My Entryway Was Always Too Dark, Until I Got This Cute $23 Portable Lamp

At the beginning of the year, I got a new floor lamp for my living room. It’s a task lamp, and although I love its vintage look and the soft light it emits, it’s not enough on its own when all of the other lights in my common spaces are turned off. Because my entryway, kitchen, and living room are all one long, continuous space, I’d been wishing for another lamp for my entryway.

The tricky thing is, there are no outlets next to my entryway console table — so even if I wanted to put a lamp on it, I couldn’t. At least, that used to be the case. Then I was sent the Bell & Howell retro rechargeable lamp from QVC, and it instantly solved my problem. It gives off the perfect amount of light without taking up too much space and, since getting it, I’ve used it in multiple spots throughout my home. At $23, it’s a steal, too!

My lamp arrived in a box that was roughly a foot tall, so I instantly knew it would be pretty small. Measuring 11.6 inches tall and nearly 5 inches across the top, it’s the perfect size for a desk or nightstand or even a skinny console table like mine. The lamp mixes materials beautifully; its pole and base are gold-toned brass, while the shade is a transparent, fluted acrylic material that could pass as glass for anyone who doesn’t know better.

By far the coolest thing about this lamp, though, is that you don’t have to plug it in. Because it’s rechargeable (a USB-C charging cable is included), you don’t have to worry about finding an outlet. Instead, you can put it literally anywhere for ambient light. It feels super light, which makes it that much easier to move around. 

What’s more, the lamp has a touch-control button at its base, which you tap to turn it on and off and to adjust the light setting. I love the warm-toned light, but there’s also a cool light and neutral light setting.

I was excited to find that my lamp was fully charged when it arrived, so I could use it straight out of the box. It stays on for about four or five hours, and I recharge it overnight. If you’re looking for a strong, bright lamp to illuminate your entire workspace, this isn’t it. Instead, it’s nice to have on in the background while you’re watching a movie or eating dinner. The warm light setting makes me feel especially cozy; sometimes I set the lamp on my desk while I lie in bed if I want just a little bit of illumination in my room.

Additionally, I enjoy the lamp’s vintage-inspired design. Although its name suggests that it has a “retro” aesthetic, to me it looks more Victorian. One small issue was that the inside of the top portion of the shade has what appear to be little scratches, but they’re not super noticeable unless you’re looking closely. But I do like how the brass pole and base tie in with my other brass fixtures and decor.

If you’re after an easy lighting solution that won’t clutter your tabletops, try this rechargeable find while it’s still in stock. I’m considering getting another one, and I’d recommend it to any other person similarly living in a small apartment.

Buy: Bell & Howell Retro Rechargeable Lamp, $22.98 (normally $26)