So, what’s so special about desk lamps; after all, a lamp’s a lamp, right? Wrong. Just because it’s called a desk lamp, doesn’t mean it has to be used to illuminate your paperwork – although, of course, it will do so wonderfully.

Lights feature in all homes and have a major effect on modern day lives. Modern design means that lighting is used to enhance an interior design with the use of intelligent mounting with the light itself in some cases becoming a decorative feature.

Desk lamps can perform all these functions and, because they occupy so little room, they can do so in even the tightest space. And, because they have the simplest wiring and the easiest switching, they are easy to install and operate. Most of them also have flexible arms, meaning they can be set to shed their light in any direction you wish.

Modern desk lamps are as far removed from the old anglepoise lamps as it’s possible to be. Gone, unless you want them, are those no-frills, jointed flexible arms, which have been replaced by infinitely adjustable, snake-like stands, making it possible to point the light in any direction without moving the base.

The old method of turning your desk lamp on and off was the toggle switch in the power cable but things have moved on with desk lamps that can be dimmed just by touching the base. The choices of light bulbs have also been expanded with halogen, fluorescent and now LED light bulbs giving a huge amount of choice.

Children love a good desk lamp and are ideal for use in a den or bedside light, the touch sensitive desk lamps also make a great party piece to impress their friends. With many vibrant styles and designs available they are spoilt for choice.

There is something for the young adults in the house particularly those who have left that school homework until the last minute. A desk lamp is great for giving the light needed in the early hours of the morning and allowing the rest of the house to sleep undisturbed.

Immensely movable, desk lamps can be moved to wherever their light is needed; they come in portable, pocket sized versions, clamp on versions, luxury versions, and, if you’re in retro mood, the old anglepoise models are still out there too.

Duncan Munday has invested considerableyears in the lighting design business and has seen lighting fashions come and go. He has brought together some of the most inspirational fashions with his website desk lamp UK.