{"id":224,"date":"2026-01-05T11:24:05","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T11:24:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.lyco.co.uk\/blog\/?p=224"},"modified":"2026-03-20T16:26:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T16:26:59","slug":"touch-lamps-how-they-work-where-they-shine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.lyco.co.uk\/blog\/touch-lamps-how-they-work-where-they-shine\/","title":{"rendered":"Touch Lamps – How they work & where they shine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Posted on 13 March 2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Author: Andrew Evangelidis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last updated on 21 September 2021<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Touch lamps are generally found by most people who have purchased them to be more convenient than conventional lamps. This is because you don\u2019t have to feel your way along a cable or clutch at the lamp-holder when you need light.\u00a0Touch lamps<\/a>\u00a0usually offer a much more generous target than a discreet on\/off toggle switch. You simply need to touch the base or another metal part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to sheer practicality, touch control also offers aesthetic potential. Lighting designers can make modern lights simpler, more minimalistic, with clean, imaginative designs. They don\u2019t have to ponder the position of the switch, and you don\u2019t have to fumble for it. The same is true of traditional lamps, where the emphasis is often on elegant lines. All styles of table or desk lamp can benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How touch lamps work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once past the novelty factor, a touch switch is an intuitive way of operating things\u2014not unlike the touch screen on most smart phones. In fact, the technology in a touch lamp is akin to a capacitive touch screen, relying on electricity stored in the human body for operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On\/off<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With a touch lamp, the base and other metal parts act almost like an antenna, loaded with a feeble electric charge that is harmless to humans. When the lamp is touched the human body effectively adds to the capacitance (electrical storage capacity) of the lamp, and the memory circuit that detects this change toggles the light on or off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dimming control<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many touch lamps allow dimming control as well as simple on\/off functionality. This works in a similar way, with memory circuitry altering the power reaching the bulb in increments. Touching the lamp base switches the light on, and brightness alters with each subsequent touch. The final touch switches the light off again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In touch with the right light<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For practical reasons, touch technology is most used in lamps within arm\u2019s reach, and tends not to be found in floor lamps. Most touch lamps are either desk or table lamps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are different types of lamps to suited to different locations. Here we take a look at some touch lamps and where they would look best:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bedrooms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A bedside table lamp is useful for complementary lighting, and doubles as a handy reading light. For the traditional bedroom, the set of two Gloucester Touch Lamps<\/a> are ideal. These lamps offer dimming control and have an antique brass finish with Alabaster glass shades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the modern bedroom the Lucide Len<\/a> blends easily with many styles of d\u00e9cor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Offices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although regular table lamps can be used in an office, a more specific office light is the desk lamp. This is usually defined by it possessing an adjustable head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look for different finishes to suit either a contemporary or traditional office. We have desk lamps available in chrome<\/a>, brass<\/a>, and black<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Living rooms, dining rooms, and hallways<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In a living room, dining room, or hallway, a table lamp usually provides complementary lighting. It brightens corners or alcoves, maximises space and creates mood. In a hallway it has a welcoming role to play. Multi-layered lighting is one of the key components in successful interior design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Convenient to operate is the decorative Tyso Table Lamp<\/a>, in an antique brass finish. With a gold-coloured shade, warm brass finish and touch control dimming it can certainly help create a welcoming, relaxing ambience. The Lucide Paolo<\/a> on the other hand is perfect for adding sparkle to a room, with its patterned silver style and decorative lighting pattern shade. However, for simple elegance, the Dar Jot Touch Lamp<\/a> is difficult to beat. Its polished chrome base is complemented by a opal glass shade. This classy touch-dimmable lamp is ideal for a contemporary home or hospitality premises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Touch and go<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Often, the simplest inventions are the ones we appreciate most. They make life just that little bit easier. With a touch lamp, light is only ever an instant away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still not found exactly what you\u2019re looking for? Take a look at our\u00a0full range of touch lamps<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking for more inspiration and information? Try our\u00a0Lighting Advice section<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Posted on 13 March 2014 Author: Andrew Evangelidis Last updated on 21 September 2021 Touch lamps are generally found by most people who have purchased them to be more convenient than conventional lamps. This is because you don\u2019t have to feel your way along a cable or clutch at the lamp-holder when you need light.\u00a0Touch […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":614,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-224","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sin-categoria"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.lyco.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/224","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.lyco.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.lyco.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lyco.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lyco.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=224"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lyco.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/224\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":752,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lyco.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/224\/revisions\/752"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lyco.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/614"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.lyco.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=224"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lyco.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=224"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.lyco.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=224"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}