Desk Lamps

No matter whether it’s for work or play, for an adult or a child, for a stylish office or a rough-and-ready workbench, there’s a desk lamp out there for you. Shed some light on the situation by buying a desk lamp suited not only to your room and desk style but also to the activity at hand.

Desk Lamps

Desk lamp basics

First of all, you need to make sure your desk lamp’s voltage and plug are correct for your territory. Ensure your choice of online vendor sells the right lamp for your socket: you may find a wonderful lamp online, but it won’t do you much good in the United States if it has a European plug. Second, always consider the dimensions. The footprint of a desk lamp may be a good bit smaller than the lamp head – something to think about if your desk is on the small side. Similarly, the lamp’s picture only tells half the story: read the specifications carefully to see exactly how far your lamp’s neck can bend if required. Overall, though, buying a desk lamp comes down to two main things: the task at hand, and your style preference.

Jointed Desk Lamps

Types of Desk Lamps

Which desk lamp type you select determines not only how it looks, but how useful it might be. Here we’ll look at some of the basic desk lamp models, and their pros and cons. Jointed lamps: The choice of the draughtsman and the technically-minded, this is the sort of lamp you may remember from the Pixar movie logo. With a rotatable head and a jointed neck, this desk lamp can be adjusted to almost any work-related situation. Usually, though, the emphasis with a jointed lamp is on function: the form can be cold, metallic, and very businesslike. This is perfect for a work desk but perhaps less suitable as an ornamental piece. Gooseneck lamp: A flexible desk lamp, the gooseneck is not jointed but can rather be bent to an angle of your choice. Once again this is the choice of someone who wants a work desk lamp, but they can look a little bit out of place in an elegant surrounding. Still, if you want a lamp by which to work away through the night, you will not find one better. Also consider that the footprint of these small desk lamps is tiny, and that some can be screwed onto a wall or the side of a desk to take up even less space.

Gooseneck Desk Lamps

Clip-on lamp: These tiny desk lamps are similar to traditional gooseneck lamps, but even smaller, and designed with space in mind. By clipping a small desk lamp onto a wall or even the side of a desk or monitor, the user can economise on space while not skimping on light. A halogen bulb may be employed here: the light is harsh, but it’s still a space-saving option used by many. Classic upright lamp or banker’s lamp: A favourite of fancy hotels the world over, an upright lamp with a coloured or dimmed shade adds a touch of beauty to your desk. A disadvantage is a lack of customisation, but if you select the correct bulb for the case you can still work by its light quite easily. So, they may not be the most utilitarian, but with a little care and attention you can find a lamp that’s both attractive and useful. Still, they do not come recommended for technical drawing as much as they do a written assignment! Multi-necked lamps: These lamps project tree-like branches each with a bulb on the end, making for a lovely decorative desk lamp. However, you can even customise them for work by angling them a certain way.

Banker's Desk Lamps

Types of lights

Bulb Just as important as the desk lamp is your desk lamp’s bulb choice. The right bulb for the situation is imperative. Do you want some focused, hard light on a piece of graph paper, or a soft glow to set the mood for a relaxing night in? Find out which desk lamp lightbulb is right for you with a look at some options. Incandescent bulb: This is a fancy word meaning lightbulb. It’s the one you think of when a great idea pops into your head. These little dynamos are not energy-efficient and shouldn’t be overused, but they do offer a lovely soft-yellow glow that it’s hard to find repeated with other bulbs. What’s more, you can get them colored so as to produce the light that’s right for the occasion. Halogen bulb: The natural successor of the incandescent bulb, these burn less energy yet create more light: ideal for a focused lamp shining upon a certain area of your desk or even the entire room. Their light, though, is not soft and yellow, but a harder yellow that is noticably brighter. Fluorescent bulb: Fluorescent lighting conjured up two images: a neon sign or the strip lights that are the bane of office workers anywhere. But in fact a compact flourescent bulb has a lot going for it. For one thing, they are amazingly efficient, and thus although the bulbs themselves are more expensive than a traditional model, they last much, much longer. Still, when buying a fluorescent bulb for a desk lamp, be sure to buy one that doesn’t burn too brightly: a ceiling or floor lamp fluorescent bulb will strain the eyes too much. Go for a soft white bulb instead, and that should prove sufficient even for close-work.

Halogen Desk Lamps

How much should I spend on my desk lamp?

Always compare between sites to ensure you’re getting the best desk lamp discount deal, but remember that electrical items are one thing that you can’t skimp on. Shop around for a reputable dealer that offers money-back guarantees and also has a reputation for safety. In general, though, remember that when you budget for a desk lamp, you’re making an investment due to the energy and light bulb costs to come. So, go for something energy-efficient unless you have a specific reason not to: that will make sure you don’t go over your budget.