Contemporary Lamps 

Contemporary lamps are much more than simple functional fixtures that provide illumination for a room or space.  Actually, the right light fixtures can more dramatically enhance a space than any other feature one could add to a room.  Proper illumination is not only vital to help us see the things around us and perform tasks—it also plays a critical role in our mood.  Too much illumination causes glare and tends to elevate stress levels and make people edgy or nervous.  Too little lighting, however, may cause eye strain, headaches, poor performance—and ultimately contribute to depression if subjected to prolonged exposure.  But not only does the illumination itself influence our moods, so too does the fixture(s) producing the lighting. 

Contemporary lamps and fixtures tend to feature designs with simple lines, geometric shapes, and metallic accents made from nickel, brass, and stainless steel.  These seemingly simple designs are meant to “blend-in” with the overall flow of the space.  However, there are contemporary fixtures with a high degree of artistic flare featuring abstract shapes and concepts.  Whereas traditional light fixtures might be considered ornate, contemporary table lamps and fixtures are more likely to be viewed as simple, elegant, and refined. 

Functionally, contemporary table lamps and light fixtures will provide adequate illumination if the lighting scheme is balanced and you have done your homework.  The overall illumination a space needs is roughly equivalent to the square footage multiplied by 1.5.  So, a 20X20 living room would require 600 Watts of illumination (400 X 1.5Watts).  

However, you never want all of your illumination to come from a single source even if they are available with sufficient capacity.  In a room requiring 600 Watts of illumination, you might opt for a contemporary flush mount ceiling fixture producing 300 watts of ambient illumination.  Then, for additional task lighting for reading and to provide a complement to the ceiling fixture, you might use a pair of accentuating (made in the same style and finish) table lamps with 100 watts each.  Finally, to reach your goal of 600 Watts of overall illumination, you might opt for some wall sconces or track lighting to serve as accent lighting. 

Getting the balance right between the functional and the aesthetic is never easy when talking about light fixtures of any kind.  However, with a contemporary table lamp and other light fixtures, the wide array of styles, finishes, and materials make it easy to find that balance.  However, before shopping for the perfect contemporary fixtures for any space, always be sure to measure and find out how much illumination you will need.  Then, divide that illumination up between different light sources to provide a more balanced effect.  Depending on the ceiling height and angles in the space, you will likely want a little more than half of the lighting to be ambient and produced by a centrally located ceiling fixture. 

Once you know the functional side of the lighting equation, just be sure to buy contemporary lamps and fixtures that are made using the same materials and design to better enhance the overall look of the space.  Remember, nothing is more important than lighting when enhancing the look and feel of any space so take your time when finding contemporary fixtures that feature a balance between the functional and the aesthetic.