Anatomy of a Swag Lamp

Think of a swag lamp as a portable version of a pendant fixture. When hanging a permanently installed lamp proves impractical, the easy-to-position capabilities of a swag lamp may fit the bill. Purchase a swag lamp as a finished appliance or create your own with a purchased kit.

Hanging Hardware

One or more visible hooks support a swag lamp and its wiring. Install the hook for the lamp at the position where the lamp will hang. Use appropriate anchoring devices, such as wallboard anchors or toggles, for the main weight-bearing hook. The weight of the lamp may dislodge a simple screwed-in hook. Hang the loop at the top of the lamp on the hook. The secondary hook supports only the chain and wire and receives less strain. Some versions offer two fixtures coming from a single plug for a double swag lamp, requiring two anchored hooks.

Electrical Power

Power for the swag lamp comes as a visible but unobtrusive electrical wire running from the lamp to the wall outlet. The wire runs through or alongside a decorative chain, which bears the weight of the lamp. A switch installed on the wire allows easy on-off control of the lamp. For outlets controlled by a wall switch, simply leave the lamp switch in the "on" position and use the wall switch to turn power on and off.

Lamp Shade

The decorative shade of a swag lamp offers a wide variety of decorating choices. From reproductions of antique Tiffany shades to wildly modern versions, the shade affords a highly personal decorating statement. Interchangeable shades allow you to redecorate without discarding the whole fixture, although not all lamps are suited for shade exchange. When the shade rests within a frame and can be removed without dismantling, replace it to redecorate.

Bulbs

Most swag lamp fixtures hold a single light bulb in a traditional threaded receptacle. This format allows the use of energy-saving bulbs as well as ordinary bulbs. Any standard base bulb, including compact fluorescent bulbs, fits the fixture.

Benefits

The flexibility of a swag lamp offers a way to add light to areas where a floor or table lamp won't work. Adding overhead light without threading wiring through ceiling and walls gives the most non-electrically-skilled homeowner an option for adding light to a room. The ease of repositioning inherent in the design of swag lamps makes rearranging a room a simpler task than working around fixed lighting.

Exceptions

Lamp designer Jim Hoyle states that increased popularity of swag lamps has led to them being designed as direct-wired fixtures suspended by chains as well as the more familiar free-hanging style.

Warnings

Most of the weight of the lamp rests on one hook. Anchor it well to avoid having the fixture pull the hook from the ceiling. Hang the lamp high enough to allow people to walk beneath it, unless it is over a large piece of furniture.

References

• Jim Hoyle: Swag Lamps: What Are They ?
• Swag Lamps Revealed