Choices of lighting Your choice will be determined by the room's layout and furnishings. "If you have end tables at either side of a sofa, it makes sense to have two matching lamps on the tables," says Glen Robinson, General Manager of Merchandising at Beacon Lighting. "You can also use a matching floor lamp in the corner near the TV, for a relaxing ambient light. If you don't have end tables, use a floor lamp by the sofa - a lot of the new lamps stand quite low and work well with contemporary furniture."A formal, symmetrical arrangement, such as the aforementioned end tables, callsfor matching lamps. In a more casual setting, feel free to mix up lamp bases and shades.