Vintage Swag 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
26/05/2022
Along with the craze of all things mid-century modern comes the return of the swag lamp. These practical lamps were a must-have in the days when overhead lamps were plugged into wall outlets. And even when overhead hanging lamps could be hardwired into your ceiling, they still had a purpose as many builders didn't consider where the center of your dining table would actually be placed. Today swag lamps are as much of a design statement as they are functional, with the swag cord adding a cool throwback look to your decor.
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Our Picks
1
Single Bulb Vintage Swag Lamp
17 Stories
This contemporary-style vintage swag lamp features a brass accent on its understated and shadeless design. Fifteen feet of cord allow you to plug the cord into a wall outlet and swag the light over to any place in your room. Requires a 60-watt dimmable light bulb, not included.
$56.99
Designer Advice:
Think Scandinavian design with clean, geometric lines. The black woven fabric cord and beautiful brass finish give the hanging swag lamp a vintage vibe. Run the cord up the wall to attach one of the hooks (included), swag the cord over to the spot you want the light to hang down and install the second hook. Adjust the amount of swag to your taste.
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2
Industrial Vintage Swag Lamp
A matte bronze metal shade ends in a copper pillar which is attached to 14.75' of black cord in this vintage swag lamp. The lamp requires an incandescent 100-watt E26/E27 light bulb, and the shade measures 8.66" in length.
Designer Advice:
The Industrial design of this vintage swag lamp suits a modern farmhouse decor style down to a T. Although the shade color is listed as bronze, the color is so dark it's almost indistinguishable from the black cord. Perfect for swagging over a dining table, you'll need to provide the ceiling hooks. Alternatively, you can use this as a bedside lamp and create a wall bracket to make a lower swag.
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3
Vintage Tiffany Swag Lamp
Bloomsbury Market
The translucent rain glass petals on this 70s hanging lamp are joined together with black leading and accented with subtle ruby jewels. Uses a single dimmable LED 60-watt light bulb in a standard base. The 15' of cord gives you lots of options of where to hang this lamp. Comes with three wall and ceiling hooks.
Designer Advice:
Tiffany lamps suit many decor styles, from farmhouse to country to traditional. The swag feature gives this lamp a more casual look. It allows you to hang a light above an end table that's part of a floating conversational grouping. This option prevents you from running table lamp cords across the floor, where they can become a tripping hazard.
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4
Distressed Vintage Single Pendant Swag Lamp
One Allium Way®
A true throwback to the vintage swag lamps of the mid-50s, this single pendant swag lamp looks like it could have come right out of someone's attic. The hanging light is made from premium birch wood and features a durable rope for safety.
$95.99
$101.99
Designer Advice:
We like the clever cord stay feature that comes with this lamp. Choose where to swag the 11.5' of cord length and then attach the cord stay button where it strikes the wall. This allows you to fix the stay to the wall with the self-tapping screw provided in the packaging. Your cord will now stay firmly against the wall and not sag in place.
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5
Vintage Pierced Pattern Swag Lamp
Rosdorf Park
Pretty patterned piercings allow the light to shine through the natural colored lampshade on this vintage swag lamp. At the heart of each piercing is a small crystal bauble that adds even more sparkle to the lamp. The shade measures 11" tall and spans 5.9" wide.
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6
Lantern Style Vintage Swag Lamp
One Allium Way®
Reminiscent of antique lanterns, this vintage swag lamp with a 16' white cord contains a dimmer switch located 36" from the wall plug. The pretty lantern has a beveled glass cage with decorative crystal beads on its antique base.
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7
Vintage Iron Swag Lamp
Bungalow Rose
Crafted in a pendant light style, this Moroccan iron swag lamp features an exquisite handpainted finish. The black shade is delicately pierced with scroll work that allows the warm light to shine through. Complemented by 16' of black cord, this versatile swag lamp can be hung anywhere.
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8
Set of Three Vintage Swag Lamps
17 Stories
These three plug-in swag pendant lamps are the best of the original swag lamp style with exposed sockets and woven fabric cords. Each light has its own 15' cord and needs an individual plug. You can easily change the lamp's look by changing the light bulb shape. Add a vintage-type bulb, or go for an oversized designer bulb.
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Vintage Swag Lamps
