Decorating your bedroom or guestroom can be an exciting process, especially when you have the means to customize it just the way you like it. Nightstand lamps are likely going to be one of the most noticeable features of your bedroom, but they’re also an essential piece from a functional standpoint.
It is not absolutely necessary for nightstand lamps to match. From a design perspective, it’s a good idea to at least find nightstand lamps with some sort of similarity. If a function is your main concern, finding two nightstand lamps that emit similar amounts of light that fit in the room is really all you need.
In this article, you will learn about the questions regarding the importance of having matching nightstands. Most of the information can be interpreted by way of the influence of your preferences, but at the same time, you will get a better idea of whether or not your nightstand lamps need to match. Just keep reading for all you need to know about matching nightstand lamps.
Do Nightstand Lamps Need to Match: Aesthetic vs. Function
The overall aesthetic of your bedroom will dictate whether or not you need nightstand lamps to match. The design is really a personal preference. But if you’re just wanting to nightstand lamps that work and function is your main goal, then matching isn’t necessary at all.
Up next, we’ll outline the details of the aesthetic and function of nightstand lamps to help you better determine whether or not yours should match.
Nightstand Lamp Aesthetic
Of course, the practical use of nightstand lamps is important, but they are not always used solely as the main light source. That is, not around your home. Nightstand lamps can be useful for dimly lighting your bedroom at night without having to turn your ceiling lights on, but another role that their presence plays is through their aesthetic.
This can be an important thing to keep in mind when choosing whether or not you want matching nightstand lamps. Now, since this article is about nightstand lamps themselves, the aesthetic of your home will only be briefly touched upon. Below are a few things to keep in consideration regarding nightstand lamps and how they might fit into a certain aesthetic.
| Organizational | This aesthetic type involves constantly keeping your furniture nice, neat, and readily available to welcome guests. Of course, maybe you just like a well-organized, clean-looking home. In this case, you will probably want your bedroom to look as organized as any other room. Finding two matching nightstand lamps is a great way to tie this aesthetic to your bedroom. |
| Casual | If you like the casual style, you have probably got some sense of organization, but with a touch of personality. In this case, getting nightstand lamps with similar color, texture, or even size can be an acceptable way to accessorize your bedside table. With two nightstand lamps that are at least related in some way, you get the sense of symmetry along with your own unique preference to make your bedroom fit your style. |
| Indifferent | This type of style likely includes numerous types of furniture throughout your house, with no focus on organization, matching, etc. This is a completely acceptable style, especially in your bedroom. You might not necessarily care too much about the specific look of the lights in your bedroom. With this option, there is no reason you should worry about buying two matching nightstands. If you enjoy the look of random furniture that does not traditionally go together, by all means, go for it. |
Clearly, nightstand lamps do not always have to match. It all depends on your style and aesthetic, which, if you are impartial to, would not require nightstand lamps that look at all similar. In other instances, you might want two of the exact same nightstand lamps or two lamps that complement each other in certain ways. It is all about finding what fits your room best.
Nightstand Lamp Function
Another consideration for deciding whether or not to choose two nightstand lamps that match is the question of function. What is going to be the main function of your nightstand lamps? The main light source in your bedroom? Two interesting spectacles to give your room character?
Whatever the case, there are things to think about when choosing your nightstand lamps for a certain function. Three of the main ways in which you may want nightstand lamps are as follows:
- As centerpieces of your bedroom
- As practical sources of light
- As simple – or not so simple – accessories to tie your bedroom together
Nightstand Lamps as a Furniture Focal Point
Perhaps you feel that you are missing a standout piece of furniture in your bedroom. Or maybe you do not have enough space to put a larger piece of furniture in your bedroom to grab attention. Having two identical nightstand lamps that stand out can make your bedroom more suitable for this preference. This is a time when your nightstand lamps can match.
