Covered Wagon Lamp

Vanessa Weber Interior Design Expert

Vanessa is a New York-based designer specializing in architectural lighting. Whether you are planning an event, want to illuminate your backyard retreat or simply need advice on what lamp to purchase for your bedroom, Vanessa will be more than happy to share her knowledge and expertise.

Updated 12/04/2021

Venture into the frontier or follow the Oregon trail all without leaving your home. If you love stories of taming the West, then you probably have fantasies about covered wagons and adventures on horseback against incredible odds. That is why we offer a few nostalgic individuals our collection of covered wagon lamps. These perfectly resemble the covered wagons of the 1800s. See collection for more.

Buying Guide

A covered wagon lamp is a popular choice of lighting for its Old World charm. However, covered wagon lamps are not your regular lighting fixtures so it can be tricky to shop for one. Fortunately, you've come to the right place, so you have nothing to worry about. This article is going to help you with your endeavor as we have buying tips for covered wagon lamps. Check them out!

What decorating styles can be complemented with a covered wagon lamp?

Generally, a covered wagon lamp fits very well to a traditional, rustic, farm-inspired or industrial style room. It may fit into a contemporary or modern style space, but that's already tricky, and it's easy to make a mistake. Hence, it's not advisable, unless you know what you are doing.

In most cases, shoppers buy a wagon lamp because of the unique design. It offers illumination underneath the wagon's cover. If this sounds like what you want, then your primary concern would be the style.

What are covered wagon lamps typically crafted from?

Most covered wagon lamps are primarily crafted from wood, plastic, and metal. Each of these materials has its own pros and cons.

Wood - This is by far the most commonly used material to construct a covered wagon lamp with. Furthermore, durability and price can vary depending on the wood type. For example, solid wood is the most durable and beautiful, but it's also the most expensive material for a wagon lamp. On the other side of the spectrum is fiberboard. It's very affordable but don't expect it to last very long. In the middle of the spectrum is engineered wood, which is reasonably durable and reasonably affordable. On the downside, an engineered wood product is susceptible to moisture and water damage.
Metal - Covered wagon lamps that are made from metal are not that common. However, they usually come with beautiful and intricate designs. Metal is a very durable material and you don't have to worry about it becoming a fire hazard. On the downside, it can be costly depending on the quality and craftsmanship of the covered wagon lamp.
Plastic - A covered wagon lamp that is made from plastic has the advantage of being affordable. It's perhaps the most economical option, which is an excellent choice if you don't have a large budget to work with. However, plastic tends to look cheap.

What kind of bulb should you choose for your covered wagon lamp?

Since you are buying a covered wagon lamp, it will naturally come with a bulb. Hence, it's best that you know the most common bulb types.

Incandescent Bulb - This is the traditional bulb. It has the advantage of being very affordable. However, it produces heat and it is the least energy efficient when compared to other types of bulbs.
LED - This is perhaps the newest type of lighting. LED barely produces heat, and the energy efficiency is probably the highest. On the downside, it's the most expensive.
CFL - Compact fluorescent lamps are a generation above the incandescent bulb and a generation below compared to the LED. Hence, CFLs are generally cheaper than LED and more energy efficient compared to incandescent bulbs. However, CFL also not as energy efficient as LED, and it's more expensive when compared to incandescent.