10 Lamps That Are Perfect for Brightening Rooms with Little Natural Light

updated Aug 5, 2024
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Pretty living room with standing lamp

I can vividly remember my very first apartment: a small New York City studio that had a not-so-gorgeous view of the brick wall of a neighboring building. Needless to say, the apartment didn’t allow for much in terms of natural light, so I had to find crafty ways to lighten and brighten my apartment with the help of lampslots of them.

The Best Lamps for Dark Rooms

As we’ve explored in the past, good lighting is essential to creating an inviting and comfortable space. But when south-facing windows aren’t abundant in your home, artificial lighting is one of the most effective ways to make up for the lack of natural light streaming in. LED bulbs are great to use in rooms with poor lighting, as they quickly brighten up your home with some soft but warm light. Below, you’ll find some bright and effective lamps that are great to use in dark, or even windowless, rooms.

Do you have a lamp you swear by? We want to hear all about it! Tell us about your favorite finds in the comments below.

1 / 10
Wayfair
$95.99

Simple and modern in its design, the Anthony arched floor lamp is excellent at brightening up your living room, dining area, or reading nook. A seeded glass dome shade diffuses ample amounts of light, and the lamp is operated by a convenient footswitch so that you don't find yourself fumbling to turn it on in the dark. Oh, and the bulb is included, too!

2 / 10
Bed Bath & Beyond
$193.99
was $398.99

The artful silhouette of this floor lamp is quite easy on the eyes, but it's also a great source of lighting for dark rooms. The three lamp heads are perfect for brightening up a room, and the gold finish on the inside of the shades adds decorative flair.

3 / 10
Amazon
$59.98
was $99.99

Govee’s smart lamp will instantly step up your space’s ambiance. It’s extremely narrow, so it works in cramped rooms, but its impact is major. You can customize its hue via a voice control device or an app — there are 16 million color options — and it’ll even sync with music or game audio.

4 / 10
Schoolhouse
$499.00

We're obsessed with this stylish gold desk lamp from design brand Schoolhouse, which packs a ton of brightness without taking up too much space. A timeless task light for any room, the Princeton Desk Lamp's adjustable arm lets you shine light wherever you need it.

5 / 10
Amazon
$119.98

A running theme with city apartments is that they never seem to have enough overhead lighting. With this inexpensive and easy-to-install Amazon find, you'll brighten things up while adding some style to your space. This genius Sputnik plug-in chandelier comes with 12 LED bulbs, ensuring plenty of light shines through in your space.

6 / 10
Amazon
$13.99
was $24.99

In case you haven't heard, sunset lamps are all the rage on social media. People who've tried them find them equal parts Instagrammable and comforting. These sun-imitating lights are often used to curb symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is associated with a lack of sunlight during the winter months. If you're looking for a unique way to bring a sunny effect into an otherwise dreary room, this under-$10 find is an absolute steal.

7 / 10
Amazon
$21.99
was $24.99

This small but mighty dimmable plug-in lamp is what your bedside table has been missing. It emits a light that's strong but not blinding, so it'll create a cozy environment to read or wind down before bed. Bonus: It comes with a convenient USB plug to charge your electronics.

8 / 10
Amazon
$59.99
was $69.99

For anyone who isn't really into floor lamps, this one is a perfect option. Understated and effective, it has a slender, minimalist build that fits into tight spaces and gels with many different design aesthetics. This dimmable lamp uses warm white LED bulbs, has four brightness settings, and an adjustable head that allows you to control where the light goes.

9 / 10
Amazon
$108.59

This tall and lean floor lamp will be the beautiful spark of light your room has been missing. Its slim design is perfect for small spaces, while the LED bulb brightens up any area that needs a little more visibility.

10 / 10
Urban Outfitters
$84.00
was $99.00

We have no doubt you've seen this super cute lamp all over the internet these past couple of years, but don't worry — the mushroom decor trend is showing no signs of slowing down. In addition to being very current, the Ansel table lamp can also go on just about any tiny surface, be it your nightstand, bookshelf, or window sill. It emits a warm, cozy glow instead of harsh light and comes in three colorful finishes.