If you are going to be using your nightstand lamps as some of your main pieces of furniture in your room, it might be a good idea to get matching nightstand lamps. This will draw attention to a noticeable yet simplified style.
Particularly if there is nothing overly unique about your bedroom, you do not want to go overboard in your choice of nightstand lamps. Getting two that match will keep the subtle style of your bedroom while also providing noticeable pieces of furniture that stand out.
So, if you are looking to maintain an organized style with a few centerpieces, having two matching nightstand lamps can be a go-to choice for your light fixtures. They will pull your room together without attracting too much attention.
Nightstand Lamps for Regular Use
Many – if not most – people tend to want nightstand lamps that will provide enough light in the bedroom without turning on overhead ceiling lights. Or maybe you just want enough light to be able to sit in bed and read.
If the main function of your nightstand lamps is going to be using them for practical purposes, you are going to want reliable lamps with ample power output. However, maybe you want one side to be brighter – for something like reading at night – and one side to be dimmer – for standard lighting without overhead ceiling lights.
In the same sense, maybe you will want a larger lamp for one side and a smaller lamp for the other. However, you might want to get two lamps that look somewhat similar in order to keep your bedroom style up to your own personal standards.
If you are going to be using your nightstand lamps for the benefit of their light, you can choose matching lamps or different lamps. Again, much of the decision falls on your preference. But if you still want some sense of symmetry or organization in your bedroom, you should try to find nightstand lamps with similar qualities, even if they may not be exactly the same.
Nightstand Lamps as Accessories
If you are getting nightstand lamps to intentionally act as pieces of furniture that stand alone in your room, you have a lot more freedom for inappropriate lamp choices. Everyone accessorizes differently, so everyone is going to have different opinions on how to accessorize with nightstand lamps.
This can be the case in any bedroom situation, from the most simple style to an outlandishly unique look. Maybe everything in your bedroom is plain and simple, but you want just one aspect to really pop. Well, getting two different – but equally interesting – nightstand lamps can be a great way to do this.
Of course, perhaps your idea of suitable accessories involves staying as symmetrical as possible. In that case, feel free to get matching nightstand lamps to add to the simple, clean look of your bedroom.
On the other hand, maybe your bedroom is filled with furniture and decorations that are not typically meant to match but have been implemented with your own style to form a sort of organized chaos. Adding two different nightstand lamps can make this effect even more present, giving your bedroom one last aspect to add to its collection of uniqueness.
Other Options If You Do Not Match Your Nightstand Lamps
As mentioned before, nightstand lamps do not always have to match. As you now know, there are different circumstances that might make you more inclined to get different lamps. If that is the case, and you decide that getting two different nightstand lamps is the way to go, there are still a few things to keep in mind.
If you want differing nightstand lamps but still want them to look presentable and roughly similar, below are things to look for when choosing your nightstand lamps.
Similar Color
This is probably the easiest way to find similar nightstand lamps. Whether it is grey, white, silver, blue, or anything else, you should not have too much trouble finding lamps of the same or similar color.
If you find lamps that are the same color, all of their other aspects do not necessarily have to have anything related to each other. If you are not entirely critical about the symmetry of your room, but you want at least some organization, similar colored nightstand lamps can get the job done just fine.
You can also influence your color choice by observing other pieces of furniture in your room. Maybe you want your lamps to match those, or maybe you want a bit of contrast throughout your room. Regardless of your preference, choosing nightstand lamps based on their color is a stress-free way to go.
Similar Style
This choice is interesting because, although you might not get the exact same nightstand lamps, you can find two that complement each others’ texture or shape. You can really play around with your options here.
If you are not concerned about the color of your nightstand lamps, you can look for two lamps that are similarly shaped or textured. This can be interesting in the sense that you could have two different-looking lamps with similar qualities that make them look acceptable.
On the other hand, maybe you want to take the idea of a similar style in a different direction. Consider the phrase, “opposites attract.” Now, think of how unique of a look it would be if one of your nightstand lamps were lightly colored, with a simple, rounded structure and base, and the other lamp was dark, with sharp edges and a geometrically intriguing body.
