How to choose the right table lamp for your home
LEDSone buying guide
What a table lamp is, how to size and style one, which bulb it takes, whether you can dim it, and our favourite lamps for the living room, bedside and desk.
What is a table lamp?
The short answer
A table lamp is a freestanding light with a base, a bulb holder and, usually, a shade. It sits on a table, shelf, sideboard or bedside cabinet and plugs into a normal UK socket. There is no wiring or installation, so you can move it whenever you change the room around.
People use plenty of other names for the same thing. Depending on where it sits you may hear bedside lamp, desk lamp, accent lamp or side lamp. If you have ever asked what to call those lamps you put on a table, the answer is simply table lamps. The difference between them is mostly size, height and the way the light is directed.
A good table lamp does three jobs at once. It gives you light at the height where you actually sit, read or work. It adds a warm pool of light that makes a room feel finished. And it is a piece of decor in its own right, which is why a lamp's base, shade and finish matter as much as its bulb. You can browse the full range in our table lamps collection.
How to choose the right table lamp
The short answer
Decide what the lamp is for, measure the surface it will sit on, then match the height and shade to how you sit or lie nearby. Finish by checking the bulb fitting, the switch and the plug.
If you are wondering how to decide which table lamp to buy, work through these seven points in order. Most mistakes come from skipping the first two.
1. Purpose firstReading, working and relaxing need different light. A task lamp wants a brighter, more directed beam. A living room lamp is there to soften the room.
2. Measure the surfaceThe base should sit comfortably on the table without hanging over the edge. Leave room for a phone, a glass or a book.
3. Mind the heightA common rule of thumb is that the bottom of the shade sits near eye level when you are seated, so you see the glow and not the bare bulb.
4. Pick the shadeFabric shades diffuse light softly. Open metal cages and glass show more of the bulb and throw patterned light around the room.
5. Match the styleWarm brass and mosaic glass suit traditional or eclectic rooms. Black metal and pipe finishes suit industrial spaces. Ceramic and fabric suit minimalist ones.
6. Check the switchAn inline switch on the cable is easy to reach from a sofa or bed. A switch on the lamp body suits a desk.
7. Check the bulbLook at the socket type, maximum wattage and whether a bulb is supplied. More on this in the E27 section below.
One more tip that is easy to forget: buy the lamp for the bulb you plan to use. A warm white LED around 2700K gives the cosy light most people want in a lounge or bedroom. A cooler white suits a study.
If you like a lamp's base but want to change its look, our lampshades and easy fit shades are an inexpensive way to refresh it. For wider style ideas, see our lighting trends 2026 edit.
Best table lamps for a living room
The short answer
For a lounge, choose a lamp with a soft, decorative glow: mosaic glass for colour, antique brass for warmth or a ceramic and fabric lamp for a calm, minimalist look. Place one at each end of a sofa or on a sideboard, rather than relying on a single ceiling light.
Living rooms are where layering pays off. A ceiling light does the hard work, but table lamps give the room depth and let you set the mood in the evening. If you are looking for lounge lamp suggestions, these four are the ones we would start with.
Living room picksSee all table lamps →
Statement piece
Colourful Mosaic Glass Table Lamp, E27, Wooden Base
Shade 14.5cm high, 19cm wide. On/off switch. Bulb optional.
From £31.19
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Handcrafted
Handcrafted Globe Mosaic Table Lamp, E27, Multi-coloured Glass
Compact 18cm shade. Built-in on/off switch. Up to 60W.
From £28.89
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Warm brass
Antique Brass Table Lamp, Black Cage Design
E27 socket, up to 60W. Inline on/off switch on the cord.
From £34.99
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Minimalist
Modern Minimalist Table Lamp, Fabric Shade, Ceramic Base
E27, up to 60W. Easy-reach on/off switch. 3-year warranty.
From £19.46
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Mosaic glass lamps throw a patterned, multi-coloured glow, so one is usually enough in a room. They suit a shelf or sideboard where the light can spill onto a wall. The antique brass cage lamp is the easier choice for traditional rooms. The ceramic and fabric lamp is the quiet option if your room is already busy.
If you prefer your lighting to feel vintage rather than modern, have a look through our vintage lighting and modern lighting collections to keep the style consistent across the room.
The best table lamps in the UK: industrial and vintage styles
The short answer
The best table lamp for a UK home is one that fits your space, uses a bulb you can easily buy and plugs straight into a 3-pin socket. Industrial pipe and wire cage lamps are the most popular style in our range because they work in lounges, studies and hallways alike.
When people search for the top-rated table lamps in Britain, they are usually comparing style first and practicality second. Both matter. Every lamp below plugs into a standard UK socket and takes a common E27 LED bulb, so you are never stuck sourcing a special part. Prices start well under £20, which makes a pair affordable.
Industrial and vintage favouritesSee all table lamps →
From £17.49
Industrial Steampunk Water Pipe Table Lamp, E27
40cm tall. Four finishes: black, rustic red, brushed copper, brushed silver.
From £17.49
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6 colours
Industrial Metal Wire Cage Table Lamp, E27
85cm lamp height. Inline on/off switch. Choose with or without a bulb.
From £22.89
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Compact
Vintage Black Table Lamp, E27, On/Off Switch
27cm tall with a wood stand. UK plug cable included.
From £17.89
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Free E27 bulb
Crow Table Lamp with Free E27 Bulb
Black resin bird, 18cm high, 30cm long. Works on a desk or mounted on a wall.
