Electric Lantern Table Lamps

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 11/05/2021

Take you home decor back to the frontier with an electric lantern table lamp. These are what they used to light homes in the old west, and in coal mines during the early times of our country. Now they can be yours, minus the need for fuel. Electric lanterns are simple but classic, and they give off a steady light that actually feels like real flickering fire from an oil lamp.

Buying Guide

Electric lantern table lamps are an incredibly attractive addition to any living space or table. The beauty of this specific type of light source is it's versatile. It can act as a table lamp or lantern. You can also hang it or let it stand on the table. Also, it's an interestingly pleasing piece of decor.

Keep in mind that there are plenty of varieties of electric lantern table lamps. It's easy to get lost and confused with all of the choices available. To help you find the perfect one for you, this article is going to be an electric lantern table lamp buying guide.

What are electric lantern table lamps typically crafted from?

While it is true that electric lantern table lamps may come in plastic or wood, the most common material is metal. Hence, this section of the article is going to focus on the different metal types used to make such kind of lamp.

Stainless Steel - It's the most popular form of metal used for lantern table lamps. Stainless steel comes in varying grades, but most are resistant to corrosion. This means that this type of lamp can last for a very long time. On the downside, stainless steel is expensive when compared to other metal types.
Iron - It's a metal that has dwindled in popularity in the last few decades. One reason for this is because iron is susceptible to rust. On the upside, it's a relatively economical material, which means that an iron-constructed lantern table lamp is an excellent choice if your primary goal is to save money.
Brass - It's a material that is not as popular compared to iron and stainless steel. Brass has a unique kind of beauty. It looks naturally desirable for a metal and only grows more beautiful as it ages. Brass may be rust-resistant but it does corrode, which is the biggest downside of the material.

What type of bulbs can be used in electric lantern table lamps?

Since you are shopping for a lantern table lamp, you already know that it will come with a light bulb. These days, light bulbs are either incandescent, CFL or LED. Knowing the difference between the different types brings you closer to finding the right lantern table lamp for you.

Incandescent - This is the oldest form of light bulb. By definition, incandescent means emitting light through heating. This kind of light bulb typically provides a yellowish glow, which is excellent for setting a relaxing mood. It's also the cheapest form of light bulb. The downside with an incandescent lamp is it's not very energy efficient.
CFL - This type of light bulb is a generation above the incandescent. It's also cheaper compared to LED lights. It provides a brighter light compared to incandescent, but not as harsh compared to LED. However, a CFL bulb is not as energy efficient compared to LED.
LED - It's one of the newest forms of lighting technology. It provides a very bright light, which can be harsh at times. It's recommended that LED lamps should come with a diffuser or opaque shade as a way of diffusing light. While LED light bulbs are costly, they are very energy efficient. This means lower electricity bills. In the long run, they are the more economical option.