4 fun ways to mix + match lamp pairs
Our Mid Century Modern floor and table lamp pair in smoked lucite, by or after Lightolier, 1970s. Design by Time & Place Interiors
Ever since I scoped out our Mid Century smoked lucite living room lamps, I’ve been loving the idea of mixing and matching vintage lamp pairs. I spotted the two pieces almost simultaneously: the floor lamp on the Instagram account of a Hudson Valley antique shop, and the slightly smaller table lamp on eBay. They’re each lovely on their own, but pack an extra punch together. It’s satisfying to see them on either side of our sofa, like reuniting two lost siblings, decades after they were designed.
Things tend to looks good in twos, but table lamp twins are conventional. Pairing lamps that are similar but not quite identical is a playful styling trick that I like to use to add an eclectic vibe. Mixing is slightly cheeky, while repeating a common thread through the match is visually comforting.
Read on for four mix-and-match lamp styling ideas to spark your creative design juices. The pretty vintage lamps featured in this post are ones I’ve found for sale on the market. For more mix-and-match ideas, check out our post, How to pull off the mismatched chairs look.
P.S. For good atmospheric lighting, always use a dimmer like this easy plug-in version.
Play with scale
Pair lamps of the same shape but of different sizes for lighting that serves varying functions. If your room doubles as a home office, place the larger floor lamp next to a chair, and the smaller task lamp on the desk. In a living room, position the floor lamp and the table lamp on either side of the sofa — the latter raised on an end table.
The Mid Century 1960s “eyeball” lamp in the style of Robert Sonneman has a sleek & slim profile.
A complementary desk lamp in yellow makes for good task lighting.
A matching vintage Caprani floor lamp would look stylish next to a sofa or in the corner of a room.
The teak bentwood model by Mars Caprani from the 1970s is a very tasteful table lamp.
2. Add some color
Another idea is to use the same style and size of lamp pairs, but do each in a different color. This works nicely on nightstands in a bedroom design. Also, if you have two desks in one home office, mixing colors creates a unifying visual effect while adding a bit of differentiation between workstations.
An Art Deco small nightstand table in green would make for a beautiful night light or mini desk lamp.
These French lamps can also be hung on a wall as sconces, and would be extra sweet in different colors.
A vintage Stilnovo lamp would add style to any workstation.
If you have two desks in one office, place the same lamp but in a different color on each work area.
Black/white nightstand lamps in a Brooklyn bedroom. Design: Caitlin Mociun / Photo: Aaron Bengochea
3. Pick a theme
A shared theme is fun way to tie in the varying parts of an eclectic design. And doing so with lamps gives both functional lighting purpose plus endless style opportunities. You can create a mini collection by pairing lamps from the same era or historical style.
An Art Deco marble lamp made in France, with an adorable puppy. These would be delightful in a kids bedroom.
Same design, but with a surprise of a different dog breed and different color, for a playfully paired design.
A chinoiserie ceramic lamp always looks classy on a side table.
A complementary style could be put on another side table, or on a cabinet.
4. Get creative with shapes
This final idea is the most arresting “shopportunity” to show off your creativity. Vintage lamps, especially Mid Century designs, are high on stylization, allowing for striking juxtapositions of form and material. Keep colors and textures consistent while mixing up related shapes.
A vintage French table lamp is striking on its own.
Paired with this tripod lamp, also made in France — it would be even more stylish!
A Mid Century lucite and chrome mod lamp has a sharply stylized form.
A related but slightly differently shaped lamp, also in smoked lucite, would add to a themed collection.
Are you ready to raise the style level on your home’s lighting?
At Time & Place Interiors, we specialize in vintage, antique, and modern designs to create eclectic, personalized spaces. Use the link below to explore ways we can spice up your home’s look.
