A cordless dining table lamp brings light to the center of the table, where no cable can reach. Choose a low lamp that keeps the view clear across the table, charge it during the afternoon, and light it when you sit down. It plays the part of a candle, and lasts the whole meal.
Why put a lamp on the dining table?
Most dining tables are lit from above, by a pendant or a ceiling light. That light helps when you set the table. During the meal, it can feel high and flat.
A lamp on the table brings the light down to the level of the plates and the faces. It does what candles have always done: it sets one warm point at the center. A plug-in lamp cannot sit there without a cable across the floor and the tablecloth. A cordless lamp can.
Our cordless rechargeable table lamps, Silex and Auren, both list the dining table among their places. Neither needs an outlet while it is lit.
And the sideboard?
The sideboard is a fixed place, usually against a wall. A plug-in lamp suits it well. Cline Vesper, in beige marble under a bronze cone, sends its light down onto the sideboard and the objects around it. It completes the cordless lamp on the table rather than replacing it.
What size lamp suits a dining table?
A common rule of thumb is to keep anything at the center of the table below eye level when seated, so guests can see each other across it. A low lamp respects that. A tall one divides the table in two.
- Auren is 9.4 inches tall and 7.1 inches wide. It leaves room for dishes around it, and its fabric drum gives a warm golden light.
- Silex is 11.8 inches tall, with a dome 9.4 inches across. Its light falls from under the dome onto the travertine.
On a long table, two lamps set apart each light one half of the table. On a round or square table, one lamp at the center is enough. Measure your table and your chairs before you choose.
Charging and care at the table
Charge it in the afternoon
Both lamps take about 6 hours to charge and give about 12 hours of light. In practice, charge the lamp in the afternoon and bring it to the table when you set it. A full charge covers dinner with hours to spare.
Auren charges through a magnetic connector under the base and switches on with a touch on top. No cable shows while it is lit. For battery life over the years, read how long rechargeable table lamps last.
Spills on stone
A dining table means wine, lemon and vinaigrette. Travertine, like marble, is a calcareous stone, sensitive to acids. It is also porous. Wipe any spill on the base of Silex at once with a soft cloth, and avoid acidic cleaners.
Auren has a base of natural stone with a porous surface. Treat it the same way: wipe spills quickly, then dust with a soft, dry cloth. Keep its fabric shade away from candle flames. Our care guide for stone and fabric gives the full instructions.
From the collection
- Auren: natural beige stone and a beige textured fabric drum, 9.4 inches tall, cordless.
- Silex: light beige travertine under a matte dark bronze dome, 11.8 inches tall, cordless.
- Cline Vesper: beige marble with black veining and a dark bronze cone, 15.4 inches tall, plug-in, for the sideboard.
Questions
Can a cordless lamp stay lit through a whole dinner?
Yes. Silex and Auren give about 12 hours of light on a full charge, from a 4,000 mAh battery and a 3 W LED. Charge the lamp during the afternoon, which takes about 6 hours for a full charge, and it will last through dinner and well beyond.
How tall should a dining table lamp be?
Low enough that guests can see each other across the table. A common rule of thumb is to keep centerpieces below eye level when seated. Auren, at 9.4 inches, and Silex, at 11.8 inches, both stay low. Measure your own table and chairs before you choose.
Will wine stain a stone lamp?
It can. Travertine is porous and, like marble, sensitive to acids, and wine and lemon are acidic. Wipe any spill at once with a soft cloth and avoid acidic cleaners. The natural stone base of Auren is also porous: treat it the same way, quickly and gently.
Explore the rechargeable table lamps for your dining table.