A glass table lamp is a lamp whose shade is made of glass rather than fabric or paper. The glass changes the light: stained glass glows in colour, opal glass gives an even milky light, and a coloured bankers shade sends light down onto the desk while its edges glow. This guide explains the three main kinds of glass table lamp, gives the real sizes of the glass table lamps we sell, and shows how much space each one takes on a bedside table or a desk.
Three kinds of glass table lamp
- Stained glass (Tiffany-style). Small panes of coloured art glass are cut, wrapped and soldered by hand, with dark lead lines drawing the pattern. Lit, the shade glows like a lantern and casts a warm, jewel-toned pool of light. Our lamps are Tiffany-style designs, not pieces made by Tiffany Studios; to learn the difference, read our Tiffany lamp guide.
- Opal glass. A milky white glass that hides the bulb and spreads a soft, even light. The Cordless Marble Table Lamp pairs a flat opal glass shade with a solid marble base (the green version has an amber-tinted shade).
- Coloured bankers glass. A wide glass shade over the bulb sends the light down onto the desk. The Cobalt Glass Bankers Desk Lamp glows softly blue along its edges. More in our bankers lamp guide.
Glass table lamps: real sizes
All sizes below come from our product pages.
| Lamp | Glass | Height | Shade | Base | Switch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Stained Glass Tiffany Lamp | Marbled blue stained glass | 36.5 cm (14.4 in) | Ø 20 cm (7.9 in) | Ø 11.5 cm (4.5 in) | In-line on/off |
| Baroque Stained Glass Table Lamp | Stained glass, light yellow or blue | 36.5 cm (14.4 in) | Ø 20 cm (7.9 in) | Ø 11.5 cm (4.5 in) | In-line push-button |
| Tiffany Cat Table Lamp | Stained glass, 3 designs | 36.5 cm (14.4 in) | 20 cm (7.9 in) | 11.5 cm (4.5 in) | Button |
| Tiffany Gypsophila Bedside Lamp | Cream glass with crystals | 38 cm (15 in) | 20 cm (7.9 in) | Not stated | Not stated |
| Tiffany Mission Style Table Lamp | Square stained glass shade | 36.5 cm (14.4 in) | 28 cm (11 in) | 15.5 cm (6.1 in) | Not stated |
| Cobalt Glass Bankers Desk Lamp | Cobalt blue glass | 36 cm (14.2 in) | 26.5 cm (10.4 in) wide | 18 cm (7.1 in) | Pull chain |
| Cordless Marble Table Lamp | Opal glass | 23 cm (9.1 in) | Ø 17 cm (6.7 in) | Ø 7 cm (2.8 in) | Touch, 3 brightness levels |
Will it fit? A worked guide for bedside tables and desks
The widest part of a glass table lamp is almost always the shade. Here is the space left on a typical 45 cm (17.7 in) bedside table:
- Ø 20 cm stained glass shade (Blue Tiffany, Baroque, Cat, Gypsophila): 25 cm (9.8 in) left for a book, a phone and a glass of water.
- Cordless Marble, Ø 17 cm: 28 cm (11 in) left, the most of any lamp here, and no cable to route.
- Cobalt Bankers, 26.5 cm: 18.5 cm (7.3 in) left. It suits a desk better, where its light falls on the page in front of you.
- Mission Style, 28 cm: 17 cm (6.7 in) left. Choose a wider table, a console or a desk for it.
On a bedside, two matching Ø 20 cm lamps, one on each side, keep a bed symmetrical. For the right height above the mattress, see bedside lamp height and reading lights. Weight matters if you move a lamp often: the Cordless Marble weighs about 1.95 kg and runs 8–12 hours per charge.
Which glass for which room?
- Bedroom: a Ø 20 cm stained glass lamp for a warm, coloured glow, or the cordless opal glass lamp for an even light you can carry.
- Study or home office: the Cobalt Bankers, whose light falls down onto the desk.
- Living room: the Mission Style or Baroque on a console, sideboard or shelf, as an accent light. For a cat lover or a child's room, the Tiffany Cat Lamp doubles as a soft night light.
See every design in our Tiffany & Stained Glass Lamps collection, or browse all table lamps. Our stained glass lamps buying guide covers how they are made.
Choosing a lamp for a desk rather than a bedside? Our guide to desk lamps compares the bankers, stained glass, dome and cordless designs on a 60 cm deep desk. For glass pendants and lamps in an old-fashioned style, see vintage lamps and pendant lights.
Our stained glass range now includes larger 30 cm and 40 cm shades: see Tiffany table lamp sizes for the heights and the space each size takes. For choosing a lamp for the nightstand, size, switch and matching pairs, see our guide to bedside lamps.
For stained glass shades chosen by motif, see our guide to floral Tiffany lamps (roses, tulips, grapes and hydrangeas). For the Tiffany Cat, the House lamp and other small, playful designs, see cute lamps.
Frequently asked questions
Do glass table lamps give enough light to read?
A bankers lamp does, because its shade sends the light down. A stained glass lamp gives a softer, coloured glow that suits a bedside or an accent corner more than long reading.
Will a glass table lamp work in the US or the UK?
The Blue Tiffany, Baroque and Cat lamps are offered with a choice of plug, including US and UK, and run on 110–240 V. Check each product page for the plugs and voltage available.
How do I clean a glass lamp shade?
Switch the lamp off, let it cool, and wipe the glass with a soft dry or slightly damp cloth. Avoid soaking stained glass, as the lead lines hold the panes together. More tips in our lamp shade cleaning guide.
