Lighting can make or break the look and feel of a room. While it’s tempting to stick to one cohesive lamp style throughout your home, mixing and matching different lamp designs, shapes and sizes can add visual interest and dimension to your space. Don’t be afraid to get creative and blend various lamp styles together for a layered, collected look.
Why Mix Lamp Styles
There are several benefits to decorating with a mix of lamp styles:
Adds Depth and Dimension
Using different shapes, sizes and silhouettes of lamps adds depth and layers to a room. A cohesive setup with matching lamps can look flat and one-dimensional. Mixing lamp styles creates visual interest and helps delineate different zones or seating areas.
Provides Contrast
Throwing in some contrasting lamp designs helps spaces feel more curated and thoughtfully composed. For example, pairing a sleek, modern floor lamp with a traditional ceramic table lamp creates an eclectic vignette.
Shows Off Your Personality
A varied lamp collection reflects your personal taste and showcases what you’re drawn to. It gives guests a better idea of your style than having cookie-cutter matching lamps.
Draws the Eye Around
Varying lamp heights attract attention to different spots in a room. Your eye naturally moves from high to low, so mixing in a tall floor lamp and short table lamps directs focus.
Offers Flexible Lighting
Having lamp diversity means you can position lighting where you most need it. Lower wattage ambient lamps plus targeted task lamps prevent dark corners.
Prevents Boredom
Who wants to walk into a space full of identical lamps lined up in a row? Using the same lamp repeatedly creates monotony. Blending lamp designs infuses rooms with energy and personality.
How to Mix Lamp Styles
Blending different lamp shapes and designs may sound tricky to pull off. Follow these tips for seamlessly mixing lamp styles with panache:
Choose a Color Palette
Picking a cohesive color scheme will make your varied lamp collection look purposeful. Are you drawn to metallic finishes? Warm wood tones? Cool colored glass bases? Focus on 2-3 color families for unity.
Repetition Brings Harmony
While you don’t want 100% matching lamps, incorporate some repetition of materials, shapes or color. For example, if you love conical lampshades, use them on a few different bases. Repeating design elements ties the look together.
Scale Wisely
When combining lamp heights and sizes, adhere to basic scale principles. Position the largest lamps first, like tall floor lamps, then medium table lamps, then small accent lamps. This creates logical visual flow.
Cluster Compatible Styles
Thoughtfully blend lamps in each vignette. For instance, pair an organic natural branch floor lamp with a circular midcentury table lamp, not a colorblock plastic lamp. Curate each mix.
Link with Lighting Layers
In addition to varied lamps, include other lighting like wall sconces, pendants and recessed cans. This strengthens the overall lighting plan so it doesn’t just seem like random lamps strewn about.
Avoid Extreme Eclecticism
While you want diversity, avoid going overly eclectic with wildly clashing styles. Keep lamps somewhat cohesive, like industrial-chic metal with modern acrylic. Extreme mishmashes look haphazard, not purposeful.
Lamp Styles to Mix and Match
Need lamp style inspiration? Here are some of the top lamp designs that pair well together in eclectic combos:
Modern + Traditional
Blending modern and traditional lamps creates an inviting juxtaposition. Try pairing a sleek acrylic orb lamp with a classic library-style base with a fabric shade. This shows you appreciate both old and new.
Organic + Geometric
The contrast of fluid, organic shapes and rigid geometric forms is captivating. For example, put a curvy natural branch floor lamp near a lamp with a square base and circular drum shade.
Colorblock + Neutrals
Vivid colorblocked or patterned lamps instantly grab attention. Balancing them with neutral creamy lamps downplays the vibrancy, so it doesn’t overwhelm.
Industrial + Rustic
Roughed-up, industrial lamps have an urban edge. Softening them with rustic touches like a ceramic base or linen shade adds cozy contrast.
Midcentury + Glass
The retro simplicity of midcentury modern pairs well with refined glass bases. The transparent material lightens up chunky retro shapes.
Metallic + Ceramic
Lustrous metallic finishes give lamps sleek contemporary appeal. Ceramic lamp bases add organic, handcrafted texture. Polished mixed with matte creates an appealing dynamic.
