Table lamps lighting can play a major part in any interior design project. To understand their versatility, let's look at some of the different categories of lighting you should be considering, and how table lamps can play a role in each.
The first type of lighting is the most common, and that's usually referred to simply as general lighting. It is sometimes called ambient lighting, and its purpose is simply to provide general, background lighting, usually without drawing attention to itself. Any simple lamp can provide this, but there are different ways to make it effective.
The most obvious characteristic is the brightness of the light itself, as this can dictate its purpose. For example, a soft glow can work well as a basic 'mood' lighting, or it can be practical for bedside table lamps. Children often appreciate soft lighting too, as it helps them relax before going to sleep. A brighter light, on the other hand, would be more general purpose, flooding a room with light rather than creating an atmosphere. Both types have their place, and you must consider your own needs before selecting one or the other. It's also worth mentioning that some lights (such as touch table lamps) have multiple dimmer switches, so it's possible to get a model that serves several purposes.
A variation of general lighting comes from the design of the table lamp itself. This could be referred to as decorative lighting, as a combination of factors make it both a general purpose lamp, and an attractive piece of furniture too. Most obvious would be the lamp shade used, with glass crystal table lamp shades providing some beautiful effects. However, there are other alternatives too, with translucent fabric or paper shades adding a distinct touch, while fibre optic designs can produce really noticeable effects too. Finally, don't overlook the light bulbs themselves, as they are available in a variety of tones (some are even hand painted for truly decorative effects!)
Another form of decorative lighting is often called 'accent lighting'. As the name would suggest, their purpose is to simply highlight a specific area of a room. For example, a carefully placed table lamp directly under a painting can really draw attention to it.
More practical forms of lighting are also available, known as 'task lighting'. Once again, table lamps excel in this area, because they can focus a light directly where its needed. Desk lamps are a great example of this, because they can highlight a work area without allowing you to become distracted by other areas of your room. Some more specialized examples include magnifying lamps that can allow precision work to be carried out, such as model making, crafts, or studying small objects.
So although there are many different lighting requirements, you'll find that table lamps lighting is available for a variety of applications, from the practical, to the purely decorative!