When it comes to table lamps—or lighting in general, go big or go home. Nothing can throw a design off like an ill-proportioned tiny lamp. Scale is so important, and lamps (and all lighting, for that matter) need to have a presence.

The goal is create height and stand up to the furnishings. And, by the way, you may have noticed my proclivity toward gourd lamps… The most basic, simple easy way to add a jolt of color to your space.  If you are going to buy a lamp, start your collection with a gourd. I think most people are afraid of too big, so they opt for too small.  And next to a sofa, chair or bed, a 26″ lamps fades into the woodwork.

As my friend at the design center in Boston says: “Too small is wimpy, too big is statement”… But in reality, there usually isn’t a too big.  What may feel like too big is most times probably just right. For a regular sized table bedside a sofa or a bed, a lamp 30″-33″ inches is good.  Save the smaller sizes for a desk, small accent table or small scaled space. Don’t be afraid of the big guys; they are probably what you need beside you….

Images via shopcandelabra.com and shadesoflight.com.