Bedside Illumination: A Case for Task Lamps

Bedside Illumination: A Case for Task Lamps | Apartment Therapy window.jQuery || document.write('MainStyleDIYHomekeepingFamilyTechRenovatingShopping The KitchnMarketplaceLogin Bedside Illumination: A Case for Task Lamps In search of the perfect bedside fixture I've developed a minor obsession with task lights. Versatile and sleek, they are a great fit for the bedroom. For a little eye candy, check out this collection of bedrooms from our house tours. And if you're not convinced, read on for a few reasons why a task light might be the bedside solution you've been searching for...

Considering everything from quality of light to the size of your space, choosing a bedside fixture can be difficult. Task lights work well as a secondary light source, providing directional light, housed in a classic form. While they might not make sense in every bedroom or mesh with all aesthetic preferences, here are a few reasons why I'm loving task lamps.

You can ditch the separate shade. I've recently lamented with more than one person about the difficulties of finding the right lamp shade. Whether it's the color, shape or size that's slightly off, the perfect fixture rarely seems to be paired with quite the right shade for your space. Here's to eliminating that problem and going for a solution without a separate shade.

Flexible light is more versatile. Some days you want to set the mood with a diluted, up-light, and others you need a focused light for reading. Many of these fixtures can be manipulated to change the direction (and affect) of light in response to how the space is being used.

Sleek form, vast style options. Clad in antique brass, polished silver, or a bold hue, task lamps embody a range of styles. Whether you're looking for a fixture that's playful, sophisticated, architectural, vintage, or industrial, there's something for everyone. Furthermore, the geometric shape of the task lamp contrasts with the soft, more organic, contours of blankets and pillows, adding interest and balance to the bedroom.

A great choice for small spaces. If you're bedroom is small and your nightstand smaller, you probably don't want to consume all the available surface area with a lamp. Clip-on and wall mounted fixtures will free up the most space, but there are also some smaller table-top fixtures that fit the bill. The operable arm, allows for a less restrictive light source, even if the actual footprint of the fixture is small.

Do you have a favorite fixture to recommend? I'd love to know...

MORE TASK LIGHT RESOURCES ON APARTMENT THERAPY:
• Tasked with Color: 10 Boldly-hued Task Lamps
• Under $100: 5 Great Looking Task Lights
• Ten Classic Task Lamps
• Ten Awesome, Adjustable, Wall Mounted Task Lights
• Best Task Lamps Under $50

TOP ROW:
1. Kathryn Wiens/Amanda and Lincoln's Eclectic Modern Home
2. Hilda Grahnat/Hilda's Sunny Swedish Highrise
3. Jennifer Wray/Angela's Posh Pad
4. Ann Manubay, Dabney Frake/Susan and Ryan's Less-Is-More Farmhouse
5. Bethany Nauert/Michael and Benjamin's Modern Contemporary Apartment
BOTTOM ROW:
6. Bethany Nauert/Tommy and Todd's Bohemian Chic Collection
7. Ann DeOtte/Ann and Bart's Patiently Furnished Home
8. Kathleen Luttschyn/John's Artful Wicker Park Duplex
9. Abby Cook/Shannon and Dean Create a Contemporary Farmhouse
10. Bethany Nauert/ Savannah's Sophisticated Studio Apartment

comments01.24.12 4:30PMLindsay Tella & Kathryn WiensCategories:Style,Main,Bedroom,Space Planning,Decorating,Small Spaces,Setting Up Home,Electrical,Side Tables,Task,Table,Lighting & Fans,Interior Design,Furniture Design,Design,Vintage,Traditional,Modern,Eclectic,ShoppingComments (3)Love them! I have one on my bedside desk that doubles as a night stand and one on my rolling bar cart that doubles craft cart. Can you tell I live in a small space?

posted bymaiatweets on 01.24.12 at 05:07PM Like a lot of AT readers our bed is where we do a lot of different things (laptops, books, kindles, even the occasional craft while watching a movie) and so task lamps were pretty practical but we didnt really want to get rid of our more soft mood setting bedside lamps for harsher task lighting.

So we got 2 cheap task lamps from ikea (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10128734/). After carefully inspecting them in the store we realized they didnt need the bases, a quick trip to the hardware store for some extra supplies and we had them mounted behind the headboard in the center. The reason for this is if someone is up late reading the light points from the middle out to the side of the bed, instead of the edge pointing in, which bothers your sleeping partner a lot less! We mounted the inline on/off switches right on the back edge of the headboard too. Its very easy to reach back and switch it on or off, and even your partners if they left it on on accident without crawling across the whole bed to their night stand. Since they are flexible you can also bend them down and you cant even see them. Great $25 solution for anyone who wants to add a bit of hidden task lighting.

posted byadamwa on 01.24.12 at 05:34PM i just hung an ikea kvartal on the wall above my bed and i love it. i don't do a lot of reading at night before bed, but it's nice to have a light there that doesn't take up space on the nightstand.

posted byaprildeann on 01.24.12 at 05:59PM Post a commentComment

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