Free Shipping Over $299
10% Off First Order | Code:NEW10

Your cart

Your cart is empty


Explore our range of products

table lamps for living room

Where to Place Table Lamps in the Living Room? 6 Spots & Tips

Where should a table lamp be placed in a living room? Do you want to buy table lamps for lighting in your living room, but don't know which position is appropriate?

A table lamp for the living room is a great decorative item that can instantly enhance your living room with the right location!

Today, we will start from the living room lighting needs, feng shui, and other perspectives to provide you with 6 table lamps for the living room in the best position so that the home is more comfortable and more beautiful!

1. Both Sides of the Sofa 

The sofa is a piece of furniture that every family has in their living room, and it is also the most active area. Placing table lamps on end tables on either side of the sofa can eliminate dark corners while also adding extra lighting for sofa reading.

Choose table lamps that match the color of the sofa, both single and symmetrical, and decide on the number based on the specific sofa location.

Pro Tips:

  • Table Lamp Height: The bottom of the table lamp is aligned with the arm of the sofa to avoid touching. Sitting down and sitting with your line of sight even with the bottom of the table lamp shade is the ideal height, roughly 26-30 inches.

  • Table Lamp Design: When reading needs are high, choose a table lamp with a downward opening, such as a drum or square.

  • Avoid sharp lampshades (such as triangular cones) and red lampshades, which are prone to form “fire-shaped fury” and lead to verbal abuse.

When there is no table on either side of the couch, you can opt for a floor lamp. The table lamps are placed in another location, and we will talk about another placement of table lamps - on both sides of the TV cabinet - that might work for you.

2. Both Sides of the TV Stand

Where should a lamp be placed in a living room with a TV? The main advantage is that it reduces glare from the TV screen.

By supplementing the ambient light, it balances the contrast between the bright light of the TV and the darker areas around it, reducing eyestrain. It also acts as an ambient light when watching a movie with the lights off, so it doesn't get too dark.

Pro Tips:

  • Table lamp spacing: When two table lamps are symmetrically laid out, the spacing is roughly equal to two-thirds of the width of the TV cabinet. This is in line with the golden ratio of our Western design and enhances the sense of visual stability.

  • Table lamp placement height: The bottom of the lampshade is lower than the lower edge of the TV screen, usually 20-24 inches away from the desktop, which can prevent the light from being projected onto the screen.

  • Table lamp design: avoid triangular lampshade, recommended round, square lampshade, in line with the harmonious concept of “heaven and earth”.

  • Choose a metal table lamp that can be echoed with the TV cabinet material, such as a black TV cabinet that can be equipped with a brass lamp post. Avoid red lampshades; in feng shui belongs to the over-exuberant, easily irritable.

3. Bookshelf

In the living room, bookshelves are placed on the table lamp; you can enhance the reading lighting with a lamp with fill light to avoid books due to backlighting difficult to recognize the title. Choose adjustable table lamps to make the light more flexible.

Bookshelf living room table lamps can be placed next to collectibles, art ornaments, and decorative items and immediately make your bookshelf area artistic.

Pro Tips:

  • Height: The bottom of the lampshade is flush with commonly used bookshelves, usually 12-18 inches from the desktop.

  • Spacing between lamps is ≈ 2/3 the width of the bookshelf to avoid a dark center.

  • Students/creative workers can place a green lamp next to their bookshelf, which is a wood element that can energize the mind.

4. Side Table, Storage Cabinet

A side table or storage cabinet is usually located in the corner of the living room, and placing a table lamp can illuminate the area where the main lamp provides coverage and enhance the overall brightness.


Side table lamps can become a visual focus, illuminating the corner art display area or plants. It is especially suitable for artistic lamps, such as sculptural bases and colored glass shades.

Pro Tips:

  • Height: Height of table lamp = height of side table + 1/3 (usually 22-28 inches). Lamps that are too high will be top-heavy, while those that are too low will not have enough illumination.

  • Avoid direct light on the door or bed, and table lamps should not face the mirror.

  • Wooden side tables are suitable for metal lamps, but glass side tables are not suitable for ceramic lamps; you need to add greenery to harmonize.

5. Entrance Table

An entrance table with placed lamps can add a warm atmosphere to the living room.

The entrance is the first impression of the home, and a warm-colored table lamp instantly enhances the sense of intimacy. It also makes up for the shadow area of ceiling spotlights, illuminates the table and floor, and prevents tripping.

The living room table lamp itself can be used as an entryway artwork, and we recommend a table lamp with a sculptural design.

Pro Tips:

  • Optimal height: lamp height = entry table height ±10%. Common table heights are 30-36 inches, so choose 28-40 inches for the lamp.

  • Optimal Position: The lamp should be placed on the left side of the entry table symmetrically on the left and right if space is limited.

  • Lamp base diameter ≤ one-third of table width to avoid top-heaviness.

  • Avoid red/flashing lights, and avoid lamps facing the door.

6. Coffee Table

For living room lamps, they can also be placed on the coffee table. The coffee table is the core area of the living room; table lamps can create a cozy living room atmosphere and enhance the social atmosphere.

Choosing a table lamp style with a strong design, such as a marble base and an art lampshade, can be the focal point of the living room.

However, if the coffee table is small, you should choose a small living room table lamp; anything too big will look crowded. Some specific size tips will be given below.

Pro Tips:

  • Height: table lamp height ≤ 1.5 times the height of the coffee table. If the coffee table is 18 inches high, the lamp height should not exceed 27 inches.

  • Size: Base diameter of the lamp ≤ one quarter of the width of the coffee table.

  • Feng Shui taboos: Avoid red/flashing lights and avoid table lamps that are too high and cannot exceed the line of sight of a person in a sitting position.

  • Lamp design: Choose a low center of gravity design (e.g., ceramic base) to avoid being knocked over. Wireless charging lamps can reduce the risk of tripping over cords.

A well-chosen table lamp can make a living room both cozy and full of positive energy! Regardless of where you place the table lamp, it is important to focus on the height of the lamp and size of the lamp to harmonize with the furniture in the living room in order to integrate it into the living room.

Choose a Table Lamp for the Living Room with Zowala

Placing table lamps in the living room is a simple and delicate matter, and it is easy to make the table lamps for the living room more useful by focusing on some coordination between the height, size, style, and so on.

At Zowala, we have designed a wide range of table lamps that can be matched with various living room styles. Browse now and choose the right living room table lamp for your home.

We offer a variety of discounts and offers, so feel free to contact us if you have any questions!

FAQs

Q: What if I can only put one lamp on one side of the sofa against the wall?

A: On the other side of the sofa, put a green plant and a night light to balance the energy (Feng Shui calls it “make up for the lack of corners”).

Q: Can I put a lamp on one side of the TV cabinet by the window?

A: Yes, but it needs to be placed on the opposite side of the green plant or crystal ball to balance the energy.

Q: How to match the lamp and coffee table plants?

A: Choose plants with round leaves (e.g., money tree), and avoid plants with thorns (e.g., cactus, which will form “sharp corners”).

Previous post
Next post
Back to Interior Lighting