Work through four decisions in order. First the purpose: ambient glow, task or reading light, or a decorative accent. Second the size, using the height guidance above and checking the base suits your surface. Third the switch type: inline cord switch, touch dimming, or remote and app control. Fourth the style and finish, picking a metal, timber, ceramic or glass that already appears elsewhere in the room. If you are torn between two options, our design team is happy to help.

A good rule is that the total height of the lamp should be roughly one third the height of the furniture it sits on, and the bottom of the shade should sit near eye level when you are seated. As a quick guide: 40cm to 55cm for a bedside table so the shade sits just above your shoulder when you are sitting up in bed, 50cm to 70cm for a console or hallway table, and 55cm to 65cm for a side table next to a sofa. Always check the lamp will not overhang the edge of the surface.

Start with a shade about two thirds the width of the lamp base, and roughly as tall as the base itself. The shade must be deep enough to hide the globe and socket when you look at the lamp from the side. If you are replacing a shade, measure the top diameter, the bottom diameter and the slope height, and check the fitting type (spider, Euro clip or clip on) before ordering. You can browse replacement lamp shades here.

For ambient or accent light on a sideboard or side table, 400 to 800 lumens is plenty, which is roughly a 5W to 9W LED globe. For reading, aim for 800 to 1,100 lumens directed onto the page. Most modern table lamps draw only 5W to 12W in LED, replacing the old 40W to 75W incandescent globes at a fraction of the running cost. If the lamp is the only light source in the room, size up and pair it with a dimmer so you can drop the level at night.

Look for three things: an adjustable or directional head so you can aim light onto the page rather than into your eyes, an opaque or lined shade to cut glare, and around 800 to 1,100 lumens. A warm white globe at 2700K to 3000K is easier on the eyes for bedtime reading, while 4000K suits a desk or study. Touch dimming or a three stage switch is worth having so you can wind the brightness down before sleep.

No. Every table lamp we sell is a plug in fitting supplied with an Australian plug and lead, so you simply plug it into a standard power point and switch it on. No wiring and no electrician required. That makes table lamps one of the fastest ways to add light and atmosphere to a room, and one of the few lighting upgrades you can make in a rental.

Yes. Rechargeable table lamps run on an internal battery and typically give 6 to 20 hours per charge depending on the brightness setting, then recharge over USB. They suit outdoor tables, balconies, dining settings and anywhere without a nearby power point, and many are rated for outdoor use. Browse the portable and rechargeable lamp range for current models.

An LED table lamp drawing around 8W costs only a few cents to run for an entire night, so leaving one on overnight is inexpensive and safe with a quality LED fitting. If you are still running an old incandescent or halogen globe, switching to LED cuts running costs by roughly 80 percent and the lamp runs far cooler. For overnight use, choose a warm white globe at 2700K and a lamp with dimming or a low setting so the light is not disruptive.

The usual causes are a loose globe, a globe that is not dimmer compatible, or a dimmer that is not rated for LED loads. Switch the lamp off, let it cool, then reseat the globe. If it still flickers, check the globe packaging states it is dimmable and that your dimmer is an LED trailing edge type. A worn inline switch or a damaged cord can also cause flickering, in which case the lamp should be repaired or replaced rather than kept in use.

They do not have to. A matching pair gives a symmetrical, calm and more traditional look that suits a formal bedroom. Mixing two different lamps of similar height and tone reads as relaxed and considered, which suits a layered scheme. The things worth keeping consistent are scale and light output, so both sides of the bed feel balanced when the lamps are switched on.

Aim for two or three light sources spread around the room rather than relying on one central ceiling light. Put a lamp on the side table beside your main seat for reading, one on a sideboard or console to lift a dark corner, and one on a shelf or bookcase to add depth. Keep the bottom of the shades at a similar height across the room so the light reads evenly, and run the lamps off a dimmer or smart plug so you can drop the level in the evening.