What Are Swag Lamps, And Are They The Right Choice For Your Home?

While trends come and go, there's comfort in the fact that certain design elements have the power to last decades. Case in point: The swag lamp, which burst into the design scene in the 60s and 70s and remains a beloved lighting element in households today. It is a light fixture tethered to a ceiling hook by its wire and powered through an existing wall outlet. The casual, loose "swagger" of the cord connecting the fixture to the ceiling down to the outlet is where this iconic lamp gets its name.

Rather than being permanently anchored to a certain spot like traditional pendant lamps, swag lamps allow you to create a lighting system that is flexible and spontaneous. Attached to a swag hook, which you can place in any part of your ceiling, the swag lamp can be hung practically anywhere you'd like as long as your cord is long enough to plug into a wall outlet. As they are easy to install and adjust, these lamps are a hassle-free lighting option for renters, or for those who are still mulling over a more permanent lighting solution. Most often, they are used as accent lighting, complementing other light sources. The exposed cord also adds visual interest to your space to explore for your vaulted ceiling or in a modest apartment with a low ceiling. If a striking lighting solution that makes a stylish statement is what you're looking for, the swag light is for you.

Swag lamps are great for building up a room's mood and tone. They can highlight certain areas of a room given their flexibility. You can transform a dark corner to create a cozy reading nook or add more intimate lighting over your dining table.

They are also available in a variety of options. Whether you are shooting for a sleek industrial look, a cool mid-century modern, a charming farmhouse allure, or an eclectic bohemian aesthetic, there's surely one that will fit your home. IKEA has a wide choice of lamp shades that range from classic to contemporary, while Amazon offers swag lamp kits like this Lovefindahome Vintage Hanging Pendant Light ($60) or these DEMMEX Mosaic Pendant Lamps ($46.79). For an industrial bare-bulb look, this $24.99 Seaside Village Vintage Triple Pendant Light Cord is a multiple-hanging light fixture that will surely deliver an impressionable impact to any room.

Swag lights are great space-savers because they free up some much-needed floor space in smaller apartments or homes. Use them in the bedroom as bedside lighting to keep your nightstand uncluttered by bulky lamps. Finally, anyone with basic DIY skills will appreciate a swag lamp's minimum fuss for maximum results. You can forego the lengthy and costly process of hiring an electrician and install your swag light yourself.

Installing a swag light requires a light bulb, a lamp shade, a plug-in pendant light cord, and a ceiling hook or bracket. Make sure that your ceiling hook can support the lamp you've chosen, and that you follow precautions to correctly attach it to the ceiling to avoid any accidents. Use toggle bolts if you have a plaster or drywall ceiling for an extra secure hold. You should also ensure that your lightbulb's wattage and the cord and plug you pair it with are compatible. 

Err on the side of caution by adding 2 extra feet to the cord length you are planning to get. A longer cord will account for any height adjustments you may want to make while installing your lamp, and you can always create a stylish loop with the extra cord in keeping with the laid-back spirit of a swag lamp. Once you've strung your cord through the ceiling hook, you can now adjust the lamp's height. Hanging it too high will defeat its purpose of creating a moody and dramatic ambiance while leaving it too low could turn it into a collision hazard when walking around the room.