himalayan salt lamp receives three and a half stars in manufacturing quality, five stars in light output quality, four stars for style and design, and five stars for style versatility.
Dale Tiffany Mica Cat Lamp – 4.5 Stars
My personal favorite item on this list, this lamp is made by Dale Tiffany, a reliable designer and manufacturer of Tiffany and art glass lamps. This piece, depicting an elegant Art Deco feline figurine, is constructed of bronze and utilizes a metal shade paned with golden mica. Mica lamps gained popularity with the rise of the West Coast Arts and Crafts movement in the turn of the 20th century, and naturally lend themselves very well to the Craftsman style as well as traditional styles more broadly. Mica as a material provides the ultimate cozy atmosphere through its soft, warm, organic glow. The lightbulb used in this lamp is not of a typical size, but not difficult to find. The light output from this lamp, though undeniably high in quality, is noticeably dim and is best used as a night light or accent lamp. Dale Tiffany’s mica cat lamp receives five stars in manufacturing quality, five stars in light output quality, five stars for style and design, and three stars for style versatility.
Thrifted Lamps – 4.5 Stars
Thrifting and antiquing is the best way to upgrade a lighting scheme on a budget. It allows the lamp to be experienced in person prior to being purchased, and the prices of thrifted lamps tend to be lower than new models, perfect for taking a design risk! I thrifted a floor lamp that features a beautiful Tiffany mosaic glass and a solid cherrywood stand for the jaw-dropping price of $50. Find an antiques mall or an interesting thrift store and see what’s in stock! You may be surprised by what you find. I give my thrifted lamp four stars in manufacturing quality, five stars in light output quality, five stars for style and design, and four stars for style versatility.
Final thoughts
Ultimately, when shopping for any sort of lighting, one needs to take an array of factors into consideration. The qualities for which I judged these lamps are important to consider, but there are other factors to examine. Choose a finish that will compliment the other finishes in the room, not clash. Certain metals, like brass and bronze, go very well together. Others, like brass and chrome, do not. Also ensure that you are shopping for the space you have, not the space you want. If you want a massive lamp but, like me, are decorating a 12’ by 12’ bedroom, consider something smaller.
Lighting illuminates your space, it’s the vessel through which your personality is most intimately displayed. It is best to choose something of a higher quality that you will value for a long time.
Ultimately, your space is yours. Why not light it well?
