How to choose a table lamp for a side table

A side table is small, so a lamp that is a little too big or a little too tall is obvious straight away. Here is the quick way we check before choosing one.

1. Start with the table, not the lamp

Measure the top. As a rule of thumb, keep the lamp's footprint to about a third of the surface or less, so there is still room for a book, a glass and a phone. A lamp that is wide at the base needs a larger table than one that stands on a slim foot.

2. Check the height from where you sit

When you are seated next to the table, you should not be looking straight into the light source. For a reading or sofa lamp, aim for the light to sit around eye level or a little below. Most side-table lamps land between 30 and 50 cm. Ours are:

• Cadence Slat Lamp: 28.5 cm high, 16.8 cm wide
• Dune Flow Lamp: 30.1 cm high, 13.1 cm wide
• Helix Table Lamp: 30.7 cm high, 16 cm wide
• Arc Frame Lamp: 49 cm high, 22.6 cm wide

3. Pick warm light

For an evening glow, choose a warm-white light (around 2700 K). Our fluted and slatted shades spread that light into soft bands instead of one hard spot, so the lamp looks good even when it is off and feels calm when it is on.

4. Think about the cable

The Helix, Cadence and Dune lamps run on a rechargeable LED puck, so there is no mains cable to hide and you can move them from the side table to the dinner table. The Arc runs from a 5 V USB supply. If your side table is far from a socket, this matters more than any other detail.

5. Match the shape to the room

Soft, twisting shapes like the Helix sit well next to upholstered furniture and curtains. Architectural shapes like the Cadence and Arc work against plain walls, wood and stone. If you are unsure, hold your phone up in the spot and picture the lamp: our product pages have a 3D view and a View in your space button that shows it at real size in your room.

Quick check: footprint a third of the table or less, light below eye level when you sit, warm white, and a power source that suits where the table is.