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18 hours ago
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If you consume any sort of home decor content on social media, you might be familiar with the term "the big light" — but just in case, it's referring to the (often harsh) overhead light found in many a room. I, for one, can't stand the abrasiveness of these fixtures, and instead opt for table and floor lamps to create a cozier atmosphere. The one place I hadn't thought of doing this, however, was in my kitchen; that is, until I saw an Instagram post from home decor expert Joanna Gaines, in which I could spot a small table lamp on her counter.
Sold! As a professional baker, I spend a lot of time in the kitchen and often lament how bright mine is. So I cleared off some space and placed one of my table lamps on the counter to see what a difference it could make. Let me tell you — my kitchen instantly felt more cozy and inviting, and having the lamp on the counter gave the impression that some inkling of design consideration was given to the room. (I am admittedly not a decor expert.)
If you have the space and would like to give this simple fix a try, you'll need to find the right lamp, of course. With so many styles to choose from, picking one can be overwhelming, so I rounded up several that caught my eye, from smaller modern styles to more ornate statement pieces. And with that, let there be (softer) light.
There's a reason the mid-century modern aesthetic seemingly never goes out of style — it's sophisticated, yet understated, and, true to its name, it marries old and new qualities. Perhaps that's why more than 1,000 people purchased this wooden beauty in the past month. I'm a fan of the slightly retro look of the linen shade, and at just over 14 inches tall, it's ideal for counters that are short on cabinet clearance.
Look, ma, no cords! When your outlets are being occupied by blenders and air fryers, having a battery-powered lamp comes in clutch. This one's rechargeable and has three brightness levels (it'll run for up to 48 hours on the lowest setting). The metallic base and white shade don't get more classic, and since it doesn't need to be plugged in, you could even bring it outdoors to light up your picnic table in style.
If you were blessed with copious counter space, A. I envy you, and B. I've found you a stunner of a lamp. How luxurious to chop onions while this elegant light illuminates your cutting board! The matte ceramic base is stylish without feeling too "fancy," and I adore the Terracotta hue for a bit of color that's not over the top. That said, it also comes in plenty of neutrals.
This fluted cutie is by Joanna Gaines' home goods line for Target, and at less than a foot tall, it'll fit just about anywhere. The combination of the ribbed base and compact silhouette feels like a modern take on the type of lamp you'd see in an old-school study, and I love that it has an exposed frosted bulb, reminiscent of a (very attractive) crystal ball. Now you'll have something to ask, "What should I make for dinner?"
Is this not the most adorable lamp you've ever seen? The scalloped rattan shade would look right at home in a rustic, cottage-core kitchen, and while I'm partial to the cheery yellow hue, it also comes in six other colors. I might have to get a couple for my nightstands...
Drew Barrymore's home goods line for Walmart never disappoints, and this "looks-more-expensive-than-it-is" accessory is no exception. The rounded ribbed base paired with a large linen shade makes for quite the statement piece, and because it's faux wood, you won't have to be too precious while you're meal prepping. (Reviewers do say it "looks and feels like real wood.")
This sleek specimen has a secret — well, a few secrets, actually. Should your phone run out of juice while you're following recipes on it, the lamp's base is equipped with both a USB port and AC outlet. You can also tap the base to change the brightness (it has three levels), and at just over 21 inches high, it's a countertop showstopper.
Bring some beachy vibes into your kitchen, courtesy of this breezy room brightener. The negative space within the woven base offers plenty of visual interest without being too flashy, while the crisp white drum shade elegantly ties the look together.
I saw a dead ringer for this lamp in one of Giada De Laurentiis' Instagram posts and immediately started swooning — apparently even her home decor takes inspiration from food. As taken as I was with its striking shape and mid-century modern aesthetic, I was even more excited when I found out that it's dimmable — all you have to do is tap it to change things up (or down). Now, this is one type of fungi I wouldn't mind seeing in my house...
It's okay if you can't keep flowers alive; as much as I'd love to have vases full of fresh blooms adorning my counter, I know they'd look like shriveled messes in a few days' time. But that's why lamps like this sweet floral-shaped one exist. Not only does it add a bit of whimsy to any room it's in, but its flexible neck can be adjusted to your preferred angle. Oh, and it's dimmable to create some mood lighting.
Last, but certainly not least: If you're gonna put a pineapple lamp in your home, put it in the kitchen! I don't think I've ever seen a chicer piece of fruit, and there's no denying it'll be the topic of conversation whenever you have guests over. The gold accents make it feel sophisticated rather than tacky, and the 100% cotton shade tones things down. It comes in softer colors like gray, navy and white, but I'm really digging the orange.
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