Table Lamps

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Forget those old-fashioned desk lamps that were positioned directly across from the person seated at the desk. They created the worst possible surface glare, throwing light directly into eyes. Recent emphasis on ergonomic office design can be carried over into the home in lighting designs for desks, craft areas, and sewing centers. The principles for many table top projects are similar. Miniaturisation, in bulbs like halogens and compact fluorescents and in the designs of desk lamps themselves, has broadened the possibilities. Modern renderings often include long-legged designs and articulated necks that allow you to position light exactly where you want it. When it comes to task lighting, efficiency takes precedence over design. Eyestrain can result from poorly adjusted lighting that is not customised for tasks. Be sure your desk lamp suits your needs. Check out the lamp in the store, sitting as you would sit to use it. Lamps for left-handed people should be placed on the right, and those for right-handed people belong on the left so that hands and arms do not shadow the work or writing field.Avoid lamps that provide bright light to a small viewing area only by creating glare when you are seated in your normal relationship to the lamp. The entire lamp design, including distance the bulb extends towards you beyond the base, amount of shielding of the bulb, range of light thrown and opacity of the shade are all factors that make a desk lamp convenient or inconvenient for your specific needs. A lamp whose shade rim is below your eye level (usually 15 inches beside your working area and about 12 inches centered from the edge of your desk, is an efficient choice for most desk work.