Intrigued by the range of craft lamps available, but not sure which is the right one for you?
We’ve put together a helpful guide to give you some information about what each lamp does, and how they work best for different projects, work areas, and even for specific kinds of crafters. Take a look and then take your pick – there’s a useful lamp for everyone.
Download a PDF version of this guide for offline reading.
LED Lights
Many craft lamps make use of the low energy usage and pure colour of LEDs, giving you a bright, white light (or variations of this depending on your chosen lamp) that means you won’t strain your eyes and can be more confident about the colour choices you make. Colour matching is made easy, and tiny details are illuminated as clearly as possible.
Magnifying Lamps
Magnifying lamps are great for those who work on projects with tiny detailing or for those whose eyesight isn’t quite what it used to be. Don’t give up on your stitching or crafting! Just figure out how and where you craft most comfortably and pick a magnifying lamp that best suits your technique and location.
Hand-held
Hand-held magnifiers are useful for brief moments of magnification of projects with smaller sections of detailed work, e.g. embroidery on a larger project. They can also be useful for illuminating detailed work on darker sections of fabric.
Hung around the neck
One of these may well be the perfect choice for hand-held projects, whether by preference or because you have no suitable surface workspace, and for crafts and projects that have multiple and/or repeating details. The magnifier is suspended around the crafter’s neck, freeing up both hands while still allowing a clearer, magnified view.
Desk Lamps
For table-based projects with smaller detailed sections, a desk lamp with an adjustable arm means it is easier to manoeuvre, making it possible to position it exactly where you need it. They are often battery-powered and lightweight, meaning you can easily move it between locations as needed. A desk lamp with a clamp has a greater ease of movement due to the more solid connection between lamp and table (the clamp). It is quick and easy to move your magnifier to various levels (shelf, dining table, side table, etc.) based on where you need to work. Some magnifier desk lamps can also switch between being a regular lamp and an illuminated magnifier, making them very versatile as they can serve as both regular home furniture and a crafting accessory. This versatility can make them a great choice for the casual or occasional crafter. The larger, heavier versions, either with or without a clamp, can be moved as needed, but are better suited for more permanent positioning.
Floor Lamp
Some floor lamps can be changed from large floor lamp to desk lamp to clip-on lamp, making them a great choice for people who work on different types of craft. Ideal for projects with small details, and for multiple craft areas with different amounts of space, some lamps also have a clip attachment, allowing instructions or charts to be held securely and remain easily visible.
Non-magnifying Lamps
Sometimes all you need is a little extra light. These special lamps give you pure light to work with and a few little extras here and there. For craft enthusiasts, casual crafters, and even just office use, these little lamps can make themselves at home anywhere!
Desk Lamp
Ideal for desk-based craft spaces, where you are crafting at different times of day, this type of craft lamp can come with different colour settings, changing your light from warm to natural to cool. A brighter setting might be perfect for colour matching or more complex and detailed work, whilst warmer or softer lighting could help to eliminate eye strain.
Some desk craft lamps include a storage pot at the base, which could be handy for crafters who regularly swap tools or require items such as scissors to be constantly to hand. Alternatively, desk lamps with a tray at the base could be just what the desk-based crafter is looking for – a safe place to put stitch markers, pins, and so much more, as you work on your project.
Floor Lamp
Simple but versatile, floor lamps for crafting often have a flexible neck, making them adjustable for height and also the angle of the light source. If it is mains operated, it could be ideal for those with a dedicated crafting space.