Desk Light FAQs

As you browse through desk lamps, you'll probably have a few questions. Any seasoned shopper will tell you that you need to get all the information you possibly can on a product before you buy in order to be satisfied. Since you will use your desk light almost every day, you will want to make sure that you find the lamp that is best for you.

Questions About Picking your Desk Light

What is the right desk lamp for me? - The right desk lamp really depends on your needs. Do you need to focus on writing or reading in one area or do you need to work on larger projects? Banker and piano lamps are great if you need light concentrated in one area, whereas you can move adjustable lamps to change light concentration and location. If you generally just need more light on your desk, a traditional or Tiffany desk light with a standard base and shade should do the trick.

What are the differences between the adjustable desk lamps? - Adjustable desk lamps can move due to one of three mechanisms on their base: a hinge, gooseneck, or a swing arm. Hinge lamps move up and down and back and forth on a two dimensional plane because of a hinge on the base and in the middle of the arm on the lamp. The segmented arm on the gooseneck is flexible so you can move your light source anywhere you choose. Swing arm lamps rotate in a circular motion off the base and usually have hinged arms as well.

What is the best desk lamp feature? - The best lamp feature depends on your needs. Adjustable arms are great for your desk if you need the convenience of moving the direction of your light often. A data port can be very handy if you are connecting and disconnecting your laptop on a regular basis. 3-way switches give you the option of turning on and off your light with your wall switch and dimmer switches allow you to control light output. You might want to consider energy efficient lights if you have a lot of employees in your office to cut down on energy bills and ease the strain on the environment.

What's the difference between a desk lamp, a table lamp, and an accent lamp? - Most desk lamps are relatively small and direct light down onto your desk to help you see your work. Tables lights usually have a shade width of 14 inches or larger. Accent lamps usually have a shade that's 9 to 14 inches wide and a base height of no taller than 24 inches.

How do I pick out a desk lamp as a gift? - There are lots of great desk lights with tons of personality and style. Decide whether the recipient of your gift would get more use out of a regular or adjustable desk light. Once that part is out of the way you can start looking for bases and shades. Check out lamps that sport their favorite team's logo or Tiffany desk lamps that reflect a more refined spirit.