Generally speaking, Pier 1 isn’t a follow-the-rules kind of place. In fact, we’re more the rule-breaking type. But when it comes to choosing lamps, it’s easy to feel left in the dark without a little guidance. How big is too big? Which shade goes with which base? And what the heck is a CFL? Here are a few tips that could help shed some light.

Lamps & Lanterns

Lamps are like jewelry: They’re not the main act, but they can make or break it. Unlike jewelry, however, lamps also keep us from tripping over sock monkeys in the dark, doing homework by computer glow or wearing mismatched shoes. In other words, they provide light. The key is to find the ideal combination of form (looks) and function (light). Here’s how:

Determine the type of lamp you want

The possibilities are endless but for now, let’s just narrow it down to table/desk lamp, hanging lantern or floor lamp. Easy peasy.

Size, style and brightness

Based on where your lamp will live, you need to calculate three things:

Size – Lots of people make the mistake of buying a lamp without measuring the area it’s going in. This can result in a painful condition known as “Lamp Buyer’s Remorse.” Always measure first and don’t depend on your eyeballing skills. Eyeballs lie. If planning for a table lamp, measure the table height and circumference – your lamp should be no more than 1 ½ times the height of the furnishing it sits on and the lampshade shouldn’t overlap the table. Also consider weight (the lamp’s, not yours) – lighter is fine in less-traveled spots, heavier and more stable is better for areas with small children and high traffic (why children would be playing in traffic, we don’t know).

Hanging lanterns, which are actually the most romantic kind of lamps—candleholders—, should be sized appropriately for the space they’ll occupy. Choose a single large lantern, or cluster several smaller lanterns together at slightly different heights. No suspended lantern should hang lower than 1 foot above your extended arm's reach when standing (or when sitting if the lantern is over a table or other seating area).

Or go whimsical with figure lamps like our funky Yoga Frog. As long as a lamp works well with the object it sits on, you should be fine. For example, a high-tech desk lamp would be silly on great-grandma’s hand-carved Victorian parlor table. Not to mention illogical in the space-time continuum.

Brightness – Think about the primary function of your lamp: Mood lighting, reading, decoration or safety. For purely decorative lighting, you can choose an opaque fabric shade. It will illuminate the space from ceiling to floor rather than outward. For reading and other light-needy tasks (like brightening a room), select a translucent lampshade that diffuses light. High-quality paper or fabric shades are ideal for this purpose.

Style – Contemporary, Traditional, Modern and Global are just a few of the myriad choices - and Pier 1 has them all. Consider the décor of your space, but don’t obsess about being all matchy-matchy. As a rule of thumb, clear bases add less visual weight, while wood or iron bases provide texture and richness. Crystal lends a touch of glamour and painted porcelain creates a luxurious or Old World feel. Moroccan lanterns add an exotic, international feel and coordinate well with even the most domestic décor. Exhibit Lamps feature an opening at the top of a clear glass base, which allows you to place decorative objects like shells, glass beads or porcelain ABC balls inside for a customized look.

Lampshades

All our lamps come complete with their own meticulously hand-picked shades, so you could just skip this section and head for your nearest Pier 1. Each lamp is designed with the optimum base-to-shade ratio, in on-trend colors that complement all your favorite Pier 1 décor. Some of our fancier lampshades are even lined with materials like faux crocodile, silver and black damask, and silky orange fabric. Here are a few details we’ve taken care of before you even get to the store.

Proportion – Our table/desk lampshades are designed to be about 2/3 the height of the base. For floor lamps, a 4:1 ratio usually works best. The widest part of the shade is always at least ½” wider than the widest part of the base on each side and modestly covers the lamp’s harp and bulb socket. It’s just common decency.

Shaping up – A lampshade’s job is to complement the lamp (think talk-show sidekick). For rounder lamps, we select more rounded shades (drum, oval, empire, coolie, bell, etc.); for squarer bases, shades are generally more angular (square, rectangular, hexagon, pagoda). Exceptions to the rule crop up occasionally (like our fabulous Landmark Lamp). The more ornate the lamp, the simpler the shade and vice versa. Note: Pleated shades tend to look more traditional, while flat shades work well with almost any décor. (Those alluring pleats can turn and bite you on the tuchus come dusting day, so we mostly stick to smooth.)

Color – A multicolored or hand-painted Pier 1 lamp is always paired with a muted, single-color shade. For single-color lamps, it’s Katie-bar-the-door, with shades ranging from complementary colors to wild animal prints.

Bulbs

Light bulbs are something lamp shoppers often don’t give much thought to, but should. Anyone who’s ever melted a lampshade with a too-hot bulb will concur. Here’s a few bright ideas to consider before lighting up. Check the maximum wattage and bulb size requirements. Most lamps support a 60-watt bulb. A minimum of 100 watts is recommended for reading, regardless of number of bulbs. If the bulb strength isn’t indicated, gauge by the size of the shade: the smaller/narrower the shade, the lower the wattage.

Decide if you want soft, warm light (incandescent and some fluorescent) or bright, cool light (fluorescent). Typically, incandescent lamp bulbs vary from 15 to 150 watts. Compact fluorescent lamp bulbs (CFLs) range from 4 to about 39 watts. A 23-watt CFL provides the same lumen (light) output as a 100-watt incandescent bulb, but uses less wattage (electricity) and $$ (moolah).

All Pier 1 table/desk and floor lamps are designed to accommodate CFL bulbs. Each bulb will save you about $30 over its lifetime and pay for itself in about 6 months. CFLs use 75% less energy, produce 90% less heat and last about 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs (average CFL life is about 10,000 hours). They’re available in shades ranging from yellowish to white to bluish white, which allows you to customize the mood of your space.

Lamps with 3-way switches (including all Pier 1 lamps over $75) require the use of a 3-way CFL, so check the packaging to make sure that the bulb is intended for this use. Also, if using a dimmer switch, make sure to use dimmable bulbs. IMPORTANT: CFLs contain a small amount of the toxic chemical mercury, so it’s essential that they be properly recycled after use. Never toss CFLs in the trash (it’s illegal in some states). For information about recycling in your state, click here.

Finials

See for yourself

Finials are those little knobby things that fasten the shade to the top of the lamp harp. Not all lamps have them. Finials come in all shapes and sizes and are usually made of wood, glass or brass. A finial's shape may be simple and round, sculptural, or geometrically complex. All Pier 1 lamps come with their own finials, so you don’t have to worry your pretty little head. And that’s final.

Naturally, we think Pier 1 has the best lamp selection anywhere and encourage you to browse online and in-store. We think you’ll be amazed at our wide range of styles – from traditional porcelain table lamps to sleek, modern floor designs to fun and colorful hanging lanterns. But go ahead and shop around if you must. Really. It won’t hurt our feelings (much). Anyway, once you compare our lamp styles and value to others, we think you’ll see the light. Then, just come back to Pier 1 (all is forgiven), take home one of our fabulous lamps and give it a try.

If you’ve followed the advice in this article, odds are you’re loving it. But if you need to return it for any reason, just bring it back with your receipt. We won’t give you any flak, Jack.

Happy lighting!