Lamp Styles to Avoid Mixing
While variety is great, some lamp combos just don’t jibe. Steer clear of these mismatches:
Same Lamp Everywhere
Having the same lamp style repeated in every room looks like you bought them all at once. Vary sizes, shapes, materials, etc. for unique personality in each space.
Dated Styles
Don’t mix dated lamp designs that read too trendy. For example, pairing spiky 90s wrought iron floor lamps with fuzzy faux fur bases looks stuck in the past.
Inharmonious Materials
Randomly mixing lavish materials like crystal and cheap plastic laminate looks incohesive. Stick to material combinations that make sense, like metal and glass.
Clashing Colors
Don’t pair lamps in colors that fight for attention, like an apple red ceramic lamp next to an emerald green glass lamp. Discordant colors compete instead of complement.
Theme Mismatch
Avoid total theme clashes like farmhouse cottage lamps beside sleek midcentury lamps. This looks like you couldn’t choose a cohesive aesthetic.
Overly Fussy
Intricate, frilly lamp bases with excessive ornamentation paired with modern lamps looks visually jarring. Edit overly fussy traditional lamps.
Too Trendy
Don’t mix current trendy lamps that will appear dated soon, like emoji face lamps and mermaid sequin lamps. Choose versatile classics with staying power.
Lamp Placement Tips
How you arrange mixed lamp styles also impacts how cohesive the look appears. Follow these strategic placement tips:
Anchor with Floor Lamps
Use symmetrical floor lamps on either end of a sofa to anchor the seating area. Vary the shapes for interest, like an arched floor lamp on one side, tree floor lamp on the other.
Flank with Matching Table Lamps
Create order by flanking a bed or sofa with matching table lamps. Their symmetry grounds the setup to then layer in other unique lamps.
Brighten Dark Corners
Add a bright floor or table lamp to poorly lit corners to distribute light evenly. This prevents dark unlit visual holes.
Clear Surfaces
Avoid placing lamps on every surface, which looks cluttered. Leave some surfaces like side tables lamp-free for clearing drinks and books.
Make Triangle Shape
Place floor, table and accent lamps in a triangular formation to add height variation and direct eye flow.
Avoid Blocking Windows
Don’t position floor lamps right in front of windows since they’ll block the natural light source when turned on.
Layer Bedside Lamps
Go for lamp layering on bedside tables – try a table lamp in front and accent lamp in back for dimension.
Distribute Styles
Sprinkle different lamp styles throughout a space. Don’t cluster all matching traditional lamps together, all modern lamps together. Mix it up!
Mixing Lamp Styles in Specific Rooms
Not sure how to make blended lamp styles work in certain rooms? Here are style mixing strategies for popular spaces:
Living Room
In living rooms, try pairing an organic shaped floor lamp with two matching midcentury table lamps flanking the sofa. Add a shapely glass accent lamp on the coffee table.
Bedroom
Give symmetry to bedside tables with traditional gourd lamps with linen shades, then add interest with a glass orb arc lamp in the corner.
Kitchen
For the kitchen, install matching modern metal pendent lamps over the island for uniformity, then create contrast with a retro ceramic table lamp by a breakfast nook.
Dining Room
In dining rooms, center the table with a striking modern pendant fixture, then contrast slim metal sconces on the walls with sculptural wood candelabra sconces.
Home Office
Make your home office lighting motivating with uplight desk lamps, then complete the look with inspiring accent lamps like a Robert Pattinson bust or Einstein figure lamp.
Bathroom
In bathrooms, pair modern LED flushmount ceiling fixtures for general lighting with vintage clawfoot tub accent lamps for stylish ambiance.
Nursery
Keep nursery and kids room lighting whimsical with a moon-shaped ceiling light, then mix in animal-shaped accent lamps like a giraffe table lamp.
Lamp Styles to Mix in Specific Rooms
Here are some more mix-and-match lamp style suggestions for certain rooms:
Rustic Kitchen
Iron pendant lamps over the kitchen island, woven rattan lampshade table lamp near breakfast nook seating.
