Mood lamps are lighting devices that are used to establish a particular feeling or mood within a room. In some cases, this type of lamp may be a small device that is plugged into an outlet and creates points of light near the floor line of the room. Other examples of a mood lamp may be used to illuminate specific points along the walls or cast a soft light over a larger piece of furniture in the room.
Mood lighting differ somewhat from other lamps in that their purpose is not so much practical as aesthetic. Reading lamps for example tend to provide bright light to a given space in order to make it possible to read a book or magazine without creating strain on the eyes. Overhead lighting is used when there is a need to illuminate the majority of the space, such as in a classroom or laboratory. By contrast, a mood lamp is used to help create a specific ambiance within the room as a means of making the space more attractive and welcoming in some manner.
There are many different ways to make use of mood lighting in order to create specific moods within a space. Soft and subdued lighting is often employed to establish a romantic setting. A mood lamp that produces a series of colored lights around the room may be ideal for a party atmosphere. Rooms dimly lit with lamps placed at strategic points near the floor of the room may help develop the ideal environment for meditation or reflection.
One of the more common examples of a mood lamp is a simple shaded lamp featuring multiple light settings. The settings range from casting a dim light to a bright one. By adjusting the setting, it is possible to alter the feel of the space in seconds.
Small lighting accessories like the night light are also another example of a mood lamp. The tiny bulbs used in these types of lamps provide basic illumination and can be very effective when plugged into outlets that are positioned near the baseboards. The low cost of nightlights also make them one of the least expensive options when it comes to mood lighting.
Lava lamps are among some of the more popular mood lighting options today. While many people associated the lava lamp with the decade of the 1960’s, this type of mood lamp has continued to be used in a number of settings. Along with producing an interesting and entertaining display of shifting colors, the lamps also produce a general lighting effect that can alternately be stimulating or soothing, depending on the selection of colors and the speed with which the colors shift within the body of the lamp.
One of the newer options is the LED mood lamp. Like night lights, it tends to cast a subtle glow that creates the ideal space for meditating or a romantic encounter. These types of lamps often can be purchased in sets and controlled with one central control device, making it much easier to adjust the amount of ambient light quickly.