From £24.89
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The steampunk water pipe lamps are our best-known style. The exposed metal pipe work looks right on a shelf, a home office desk or a hallway console, and the compact 40cm height means it never crowds a surface. The wire cage lamps are taller and give a more open, airy look, because the cage lets light escape in every direction.
Want to see more? Our plugin lighting range covers other lights that need no wiring, and our wall lights and pendant lights make good partners for a table lamp in the same room.
Bedside and reading lamps
A bedside lamp has slightly different priorities. It should be easy to switch off from bed, low enough not to dazzle you when you lie down, and gentle enough to wind down by. A fabric shade is the safest choice because it softens the light. Our wooden base and reading lamps are both designed for this job.
Bedside picksSee all table lamps →
85cm tall
Wooden Base Bedside Table Lamp, E27, On/Off Switch
Shade height 24cm. Inline on/off switch. Bulb optional.
From £22.17
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Reading
Bedside Reading Table Lamp, E27, Fabric Shade
Up to 60W. Easy-reach on/off switch. 3-year warranty.
From £19.99
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What is an E27 bulb?
The short answer
E27 is the Edison screw fitting with a 27mm diameter. The “E” stands for Edison and 27 is the width of the screw thread in millimetres. An E27 lamp base is the socket that this bulb screws into.
If you have asked what an E27 lamp base means, that is it: a round screw socket, wider than the small E14 candle fitting and different from the bayonet fitting you will find on many older British lights. Most of the table lamps on this page use an E27 socket, which is why they work with such a wide range of LED bulbs.
| Fitting | Type | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| E27 | Large screw (27mm) | Table lamps, floor lamps, pendants |
| E14 | Small screw (14mm) | Candle bulbs, chandeliers, small lamps |
| B22 | Bayonet (push and twist) | Traditional British fittings |
Always check the fitting before you buy a bulb. The lamps above are rated for a maximum of 60W, so choose an LED bulb well below that. An 8 to 10W LED gives roughly the light of an old 60W filament bulb while using a fraction of the power, which is why our energy-saving LED bulbs are the sensible default. Browse the full E27 bulb collection or all LED bulbs. For a deeper explanation, read our complete E27 bulb guide.
A practical note on what is in the box: many of our lamps are sold with or without a bulb. Check the option you have selected before checkout. The crow lamp is the exception, as it comes with a free E27 bulb. If you want to upgrade the socket or build your own lamp, our lamp holders are worth a look.
Can you dim an E27 bulb?
The short answer
Yes, but only if the bulb is labelled dimmable and the dimmer is designed for LEDs. The E27 fitting itself has nothing to do with dimming. It only describes the screw base.
People often ask whether E27 bulbs work with dimmer switches, or whether E27 lamps are compatible with dimmers. The fitting makes no difference. What matters is the bulb and the dimmer together:
- The bulb must be dimmable. A standard non-dimmable LED on a dimmer will flicker, buzz or fail early. Look for the word “dimmable” on the box.
- The dimmer must suit LEDs. Dimmers made for old filament bulbs can struggle with the low wattage of an LED. Use one rated for LED loads.
- The lamp must allow it. The table lamps in our range use a simple on/off switch, and some listings say plainly that the lamp itself is not dimmable. To dim one, fit a dimmable bulb and use a plug-in or inline dimmer designed for LEDs.
Shop our dimmable LED bulbs if you want adjustable light, or our non-dimmable LED bulbs if a simple on/off lamp is all you need. Not sure which one suits you? Our guide to dimmable vs non-dimmable LED bulbs explains the difference in plain English.
Table lamp buying checklist
Before you order, run through this list. It takes a minute and prevents most returns.
- Measure the table or shelf and compare it with the lamp's base and height.
- Decide whether you need a task light or a soft accent glow.
- Confirm the socket is E27 and the maximum wattage is 60W or higher than your bulb.
- Check whether a bulb is included, and choose a warm white LED around 2700K for living spaces.
- Choose a dimmable bulb and an LED dimmer if you want adjustable light.
- Check the switch position and cable length reach your socket from where the lamp will sit.
- Buy in pairs for bedsides and either end of a sofa, and keep the finishes consistent.
Frequently asked questions
What is a table lamp?
A table lamp is a freestanding, plug-in light with a base, a bulb holder and usually a shade, designed to sit on a table, shelf, sideboard or bedside cabinet.
What does an E27 bulb refer to?
It refers to a screw-in bulb with a 27mm Edison thread. It is the most common large screw fitting for table lamps, floor lamps and pendants.
Do E27 bulbs work with dimmer switches?
They do when the bulb is labelled dimmable and the dimmer is rated for LEDs. A non-dimmable bulb will not dim properly, whatever its fitting.
What are the top table lamps for a living room?
Mosaic glass lamps for a colourful accent, antique brass cage lamps for warmth, and ceramic and fabric lamps for a minimalist look. Place them near seating at about eye level.
What is the best way to pick out a table lamp?
Start with what it is for, then check the size of the surface, the height of the shade against your seated eye level, the bulb fitting and the switch position.
Are LEDSone table lamps suitable for UK homes?
Yes. They plug into a standard UK socket and take common E27 LED bulbs. Check each listing for the plug type, bulb option and any warranty details.
Find your table lamp
Browse the full range of plug-in table lamps, then pair yours with the right E27 LED bulb.
Shop table lamps Shop E27 bulbs →Keep exploring
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