Lamps can really add to the ambiance of a room. Think about it. Theres a certain low light with kind of a gold hue that to me is a good evening light or good for reading a book right before I go to sleep. I find that golden light very calming and soothing. I think it reminds me of my grandmothers den. On the other hand, there are big bright floor lamps that can make it seem like daylight even in the middle of the night. See what I mean?

Often we forget how much light can change a room. We turn on the lights and forget about them. Or we take those ceiling lights with the milky glass covers and just leave them, without trying a lamp or two. I used to do that. Id just use whatever light was built into a room. Then when I started decorating an office, I realized that a good lamp or two can really make a difference in how comfortable my clients feel in the room. Living room lighting sets a whole different tone from office neons. I never liked office neon lights anyway. I turned them off when I had enough light from the window to work.

Mix and match shades and bases make it easy to fit your lamp to the dcor of your room or office space. I like those black iron bases. I can put almost any shade on those and it looks good. In one office, I added handmade paper shades with pink and green petals on a cream colored paper. My furniture was black and dark pink to maroon. In the bedroom, I have a fancy boudoir lamp with beads dangling from a milky glass shade on a carved wooden base. It gives a sense of luxury to the bedroom, dont you think?

Full spectrum bulbs can help, too, if you are so inclined. Then there are colored bulbs if youre the artsy sort who wants to spice up a room with some colored lights. Whatever your tastes, there are hundreds of kinds of lamps, lampshades and bulbs to create the atmosphere you most desire in a room. Have fun with yours!