With the yin-and-yang style approach, the sky is the limit when choosing two nightstand lamps. Not everything always has to match perfectly, right? Adding a little flair to your choice of nightstand lamps might be just what your bedroom needs.
Similar Size
Maybe you are more focused on dimensional similarities rather than color or style. This factor might come into play if your attention is drawn to the scalability of your bedroom. Everything might not match, but you do like the idea of size-related symmetry.
In this case, it does not matter what your two nightstand lamps look like as long as they are relatively equal in size. Frequently, others may not even notice they are different lamps if they appear at a glance to be the same size, so this choice is not likely to raise a large number of furniture-lovers’ eyebrows.
Furthermore, if you choose two nightstand lamps that are both designed with simple style, you may not even notice the difference. And if you are indifferent, that makes a choice all the easier.
Lampshade
One of the most popular parts of a nightstand lamp is typically its lampshade. As the lampshade is usually the largest part of the lamp, it is the piece of furniture that you and others notice first.
Choosing two nightstand lamps with similar lampshades can be a good choice if you do not wish your lamps to draw too much attention. It keeps your bedroom looking sleek and simple.
On the other hand, you could choose two of the same lampshades but attach them to two completely different lamp bases. This way, the noticeable part of the lamp stays symmetrical and organized, while you have the freedom to choose different bases that fit your preference.
No Similarities
As mentioned above, many people really do not care whether their nightstand lamps match or not. If this is the case, feel free to go in any direction you like.
Regardless of whether your reasoning is because you do not care or because you want additional uniqueness tailored to your style, choosing two completely different nightstand lamps is a perfectly acceptable option.
Additional Factors That Can Influence Nightstand Lamp Choice
To build off of the aesthetic idea without going too much into an overly broad category of interior design, there are many other considerations to keep in mind when choosing your nightstand lamps, no matter if you choose to get the same or different lamps.
But, since so much of choosing your nightstand lamps can revolve around specific interior design, it is worth noting other aspects that can influence your choice. Below are miscellaneous things in your bedroom that might sway your opinion on whether or not you should buy matching nightstand lamps.
| Bedding | If you have simple-style bedding, you might not want your choice of nightstand lamps to be too outlandish. That is, if you like the simple look, stick with it. Get matching nightstand lamps that will not take away from the look of your organizational aesthetic. If your bedding consists of many colors or a specific design, it should not be a huge factor to worry about. |
| Other furniture | Aside from your bed, you might want to think about the types of furniture in your bedroom. Are your dressers, desk, vanity, etc., all the same style? If so, this would be another instance that you will want to get two of the same – or similar – nightstand lamps. Again, if your bedroom consists of various pieces of furniture, feel free to branch out your lamp options. |
| Symmetry | Even if you do not have matching furniture, perhaps your bedroom is still quite symmetrical. You have a bit more freedom here, but you should still find nightstand lamps that share at least one or two similar qualities from the options above. If anything, find nightstand lamps of relatively equal size to keep the dimensions of your room looking presentable. |
| Amount of furniture | If you lack a good amount of furniture in your bedroom, you might want to think about getting matching nightstand lamps. Particularly if you do not want certain pieces of furniture to grab too much attention, keeping it plain and simple will be your best option. In a room that lacks a lot of furniture, two different nightstand lamps might simply stand out too much and appear not to fit well in the room. |
Takeaway
As you can see, nightstand lamps do not need to match. However, certain circumstances might suggest that you find two lamps with some type of similarity in order to keep your bedroom fit to its specific style.
As with all furniture projects, the final decision falls on your shoulders. If you think you need matching nightstand lamps in your bedroom, find what works best for you. If you want to try something new or are indifferent to the style of your bedroom, there is no problem with getting two completely different nightstand lamps.