Okay, I admit it. I do not like changing lightbulbs. That’s one big problem with have lots of lamps in your home. The good news is today’s lightbulbs last longer so you don’t have to change them so much. The bad news is there are so many different types of lightbulbs that trying to find what you need in a store can be a major headache.
Lamp bulbs and various parts of lamps are no exception. Therefore, while the design of a lamp is very important when choosing a lamp for any room, you also want to consider the type of lightbulb and hence the type of light it gives off.
Perhaps you like all your home lighting to have a particular type of bulb or light. Or, perhaps you don’t really care as much about the light as you do the design of the lamp. The goal is getting both the perfect lamp design and lighting.
There’s more to the anatomy of a table and floor lamp than meets the eye. There are many parts for each type of lamp as you can see below in our custom “parts of a lamp” illustrated diagram. It’s broken up into 4 sections, which are:
Related: Small Table Lamps | Types of Desk Lamps | Living Rooms with Table Lamps
- Table lamp anatomy;
- Floor lamp anatomy;
- Lampshade styles; and
- Lampshade fittings.
As you can see, the table lamp is typically more complex than a floor lamp. Who knew, right?
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Parts of a Table Lamp (top to bottom):
- Lock: Locks the lampshade in place.
- Lampshade fitting: structural frame for the lampshade.
- Lampshade: Softens the light.
- Bulb: Provide the light.
- Harp: Vertical shade support and shade attachment into the socket.
- Socket shell: light socket for bulb.
- Insulation sleeve: Secures socket shell to the switch and base.
- Switch: Turns light on and off.
- Base: Lighting element base that attaches to the lamp body.
- Threaded tube: Attaches lighting components to the lamp body.
- Body: Aesthetic design/body of the lower part of the lamp.
- Plug: Conduit for electricity to power lightbulb.
- Lamp base: base/foundation for body.
- Anti-slip material: Can be felt or rubber to keep lamp in place on surface.
Parts of a Floor Lamp (top to bottom):
- Shade: directs and controls light from bulb.
- Pole/tube: Structure providing height to which shade and bulb attach.
- Adjuster: Swivel component to adjust direction of shade.
- Break: Component that secures / loosens top pole from bottom poll to adjust floor lamp height.
- Husk: Attaches poll to floor lamp base.
- Base: Usually fairly heavy and wide (in relation to lamp poll) to anchor floor lamp and keep it upright.
See our types of floor lamps for more information.
