Designer desk lamps are all about the perfect balance of form and function. Whether you like them contemporary or retro, here’s our updated guide to how our versions of the classic adjustable arm light can make your study a cooler place to work…
The adjustable desk light: a design classic
The style of adjustable, long-armed light that we all instantly recognise as a desk lamp is a British design classic – one that (like so many great designs) owes its existence to a happy accident. In 1932, car designer George Cawardine was working on vehicle suspension concepts when he hit upon a spring-based mechanism which he realised would be ideal for task lighting. He registered the patent and began manufacturing ‘Anglepoise’ lamps for doctors and dentists and then in 1935, a small one for the home, the 1227 model:
It proved incredibly popular, and the rest, as they say, is history. Not that everyone approved of point-able desk lights. In 1949 the moral crusader and BBC executive Michael Standing banned their use unless ceiling lights were also lit, on the grounds that a man working with only a low-wattage lamp would nurture ‘furtive ideas’ and produce ‘degenerate programme material.’ (Seems excessive but perhaps he was onto something: had Standing’s rule not been rescinded we might have avoided Pets Win Prizes).
Function and form
The desk light is, of course, the ultimate in task lighting. But the great thing about desk lamps is that they can also be beautiful and incredibly cool; offering decorative light as well as task light, form as well as function. That’s very much the way we see it at Pooky, anyway: if you’re got to have a desk, you may as well make it as stylish as humanly possible. Have a look at our designer desk lamps and see for yourself…Statement desk lamps
If you have a large workspace and want to make a bit of a sensational statement, then we proudly present a couple of really striking desk lamps. One of our tallest table lamps, at 65cm, is the Alain. It comes in black or white versions, is very impressive and will make even the most mundane paperwork seem terribly important. 
Alain in white - Unfortunately the Alain is no longer available, but please take a look at our extensive range of desk lamps here
The Cygnet's beautiful weighted marble base is the anchor point for a swooping arch of lovely brasswork. We suggest you finish it with a parchment, fabric, glass or metal shade and revel in this little beauty: 
Cygnet desk light - Unfortunately the Cygnet is no longer available, but please take a look at our extensive range of desk lamps here
Meanwhile, the Mo is an show stopping angular vision in brass and black. We spent an unusual amount of time getting the angle just right: 
Mo desk light - Unfortunately the Mo desk light is no longer available, but please check out the Mo floor lamp here.
Retro desk lamps
Well-made desk lights have a knack of being contemporary yet with a certain retro cool. A perfect example is the Camus – a delicate, curvy lamp in antique silver. 
Camus desk lamp - Unfortunately the Camus is no longer available, but please take a look at our extensive range of desk lamps here
The antique bronze Bentham has an equally lovely retro feel, with beautiful joint levers that you can enjoy fiddling with instead of doing your homework. 
Bentham desk light - Unfortunately the Bentham is no longer available, but please take a look at our extensive range of desk lamps here
Midcentury-style desk lamps
A sub-genre of ‘retro’ (possibly) is the midcentury modern style – that glorious golden age of design in the 1950s and 1960s, when people like Arne Jacobsen and George Nelson thought they were designing the future… and it turned out they were right. The Goldie is all about the vulgar amounts of gold leaf lining the shade (which pours out lovely, warm, golden light) and the striking shape, reminiscent of Arne Jacobsen’s AJ floor lamp. (Check out our post on classic mid-century modern lamp designs to see if you agree). 
Goldie desk light - Unfortunately the Goldie is no longer available, but please take a look at our extensive range of desk lamps here
Small designer desk lamps
Most of our desk lights are pretty tall, but if you’re after something a little less imposing – perhaps on shelf or as a bedside reading lamp – then we have some smaller desk lamps. The Milne is 44cm high, very elegant in its nickel finish, and with the irresistible lever joints: 
Milne desk light - Unfortunately the Milne is no longer available, but please take a look at our extensive range of desk lamps here
And finally there’s the Winkle, a bijou 43cm high, which is the desk lamp version of the Winkle wall light. It boasts three hinges, making it a very flexible friend, perfect as a reading or bedside light. 
Winkle desk light - Unfortunately the Winkle is no longer available, but please take a look at our extensive range of desk lamps here
So those are Pooky’s designer desk lamps – study time just got classier! All are wired up with the classy Pooky twisted flex as standard. Free delivery and returns available in most cases. Browse all the desk lights here. And while you’re at it, take a peek at our equally lovely table lamps and floor lamps. Having trouble deciding? Read our guide to choosing a desk lamp for your study.
