We usually think of furniture as sofas, chairs, accent tables, beds and dressers, but table lamps also fall into the category of larger furnishings that accentuate rooms by adding comfort, style and function. There are many different designs and styles of lamp bases, and there are just as many types of lampshades available to match them. Whether you’re looking for a sleek glass base to complement modern furniture, or a metal-and-wood style to adorn traditional pieces, finding the right combination is easy when shopping at discount lighting centres.
A table lamp base is the part that sits at the bottom of the lampshade and supports the bulb socket and the threaded tube, or harp. There are different materials to choose from for the base, and some come with anti-slip materials on the bottom. Some even have a built-in charging port for electronics.
The most common table lamp base is made of wood. It might be solid wood or manufactured wood, which is often made of smaller fragments of wood that are glued together. Manufactured wood is less expensive than solid wood, and it can sometimes look authentic if stained properly. Plastic is another material that can be used for a lamp base. It’s particularly suitable for novelty pieces that rely on a fun design and bright colors.
When choosing a lamp base, it’s important to consider the scale of the table it will sit on, as well as the height of the shade. A small table with a large lamp will look overdone, and a tall shade on a short base will seem top-heavy. It’s also a good idea to consider the type of light bulb you want. LED bulbs are energy-efficient and emit a soft glow, but halogen bulbs offer a brighter light that is perfect for reading or working at a desk.
Other materials can also be used for table lamp bases, including porcelain and ceramic. Porcelain is very durable and can be made into interesting shapes. It’s also often dyed in different colors to create unique looks. Some ceramics are so detailed that they are almost works of art. Resin is another flexible material that can be molded into unique shapes and then colored to create a lamp base that’s both eye-catching and functional.
