Accent Lamps - Used for mood lighting, they’re a great way to add personality and detail to any room décor or emphasize specific area.

Ambient Lighting - Designed to provide general uniform illumination throughout the workspace. Ambient Light should provide a comfortable amount light to suit the function of a room.

Baffle Deflector - A device made of metal, wood or plastic which reflects light downward and diffuses light upward to reduce glare. It is generally used on shades with large top diameters.

Base Switch – Found on the base of a lamp, which is convenient when turning off and on.

Boudoir Lamp – A lamp designed for the bedroom.

Buffet Candlestick – A tall, slim accent lamp typically used on buffets or sofa tables.

Compact Fluorescent – Small fluorescent bulbs which often may be used in a standard medium-base socket. They produce a light that closely resembles natural sunlight and use less electricity than incandescent bulbs.

Cove Lighting – Distributed over the ceiling and upper wall, this lighting source is shielded by a ledge or horizontal recess.

Desk Lamps – Designed for work and study spaces where the light source should be about 15” above work area.

Dimmer Switch – A device which gradually increases and decreases light intensity by regulating the amount of electrical power delivered to the lamp. Most torchieres are equipped with dimmers.

Direct Lighting – This usually refers to the light emitted in a downward direction and involves luminaries that distribute 90 to 100% of light in the general direction of the surface.

Direct Glare - Typically associated with bright areas such as windows and ceilings which are outside the region being viewed. Results from high luminances or inadequately shielded light sources in the field view.

Drum-style Shade – Cylinder in appearance, where the diameter of the shade is the same at the top and bottom.

Faux – By definition means fake which refers to finishes and materials such as “faux suede”.

Finial – A decorative and functional ornament, which fastens the lampshade to the harp.

Floor Lamp – A standing lamp used for general lighting, may also be referred to as a torchiere.

Fluorescent – Energy efficient bulbs, which uses about 20-40% less electricity than incandescent bulbs.

Foot Candles – Measurement of the light at an illuminated object.

Halogen – Often used for task or accent lighting, these small, hot-burning bulbs have a longer life and provide more light per watt.

Hard-Back Shade – A shade made with a vinyl or paper lining.

Hardwire Lighting – This refers to a permanent, traditional method of wiring, fixtures such as overhead, wall sconces, track and recessed lighting. These are wired directly to a building’s electrical system rather than plugged into the wall socket.

Harp – Hardware used to secure a lampshade to a base. Depending on the depth of the shade, they vary in size but are typically 8”, 10” or 12”.

Incandescent – Incandescent lights are the type of lights that most people are familiar with. These standard bulbs are inexpensive, reliable and available in many sizes and wattages. They produce a warm yellowish light and are commonly used in homes, restaurants and hotels.

Lumens – The measurement of light a bulb produces.

Luminaire – is a complete lighting unit consisting of lamp(s) and associated parts including ballasts used to distribute light, protect the lamps, equipment, and connect the lamps to the power supply.

Mini Lamp – An accent lamp, which is usually under 15” in height.

Pharmacy Lamp – Generally used for reading, this lamp can be adjusted to a comfortable height according to reading level. The metal or glass shade swivels for direct lighting.

Pleat – A straight, flat vertical fold of cloth, commonly used on Lampshades. Soft pleats are gentle and wavy, while hard pleats have sharp, defined edges.

Portable Lighting – Light fixtures (i.e. Lamps) that are easily moved and that can plug into a wall socket.

Socket – A component that holds the lamp base and supplies electrical power. Most lamps are equipped with 3-way standard sockets. Never exceed the maximum wattage generally shown on the socket.

Six-Way Floor Lamp - Reaching a maximum of up to 600 watts, this floor lamp can light large areas. It is a 3-way “mogul” bulb surrounded by three additional bulbs allowing six different lighting levels.

Soft Shade – Creating an elegant look, these shades are made with a fabric inner lining and outer material.

Swing-Arm Floor Lamp – Floor lamp with a horizontal double arm. This functional light source can be moved side to side for reading or project lighting.

Task Lighting – Lighting that is directed to a specific area. Supplements the ambient lighting when specific visual tasks such as reading, sewing, or food preparation require higher illumination.

Tiffany – Refers to the Art Nouveau style of glass-shaded lamps designed by Louis C. Tiffany in the early 20th century.

Torchiere – A standing floor lamp that directs light upward. Combined with table lamps or other accent lighting, torchieres can make a room feel cozy.

Wattage – The amount of electric power required by a bulb.