Milk Glass 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 22/08/2022

Perfect for evoking a vintage feel in your living space, a milk glass lamp is chic and sophisticated. The white color of the glass will lend a classy antique look to any room, whether it’s a lamp for a bedside table or a reading lamp in a study. Plus, milk glass is a versatile choice of material as it will match with most existing décor schemes. Our design experts have picked out some of the best milk glass lamps for you below.

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Our Picks

Black Base Vintage Milk Glass Lamp

Inspired by 1930s and 1940s designs, this one-of-a-kind lamp stands on a matte black base. Made from glass and metal, it includes an in-line on/off switch and a plug-in wire for easy access. It measures 10” tall and 9” wide.

Designer Advice:

An ideal choice for a bedside table, this lamp’s small size would look great even in a small bedroom. We recommend pairing it with neutral furniture for the best look.The cute shape makes this lamp a good option for a nursery, too, as it will act as a nightlight without being too distracting for your little one.

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Hobnail Milk Glass Lamp

Originating from the 1950s, this lamp has a hobnail globe center that gives it a cool retro look. It measures just over 12 inches tall and 6 inches wide, making it a good choice for a narrow side table.

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Textured Vintage Milk Glass Lamp

Certified vintage, this lamp has a textured middle and a matte finish everywhere else. Standing on a rounded base with scalloped edge detail, it has a matching scalloped top and gold detailing underneath the bulb area. It operates via a plug-in.

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Column Antique Milk Glass Lamp

This antique lamp is in excellent vintage condition. It features a cord that’s just over 70 inches and can be threaded through the base. The top has a bulb shape and thins out into a thin column shape with a marble base.

Designer Advice:

Slim and elegant, this lamp will add glamour to your bedroom instantly. As the milk glass is tinged with blue, our design experts recommend keeping your décor cool-toned. Instead of beige and taupe, go for stark white bedding. Alternatively, light blue bedding would look beautiful paired with this lamp and bring out the delicate blue undertones even more.

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Pendant Milk Lamp

Designed to hang from your ceiling, this pendant lamp shade additionally features a brass base. It is inspired by schoolhouse designs and features a six-foot height adjustable cord and chain. As for height, it measures approximately 12 and a half inches tall.

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Modern White Milk Glass Lamp

Made in India, this lamp has a contemporary design. Measuring exactly 12.5 inches tall, it features a round exposed bulb style and a cylindrical marble base connected by a gold stem. The cord length is six feet long.

Designer Advice:

If you need a small light for your study, this is an excellent option. Small enough to be unobtrusive but not too small that it won’t give out enough light, the exposed bulb design is simple yet chic. We recommend pairing it with contemporary furniture in white and plenty of gold accents to accentuate the gold detail even more.

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Slim Milk Lamp

Featuring two milk glass bulbs on either side of a slim gold stem, this lamp is elegant and contemporary. Made from glass, metal, and marble, it has two lights and a standard wall plug design. Two Type A bulbs are required.

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Set of 2 Milk Glass Lamps

Coming with LED bulbs included, this set includes two lamps. The bases are made of milk glass, whereas the shades are made from cotton with a bright white finish. Each lamp is relatively tall at just under 26 inches tall.

Designer Advice:

As these lamps are a pair, they’re a good choice for side tables on either side of a table or in a bedroom. Their glossy base and modern design are ideal for contemporary homes. However, to prevent these lamps from looking too dull, make sure to place them in a room with accents of color like blue or green.

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Milk Glass Lamps

Buying Guide

Vintage milk glass lamps make elegant additions to rooms. While a lamp is often necessary for lighting living spaces, it's better to choose the one that's capable of adding some ambiance to a room where it was previously lacking. An effortless decorating feature like a milk glass lamp can drastically change a room's look and feel. There's a wide variety of milk glass lamps available in the market today, which means you're guaranteed to get the lamp that fits your decorating needs.

Milk glass lamps, as you may already know, are similar to porcelain glass lamps. They may or may not come painted with designs like flowers which provide the vintage pieces with personality and uniqueness. A lot of us think they're out of bounds as these lamps can come with a hefty price tag. Although we won't deny the fact that they can be expensive, that doesn't mean you need to go broke just to get a single vintage milk glass lamp. As a matter of fact, you'll be able to find a lamp that's fitting for your budget, style, and personal preferences.

What you'll find below is a couple of pointers that will help you choose the best milk glass lamp for your home. Check them out!

How are you going to use your milk glass lamp?

To get the best glass lamp for you, you first need to consider how you'll be using it. For instance, you may need it to give you sufficient light when you're reading. If so, then you need a lamp that's wide enough as it'll allow enough light to get diffused over where you plan to sit, relax, and read.

Where to display a vintage milk glass lamp?

After you decide on your new lamp's use, the next thing you need to consider is where you'll place the lamp. It is important that you identify the lamp's placement as it will give you an idea on whether you'll use it as a room's focal point or a light source and accessory that will complement your room's décor.

What size of bulbs are suitable for a milk glass lamp?

If your intention is to install a high wattage bulb, then you need a larger lamp or at least a vintage lamp that comes with a wide top opening to ensure that the heat that's created within the lamp is capable of escaping.

How to measure for a vintage milk glass lamp?

Lastly, you'd have to make sure that your lamp is at the right height and width so the switch and light socket are covered. If this proves to be difficult, you'll need to add a riser or put a harp of a different size. Both will help raise a shade.

Ideally, the shade's height should measure ¾ of the base's height. This means if you have a base that measures in at 24 inches in height, then the shade's height should be 16 inches tall. The width of the shade, on the other hand, should be of the same measurement to the base's diameter.

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