Adding an Oversized Lamp to a Room Austin

It’s been said an oversized lamp can make a huge statement in your interior, and it’s even been suggested to help enlarge a smaller space. If you’ve been getting the urge to enlarge your lamp collection but have been nervous to take the plunge, we’ve gathered a few tips on how you can add one of these larger-than-life lighting pieces into your own home---whatever the room’s size.

Don’t oversize them all Choose one individual lamp or one great pair of big lamps and add additional lighting pieces to the space carefully and sparingly. If you’re going to add a stunning piece to a space, don’t let other lamps steal the spotlight.
Add pattern and color Since a large lamp or pair of lamps will be a focal point in a space, take advantage of their eye-catching ability and go with lamps that feature a bold color or fun pattern. A large lamp can be great for inspiring a color scheme or pulling a room’s décor together.
Balance with the rest of the décor If you pick an oversized lamp with lots of color or pattern, consider keeping the rest of the room’s design fairly minimal. Or, if you’ve got an already decorated space consider going with a more minimal, larger lamp.
Use it in a niche Small places like a reading nook, dining room corner or entry way are a natural spot for a big, oversized and bright lamp.
Don’t stick to just table Large floor lamps and oversized pendant lights are another great way to tie a room together---keep in mind the same tips when shopping.

Have you successfully incorporated an oversized table lamp, floor lamp or pendant light in your home? What tips or advice did you follow when shopping for it? What effect did it have on your space? Tell us about your oversized lamps!

I've seen the huge Aqua Creations floor lights at a hotel lobby on my street. They're unbelievably gorgeous. But I suspect I'd have to win the lottery to buy one.

posted by Lisa (Montreal) on August 5th 2009 at 9:21am
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I've always thought that arranging your whole house in "scaled furniture" is a mishap. The pieces look and feel as what they are.... small. Some people just sacrifice comfort to make a house "look right". I think it's really sad.. but well, some people don't have or can't recognize what feeling good in their home actually is.

It is true that because of space limitations in modern living spaces we can't have our 10 seat grandma's dining table but we sure can squeeze in the huge sideboard that came with the set. And with our modern sense of multitasking we can make it a very functional, practical, great piece...keeping it's grandeur, it's scale, it's beauty and it's own personality giving our space a great sense of style.

My point is...a big piece (for our space) on it's real scale, being a lamp, a couch, a plant.... you name it....gives strenght to the whole room...

posted by manu_pty on August 5th 2009 at 9:54am
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Nearly all the lamps throughout the apartment are big w/ chunky oversized shades - I don't know that thay makes my rooms feel any larger, but they certainly do make them more interesting.

Dinky undersized lamps have got to be one of my top 10 design peeves.

posted by bepsf on August 5th 2009 at 11:53am
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I have 2 tall brass thai candle sticks w/ the trays to catch the wax that my Dad bought and had made into lamps some 40 years or so ago and used to reside in my parent's house, but since they are tall and they went with traditional style furniture with taller end tables, they were just TOO tall and since I've always loved them, I got them and have one on a low side table next to the couch, and on a more normal height teak modern side table, a shorter, squat blue/gold glass based lamp from probably the 40's or early 50's, with original shade and they flank a side of the couch.

The other Thai brass lamp is stored at Mom's for now.

I have a vintage early 60's Lightolier 3 light floor lamp and another brass lamp that's made from a shell casing from Vietnam that used to be on my Dad's side of the bed for many years and I have a teak wood carved elephant that my Dad made into a lamp for me in the 6th grade and they all reside in my living/dining room

posted by ciddyguy on August 5th 2009 at 12:46pm
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