A table lamp should be no more than 1.5 times the height of the surface it stands on, and the shade should sit at eye level when you are seated. For a UK sofa side table at 55 to 60cm, that means a lamp 60 to 76cm tall with a shade 33 to 40cm wide.
| Surface | Typical surface height | Total lamp height | Shade diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedside table | 50 to 65 cm | 45 to 55 cm | 20 to 30 cm |
| Sofa side table | 55 to 60 cm | 60 to 76 cm | 33 to 40 cm |
| Console table | 75 to 85 cm | 55 to 70 cm | 30 to 38 cm |
| Sideboard | 80 to 90 cm | 50 to 65 cm | 28 to 35 cm |
| Desk | 73 to 76 cm | 40 to 55 cm | 25 to 30 cm |
Measure the surface first. Everything else follows from that one number.
The three rules
Rule one. A lamp should be no taller than 1.5 times the surface it stands on. A 60cm side table carries a lamp up to about 90cm. Go past that and it stops reading as a lamp on a table and starts reading as a floor lamp someone has put in an odd place.
Rule two. Sit down and look at it. If you can see the bulb, the lamp is too short or the shade is too shallow. The bottom of the shade wants to sit at your seated eye level, roughly 100 to 115cm from the floor. This test beats every ratio you will read online, because it is right for your body and your sofa rather than an average of everyone.
Rule three. The shade must be narrower than the surface. A shade that overhangs the edge looks wrong even when the height is perfect.
A note on shade width
You will find guides saying the shade diameter should be two thirds of the base height, and others saying it should equal the base height. Both are common and both are stated with confidence.
The difference is shade shape. A sloping empire shade needs a wider bottom edge than a straight drum. Aim somewhere between the two figures, then trust the bulb test.
Room by room
Sofa side tables are low, usually 55 to 60cm, so you need a lamp of 60 to 76cm. Our Amalfi Grey Round Table Lamp With Linen Shade at £162.00 is 63cm tall with a 40cm shade, which sits in the middle of that range and is a safe default if you are unsure.
Bedside tables run 50 to 65cm in most UK bedrooms, which is lower than people assume. A lamp of 45 to 55cm is right. Remember that sitting up in bed is lower than sitting on a sofa, which is why a lamp that works beside your sofa often glares in the bedroom.
Hallway consoles are tall at 75 to 85cm, so the lamp can be shorter. The Downton Antique White Lamp at £153.00 is 61cm tall and 46cm wide, so measure your console depth before ordering. If you want more presence, the Athena Stone Olpe Large Lamp at £166.50 is 71cm.
Desks sit at 73 to 76cm and you are looking down at your work, so 40 to 55cm is plenty. Anything taller puts the bulb in your peripheral vision all day.
How many lamps does a room need?
Three light sources at three different heights. Overhead, something at table height, and something low.
A well sized lamp in a room with only one other light will still feel unfinished, which is a different problem to lamp size. We covered it in our guide to styling a room that feels finished.
Bulbs
Buy 2700K, and buy the same temperature for every bulb in the room. Anything above 4000K reads as clinical and will undo a beautifully chosen lamp in a second.
This matters more in Britain than in most places. From November to February your lamps are doing most of the work, so the colour of that light is doing most of the work too.
Four of our lamps against the rules
| Lamp | Height | Shade | Best on a surface of | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downton Antique White Lamp | 61 cm | 46 cm wide | 55 to 75 cm | £153.00 |
| Amalfi Grey Round Table Lamp | 63 cm | 40 cm diameter | 50 to 70 cm | £162.00 |
| Athena Stone Olpe Large Lamp | 71 cm | Not stated | 55 to 80 cm | £166.50 |
| Tiber Large Stone Ceramic Lamp | 72 cm | Not stated | 55 to 80 cm | £166.50 |
Browse the rest of the lighting collection, and if the surface is the problem rather than the lamp, the tables collection is worth a look.
The short version
Measure the surface. Multiply by 1.5 for your maximum lamp height. Sit down and check you cannot see the bulb. Keep the shade inside the edge of the table. Buy a 2700K bulb.
Five steps, and four of them are free.
Frequently asked questions
How tall should a table lamp be next to a sofa?
Between 60 and 76cm for a typical UK side table of 55 to 60cm. The test that matters is whether you can see the bulb when seated. If you can, go taller or choose a deeper shade.
Should a lampshade be wider than the table?
No. The widest point of the shade should sit inside the footprint of the surface with a little air on each side. A shade that overhangs looks like an error even when the height is right.
How many lamps should a living room have?
Three light sources at three different heights, usually an overhead, a table lamp and a floor lamp. One ceiling light on its own makes any room look flat.
What colour temperature is best for a living room in the UK?
2700K, which is warm white. Anything above 4000K reads as clinical. Use the same temperature for every bulb in the room.