Is a mushroom lamp bright enough to read by?

It mainly gives soft, diffuse ambient light through its glass cap. For a short read, a bulb of about 400 lumens is enough. For long reading, pair it with a reading light or a lamp with a directed beam.

What bulb goes in a glass mushroom lamp?

A 2700 K LED bulb, which runs cool and flatters opal glass. Respect the socket and maximum wattage on the product page, and keep a bulb close in size to the original so the globe lights evenly.

How do I clean a glass mushroom lamp?

Unplug the lamp and let the bulb cool. Wipe the glass with a soft, slightly damp cloth, then dry it. Avoid abrasive products and handle the cap with both hands if it comes off.

Where should a mushroom lamp go in a living room?

On a sideboard, a console or a shelf, where its silhouette stays visible. Give it space around it. A cordless version moves from sideboard to coffee table through the evening, for ambient light where you are sitting.

What is the difference between opal glass and pâte de verre?

Opal glass is milky and even: it diffuses very regular light. Pâte de verre shows variations in tone and translucency, for a livelier look close to Art Deco objects.

Mushroom Lamps: Opal Glass, Gold, Chrome & 70s

The mushroom lamp: a shape born in the 60s and 70s

The mushroom-shaped lamp appeared in 1960s and 70s interiors, when designers were exploring round shapes, molded glass and colored plastics. It expressed a wish for softness: no corners, no visible bulb, a light that seems to come from the object itself. Back in force in today's decor, it has become a classic, as much at ease in a japandi interior as in a pop room with bright colors, which is why vintage mushroom lamps are sought after again. Our models are inspired by that era without copying any specific piece.

Opal glass, pâte de verre or color: choosing a material

Opal glass is the most iconic. Milky, it diffuses light evenly: lit, the lamp becomes a glowing sculpture; off, it keeps the look of a porcelain object. It is also the material our brand is named after.

Pâte de verre gives a more nuanced result, with slight variations in tone and translucency. Its Art Deco style suits a bedroom or a living room in warm tones, with velvet and dark wood. Our coffee-brown model is colored glass with a pâte de verre look.

The 70s burgundy version embraces color. It livens up a white shelf, a pale wood sideboard or a desk, and works well with rattan, terrazzo and patterned textiles.

What size mushroom table lamp, and where to put it

Format	Typical height	Best spot
Small mushroom lamp	8 to 12 in (20 to 30 cm)	Shelf, narrow nightstand, bookcase
Mushroom table lamp	12 to 18 in (30 to 45 cm)	Sideboard, console, desk, wide nightstand
Large mushroom lamp	18 in (45 cm) and up	Entry console, floor beside an armchair
Mushroom floor lamp	See product page, often over 40 in (100 cm)	Living room corner, beside a sofa

A mushroom lamp is meant to be seen: give it space around it, at least a hand's width on each side. On a sideboard, it pairs well with a stack of books or a low vase. As a bedside lamp, choose a size that leaves room on the top, and check that it gives enough light to read: the diffuse light of a globe suits ambiance better than long reading sessions.

The light of a glass globe

A glass cap spreads light in every direction: down onto the furniture, up onto the wall. The result is ambient light without glare. A 2700 K LED bulb heightens the warmth of opal glass and runs cool, which is easier on the glass. Allow about 200 to 400 lumens for a table lamp. Check each product page for the bulb socket and maximum wattage, and keep a bulb the same size as the original so the globe lights evenly.

Care and precautions

Glass and pâte de verre-style glass are fragile: set the lamp on a stable surface, away from the edge of the furniture and out of reach of a jumping pet. To clean it, unplug it, let the bulb cool, then wipe the glass with a soft, slightly damp cloth. If the cap comes off, handle it with both hands. For outdoor use, only take a mushroom lamp outside if its product page lists a suitable IP rating.