11 best desk lamps that'll illuminate any space
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Whether your workspace is feeling drab or you’re moving into a new space, there’s never a bad time to treat yourself to one of the best desk lamps. They add light to any table, of course, but they can also double as statement-making pieces of home decor (along with picks like platform bed frames and striking rugs). Picking the right one is a matter of balancing your technical needs with your taste.
Desk lamps, first and foremost, should cast enough light for you to see what you’re working on clearly, without eye strain. “A great desk lamp will offer you the lighting you need while also contributing to the overall design,” says Lindsey Goddard, a Chicago-based interior designer and founder of her own design studio. If you’re after direct light, she recommends sticking mostly to true desk lamps; if aesthetics or soft lighting are more important, table lamps can be added to the mix.
“Lamps are such a great place to have a little fun and add lots of character to a room,” explains Alyssa Kapito, a New York-based interior designer and founder of her eponymous design studio. “I love lamps that have an interesting form that you don’t normally see.” With those criteria in mind, we curated the absolute best desk lamps for any kind of home. No matter if you’re in the market for a strictly functional workhorse or a statement piece, there’s something here for everyone (and every budget).
In a rush? The best desk lamps at a glance:
- Best overall: Mahina Pink Ceramic Desk & Table Lamp & Shade, £95, Oliver Bonas
- Best value: Metal Table Lamp, £59.99, H&M
- Best glass: Ansel Marble Glass Table Lamp, £89, Urban Outfitters
- Best cordless: ARC 2.0 LED Wireless Charging Table Lamp, £70, Heal's
- Best for reading: Alabaster Swirl Table Lamp, £495, Soho Home
Ahead, the best desk lamps to add to your checkout sharpish.
Mahina Pink Ceramic Desk & Table Lamp & Shade, £95, Oliver Bonas
Why we love it: This Oliver Bonas find comes in highly recommended by team GLAMOUR, aiding your passage from work to wind-down time with ease. The base features a contemporary ombre design – achieved by carefully dipping one end into a pool of hand-mixed reactive glaze. Once the burgundy and pink hues have been fused together, and the product fired in the kiln, the glazes react to create a unique pattern. For that reason, each of these Oliver Bonas lamps is slightly different and irreplaceable.
Pros: Each lamp is unique. Fits easily-attainable E14/SES bulbs. Rocker switch.
Cons: Not dimmable.
Size: Height: 33 cm, Width: 25 cm, Depth: 25 cm.
Made from: Earthenware and polyester.
Wattage: 40W.Save when you shop for the best desk lamps with these Oliver Bonas discount codes.
Ansel Marble Glass Table Lamp, £89, Urban Outfitters
Why we love it: Mushroom lamps have been one of the hottest lighting trends of the past year, and their popularity shows no sign of slowing down in 2023. The accent piece was first popularised in the ‘70s when there were two main types: Louis Poulsen-designed Panthella mushroom lamps characterised by their long, slim bases, Murano mushroom lamps which were shorter and hand-blown by glassmakers on Murano island in Venice. This lovely lamp exudes a relaxing, ambient glow – and doesn’t take up too much space on your small space desk.
Pros: Warm glow. Trending on TikTok. Reduced in the sale. Small and compact. Wipe clean easily.
Cons: Bulb not included. Not dimmable.
Size: 19.7cm x H: 24.9cm.
Made from: Glass.
Wattage: Undisclosed.Milton Table Lamp, £129, Heal's
Why we love it: Sleek and fuss-free, this desk lamp is likely the sort of design you'd conjure up images of in your initial hunt for something stylish. It fits with a plethora of interior schemes, is compact and features an adjustable head allowing you to direct the light to aid your passage through your new book.
Pros: Crafted from a sturdy powder coated or plated steel depending on your choice of colour, which makes it really durable. On that note, it's available in both gold and brass.
Cons: It's not dimmable.
Size: Height 45cm, Width 18cm, Flex length 150cm.
Made from: Metal.
Wattage: 40W.Alabaster Swirl Table Lamp, £495, Soho Home
Why we love it: If you have a little more money to spend, make a beeline for the Alabaster Swirl desk lamp by Soho Home which takes cues from 1960s Murano glass designs and the interiors at DUMBO House in Brooklyn, New York. The base is carved from solid alabaster while the antique brass dimmer switch allows you to choose between a strong light and soft glow to suit your mood.
Pros: Contemporary design. Dimmable. Only requires one E14/9W max bulb. Natural variations and veining in the stone make each lamp unique.
Cons: Expensive. Bulb not included.
Size: H30.3 x W15 x D15cm / H11.9 x W5.9 x D5.9".
Made from: Alabaster and glass.
Wattage: 220-240V.