Glam Dressing Room
Hollywood style light bulb framed mirror paired with a Lucite and chrome makeup vanity lamp.
Boho Bedroom
Woven floor pouf with Moroccan style lamp, macrame rope table lamp on wood nightstand.
Midcentury Den
Sculptural arc floor lamp behind sofa, spherical globe and bubble lamps on end tables.
Industrial Living Room
Cage pendant lamps over seating area, bare bulb desk lamps next to leather chairs.
Coastal Bathroom
Nautical rope pendant lamp flanked by sea shell mosaic sconces.
Retro Basement Hangout Space
Vintage neon bar sign paired with colorful retro mushroom table lamps.
Minimalist Loft
Orb pendant lamps above kitchen counter stools, sleek arc floor lamp in living area.
Styling Tips for Mixed Lamp Displays
Once you’ve selected your assortment of eclectic lamps, use these styling strategies to polish the look:
Adjust Lamp Heights
Having all lamps set at the exact same height looks uniform. Vary adjustables like floor and table lamps for dimensional interest.
Angle Floor Lamps
Turn floor lamp heads at different angles instead of pointing straight forward. This gives the look movement.
Layer Lamp Shades
Layering lamp shades creates cool shadows and dimension. Stack a rice paper shade behind a blue glass shade.
Overlap Shapes
Let lamp shades intersect for depth. Cross an oval drum shade in front of a cylinder shade.
Add Accents
Place decorative objects on or around lamp bases, like vases, trays, books or artwork for an enriched look.
Incorporate texture
Introduce different textures with lamp materials – glossy, matte, smooth, nubby, soft, hard. Varying textures adds tactile appeal.
Show More than Switch
Spotlight unique lamp details like an elegant base, finial or hardware – don’t just see the on-off switch.
Disguise Cords
Prevent a tangled cord mess by discreetly threading cords behind furniture or hiding with cord covers.
Set Timers
Have some lamps on timers or dimmers to automatically turn on at dusk for welcoming illumination.
Change Light Bulbs
Update all your bulbs to warm glowing filaments for ambient light. Stick to the same lighting color temperature.
FAQ About Mixing Lamp Styles
Some common questions about successfully blending different lamp designs:
Should you match lamps in the same room?
It’s recommended to incorporate some repetition, but matching all lamps in a space looks flat and boring. Stick to just matching pairs like bedside table lamps, not entire room sets.
How do I choose lamp styles that work together?
Choose 2-3 compatible styles that share qualities like material, color scheme or era. For example midcentury, Scandinavian and industrial all look cohesive blended.
What is the 60-30-10 rule for lighting?
This guideline states 60% of light should come from overhead ambient sources, 30% from task lighting like desk lamps, 10% from accent lighting like unique table lamps.
How many lamps should you have in a living room?
Shoot for 4-6 lamps in a living room for sufficient light distribution – a mix of floor, table, accent and wall sconces layered together.
Should floor and table lamps match or coordinate?
It looks most natural to match floor and table lamps with variation – like same color and material, but different shapes and sizes.
How do you mix modern and traditional lamps?
Pair sleek sculptural lamps like arc or orb floor lamps with softer wood and fabric based table lamps for an eclectic modern-meets-traditional blend.
Where should you position accent lighting?
Strategically place accent lamps to illuminate display areas like bookcases, desks, artwork walls or curtain nooks that need extra focused light.
Final Thoughts on Mixing Lamp Styles
Don’t be monotonous with matching lighting. Crearly you can achieve far more character and dimension by blending an assortment of lamp designs together. Learning to artfully mix different shapes, sizes, materials and eras results in layered lighting that makes any room shine.
Be bold – group that midcentury sphere lamp with a glitzy Hollywood Regency acrylic one. Put an organic twiggy lamp beside sleek metallic. The guidelines provided above like choosing a cohesive color scheme, combining compatible styles and repeating some elements will keep your eclectic lamp mixes looking curated.
It simply comes down to experimenting with creative pairings until you find magic lighting moments. Your lighting will tell a story and reflect your personality. Have fun with it and remember – mixing lamp styles brings major interest!
