Appropriate desk lamps are important accessories for your office, study room or library. Not only are desk lamps functional, but they also help create work-friendly lighting and can protect your eyes against strain and fatigue.  Make sure to choose a lamp that is the perfect balance of form and function, and one that is right for your tasks.

3 Simple Steps to Finding What You're Looking For In A Lamp:

Step One:   Location, location, location!
The first step might seem a bit obvious, but it is essential to the lamp buying process. Where is the lamp going to be used in your house? This helps to narrow down your requirements so that you can look for a more specific style or type of light. Not only should you determine the room, but the location in the room where you want the lamp to be placed.

Step Two:   What can your lamp do for you?
Function is one of the main aspects of a lamp. Task lighting: What purpose is this task lamp going to fulfill? This takes care of the needs and requirements of the lamp. Are you going to be reading or doing activities that require a clean and bright source of light, or are you looking to simply accent a piece of art?

Step Three:   Set the Mood...
What is the mood of the room? You’ll want to find a lamp that fits in and cooperates with your room's existin decor. For instance, you wouldn’t want to put a desk lamp suitable for an office in your bedroom. Look at the colors currently used in the room (or the colors you plan on remodeling with). If the room's purpose is more for relaxation, then you might want to choose a lamp that has 3-way lighting so that you can adjust the levels of illumination.

Popular Desk and Task Lamp Styles
Desk lamps are available in a wide variety of styles to complement different styles of indoor decor. However, desk lamps can be broadly categorized into two styles – traditional and contemporary.

• Traditional style desk lamps include piano desk lamps, banker desk lamps and pharmacy-style desk lamps.
• Contemporary styles include desk lamps crafted from polished metals with sleek, streamlined designs.
• Swing-arm style desk lamps that easily adjust to focus light on your particular activity are also sought-after, especially for tasks such as needlework which require excellent illumination.

Wattage and Bulb Tips:
A desk lamp is usually meant to provide illumination for close activities like studying, reading, and table hobbies. Ensure that the light capacity of the lamp is as per its intended usage. Reading lamps are normally of a lower wattage than hobby and activity lamps which provide a brighter light. Also, keep in mind that the lamp needs to be accommodated upon the desk, meaning that the size of the lamp should ideally be in some proportion to the desk or table where you plan to place it.

Ensure that the base of the bulb is not visible when you view the lamp from a distance. A visible bulb or portion of the bulb will create a glare that will irritate you forever!

Swiveled or Fixed Shade?
Desk lamps can be of the swivel head type or the fixed shade type. The fixed shade lamps have a shade portion that it usually fixed on a straight arm above the bulb and base unit. Such lamps do not allow for directional control of the light. The swivel-head type of lamp will normally have an adjustable front shade portion that usually swivels along the horizontal and the vertical axis, and allows you to control the direction of the light source. The adjustable variety is good for reading, or for use by multiple people of different sizes as it allows each individual to control the height of the lamp.  However, a fixed shade will require less positioning, and will always be shining where you want.

Choose a Lamp Design to Fit Your Lifestyle!
Adjustable Arm Desk Lamps
Many people who use desk lamps need to adjust them as they work. A classic example would be artists and architects who work with large drawing boards, wanting to move the light to shift focus from one area to another. Many desk lamps appropriate for this need have a jointed arm, which allows one to move the light source closer to or farther away from the table.

Gooseneck Desk Lamps
Gooseneck lamps have a curved "neck" that is designed to be twisted up, down, or side-to-side. The neck is even flexible enough to turn the lamp upside down, so that it shines upward like a torchiere. This type of lamp is extremely useful and aesthetically pleasing.

Banker's Desk Lamps
A banker needs a strong focused light to illuminate accounting ledgers. The banker’s desk lamp has a rectangular shade, which creates a book-shaped light pool. These desk lamps have a strong nostalgic feel. The classic bankers desk lamp has a dark green glass shade, with a gold pull chain.

Piano Lamps
Piano desk lamps have the same general shape as banker’s desk lamps. However, they tend to have more gracefully curved shades. These shades are usually made from metal rather than glass, as a piano desk lamp might need to be moved or adjusted more often.

Clamp & Clip-On Desk Lamps
Clamp desk lamps are designed to clamp onto the edge of a worktable, drawing board, or desk. This helps keep the work area clear by minimizing the space taken up by the lamp base. Clip-On lamps are wonderfully useful. The clip makes it easy to attach the lamp to the edge of a desk, or the headboard of a bed, or any kind of shelf. These lights are usually very lightweight, small, and are a good way to bring in a little extra light when and where you need it most.

Adjustable Head & Tree Desk Lamps
Adjustable head lamps are designed with function in mind.  While the base generally stays in place, the lamp heads are as versatile as the tasks they illuminate, allowing you to direct them downward as spotlights or up for more of an ambient lighting feel.  Adjustable Head Lamps that feature more than one head are known as Tree Desk Lamps.
 
Arts & Crafts Task Lamp
Task lamps are designed specifically for individual Arts & Crafts project needs.  A common theme with this design are movable heads, clamp-on bases, and lightweight structures.  Many items include magnifying, clipping, and storage features.  There are also models designed specially for needlepoint and jewelry work.

Decorative Desk Lamps
Decorative lamps are designed with form over function, accenting and complementing the other furniture in your home, while providing light and warmth to the décor.  Often adorned with elegant matching fabric shades and ornamental accents.

Glass & Tiffany Desk Lamps
Although they are not designed for a specific task and they have no distinctive shape, Tiffany-style desk lamps deserve their own category. These lamps are based on the designs of Louis Comfort Tiffany, who created unique stained glass or favrile glass lamps at the beginning of the 20th century.

Magnifier Desk Lamp
Magnifying desk lamps can reduce eyestrain and fatigue, especially if you enjoy reading, elaborate embroidery, intricate miniature painting, or similar hobbies that require detailed work. These desk lamps make even the smallest objects appear larger, significantly reducing eyestrain and even speeding up your activity.

Organizer Desk Lamps
Organizer desk lamps incorporate small pockets on the base for paper clips, stamps, pens, and other small office tools.

iPod Lamps
iPod Desk Lamps are an easy way to incorporate the music and media you enjoy all day with your work desk or bedside table.  Not only do they provide adequate reading light at night, there is a tiny speaker located at the base so that you will be able to enjoy your favorite tunes while catching up on your work or reading. Many models play and charge your MP3 player at the same time. It is the perfect accessory for a desk that's in need of lighting and/or music!

The Perfect Balance of Form and Function
Desk lamps are extremely helpful as they direct light right onto your work surface. Make sure to choose a lamp that is the perfect balance of form and function for your needs.  Whether you are updating personal finances, surfing the Internet, working from home, or reading a book, desk lamps can give you that additional light when and where you need it.