Lilou Integrated LED Dimmable Desk Lamp, £28, Dunelm
Why we love it: With an environmentally-friendly, energy efficient LED bulb which uses up 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs do, this LED desk lamp features a touch button and three-stage dimmer. It's modern, comes with a USB lead and fits with an array of decor styles – from farmhouse chic to classic and contemporary. The angled stem and head means the light can be directed in whichever direction you please.
Pros: Dimmable. Available in eight colours. Available for click and collect delivery. Bulb included. LED bulb.
Cons:
Size: H 40cm x W 12cm x D 24cm
Made from: Metal.
Wattage: Undisclosed.Save when you shop for the best desk lamps with these Dunelm discount codes.
Bethany Task Lamp, £178, Anthropologie
Why we love it: Perhaps the most elegant desk lamp we've ever seen, the Bethany Task lamp takes inspiration from antique desk lamps to serve up an iconic silhouette which will inject character into your WFH space. It boasts an iridescent milk glass finish and shiny brass accents.
Pros: Modern design and CE listed - which means it has been tested and approved to meet the government-regulated safety standards for the UK.
Cons: Expensive. Has been selling out rather quickly.
Size: 35cm H, 22cm diameter.
Made from: Glass, brass.
Wattage: 40 watt max.Ines Orange Raffia & Ceramic Desk & Table Lamp, £135, Oliver Bonas
Why we love it: Combining natural materials with a modern design, this bohemian table lamp with raffia lampshade sits on a ceramic base and looks endlessly more expensive than it actually is.
Pros: Design-led. Conversion ring included. Available in two sizes.
Cons: Not dimmable. Takes up a lot of space on your desk.
Size: Height: 50 cm, Width: 35 cm, Depth: 35 cm.
Made from: Earthenware, Raffia.
Wattage: 40W.Save when you shop for the best desk lamps with these Oliver Bonas discount codes.
LED Desk Lamp with Wireless Charger, WAS £22.99 NOW £19.99, Amazon
Why we love it: This soft, non-flickering desk lamp has been crafted to be kind to your eyes – even are long periods of use. This makes it ideal for reading, studying and working. It has a fully adjustable angle so that you can direct the light towards where you're positioned, and the memory function means it automatically restores to the last brightness you used for added convenience.
Pros: Often on sale. Affordable. Non-slip base. Charges more than 90% of smartphones. Available in two colours.
Cons: Lower price point means it doesn't feel quite as durable as other options in this edit.
Size: 5D x 12W x 43H centimetres.
Made from: Undisclosed.
Wattage: Undisclosed.
Why we love it: Available in four spring-appropriate pastel hues, this cute metal desk lamp offers a soft, glowing light in a retro body. The cable is fabric-covered and the angled shade spreads light evenly. A gorgeous addition to any work from home space.
Pros: Soft glow. Perfect for reading. Looks great on a bedside table.
Cons: Bulb not included.
Size: Undisclosed.
Made from: Upper part: Steel 100%, Detail: Copper 95%, Plastic 5%, Bottom part: Steel 100%.
Wattage: Undisclosed.Save when you shop for the best desk lamps with these H&M discount codes.
ARC 2.0 LED Wireless Charging Table Lamp, £70, Heal's
Why we love it: With a sleek design and genuinely useful functionalities, this fuss-free table lamp will genuinely transform your WFH experience. It can wirelessly charge any smart phone from its base, and features a touch keypad so that you can adjust the brightness of the lamp. We love the sleep mode which exudes a warm glow rather than a bright white light, for those evenings when you're (sadly) working late.
Pros: Under £100. Dimmable. Sleek in design. Charges your phone without tangled cables messing up your desk space. LED technology means it uses as little energy as possible.
Cons: Lower maximum wattage than other desk lamps in this edit.
Size: Height 38cm, Width 18cm, Depth 36cm.
Made from: Metal and Plastic.
Wattage: 10W.Govee Aura Smart Table Lamp, £68.99, Govee
Why we love it: If it's a cordless desk lamp you're after, this option by Govee comes in highly recommended. It's perfect for bedside tables and desks, and can be controlled by both Alex and Google Assistant. You can choose from 16 million (!) colours – yes, really – which means the tone can be changed depending on the task at hand. You can also get it to play music (calming while you're reading, or otherwise) or use the Creative DIY Mode to create your own setting and save it for later.
Pros: Timer function. Four music modes. Voice and app control. Countless colours. A DIY setting. It's a good night light for kids. It's portable.
Cons: It has a plastic casing which doesn't feel particularly elevated.
Size: 9.65 x 4.76 x 4.65 inches.
Made from: Not disclosed.
Wattage: Not disclosed.
