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How to Decorate with Oil Lamps

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Enjoy the charm & the ambiance of old-fashion oil lamps as I do. How to Decorate with Oil Lamps in your home is also a great way to give you that sense of nostalgia. 

How to decorate with oil lamps is a beautiful way to create an ambiance feel in the space. A French pot, coffee cup on saucer with a spoon, a aloe plan sitting by a lit oil lamp in the earl morning.

Over the years, I have been collecting old fashion oil lamps. Not only does that add the simplicity of an old fashion look to your home, But they also add a warm glow and softness to a room. Also, How to Decorate with Oil Lamps is a great way to add charm to your home.

Old fashion oil lamps date back to the 18th century, but these days, you can find reproduction oil lamps for sale at any local home improvement store. Another great way to find beautiful oil lamps is to check out your local antique & thrift shops. You can find antique oil lamps to be pretty inexpensively most times. Furthermore, I have had luck finding an original antique oil lamp on Etsy. Most times, you can get free standard shipping too!

How to Decorate with a oil lamp is easy to do. A vignette curated on a wood tray of a oil lamp, cloche filled with shells & a cast iron liberty bell sitting by a blue & white lamp with a white shade on an antique ice box.

Oil lamps make great additions to all the rooms in your home!

Add an oil lamp to each room in your home to not add visual interest but to create an ambiance in the space.

Perfect for any home decor style

Use it as a decorative statement, or place it in an area for a cozy space for some relaxing time curled up with a book. You will find that How to decorate with Oil lamps is a wonderful accent for any home decor style. Whether it be Country, Victorian, Cottage, Eclectic, Old World, Farmhouse, or Industrial. They are Aesthetically Pleasing for these styles and more,

Use oil lamps instead of candles.

It would be so romantic to use oil lamps to illuminate the room and create a soft glow that will set the mood for a cozy evening.

Create a vignette on the coffee table

I have a wicker tray on the coffee table with a few decorative items and the vintage oil lamp. Creating an ambiance feel while watching a movie with your love makes it more relaxing.

A wicker tray with a small lit  oil lamp, amber candy dish, Christmas cactus plant in a mustard yellow planter & a wooden rectangular box. Next to the little oil lamp is antique magnifying glass. In front of the wicker tray on a coffee table is a chair with cozy pillow, next to it is a end table with home décor books, two plants, candle holder, lamp & a coffee cup. in front of the table is a small ottoman with a green throw blank, open book & glasses.

Create a focal point in the space

Make a table display incorporating an oil lamp as the focal point.

Create a welcoming vibe!

Place an oil lamp in the windows to make your home feel warm & inviting!

How do you display oil lamps?

Here are 5 ways to display your oil lamps.

  1. Group them by various sizes
  2. Display on a mantle
  3. Use it for a reading nook
  4. Set it on the kitchen table
  5. Perfect for a secretary desk

This little oil lamp adds visual interest to this space on my coffee table. I purchased this darling little oil lamp at the thrift store a few weeks ago. However, when I got home, my husband said it was missing the glass chimney, which disappointed me, but I could find a replacement online. It reminds me of a little candle holder that takes oil to light.

A wicker tray with a small lit  oil lamp, amber candy dish, Christmas cactus plant in a mustard yellow planter & a wooden rectangular box. Next to the little oil lamp is antique magnifying glass.

Now that I shared some ideas on How to Decorate with Oil Lamps, here are some other valuable tips!

Save a little money on your power bill! 

Not only is it a clever way to save money at night, but it also creates a cozy ambiance in your space.

Oil lamps are beneficial if you have a power outage.

We all have dealt with the power going out. Oil lamps provide a great source of light when needed.

Have guests over for dinner?

Create a relaxing atmosphere by placing a small oil lamp or two on the dining table as the focal point when you have dinner parties.

Where can I purchase additional hurricane lamp replacements?

You can find cheap glass insert replacements for your oil lamps at your local home improvement store or online.

Makes the perfect gift!

If you are searching for a birthday or Christmas gift, search no more. Everyone should have one pre-prepared lamp if the power goes out! Just be sure to add a container of oil to go with that oil lamp.

A side table with a stack of books, a large plant, oil lamp & a gold tray with a small iron stone pitcher of a tiny bouquet of red roses & a half circled green Fenton glass dish.

FAQ

What kind of oil do you use in oil lamps?

A popular and affordable lamp oil choice is K-1 kerosene. However, burning a kerosene lamp oil outside removes the pungent odor. Because the scent is unmistakable if you burn it indoors. But, for indoor oil lamps, you want to use clear lamp oil that is odorless and smokeless oil such as Firefly Simply Pure Paraffin Lamp Oil. Furthermore, you want to stick to using kerosene oil in kerosene lamps outside.

Can you use any oil for an oil lamp?

You can use any cooling oils for your oil lamps, but olive oil is the better choice for oil that doesn’t produce smoke while burning. 

Can you use vegetable oil instead of lamp oil?

Yes, although it is a budget-friendly option, it is not recommended as it can harm your health as the oil heated beyond its smoke point can catch fire because the oil’s molecular breakdown can create pro-inflammatory free radicals, a carcinogenic compound, and acrolein.

What oil is best for an oil lamp?

You want to use an odorless oil that doesn’t burn as brightly as kerosene but is designed specifically for oil lamps.

How can I tell if the oil lamp is antique?

You might be able to tell if there are maker’s marks on the base of the lamp or around the winder button, but it might also be on another spot on the burner or base of your lamp.

How do you know if a lamp is valuable?

They are valuable when left in an original condition with most or all the original parts. The antique lamp will be lightly scratched on the underside of the lamp surface to determine the type of material it is made from. Some lamps may appear to be made of metal, but they might also be painted to look and feel just like metal.

What are old oil lamps called?

They are also known as kerosene lamps (in some countries, they are also known as paraffin lamps).

Who invented the oil lamps?

John H. Irwin created the first design for a coil oil lamp to be used with coal oils or other similar hydrocarbons in May 1862.

Does lamp oil go bad?

Lamp oil has an indefinite shelf life as long as you store the oil properly. The bottle of lamp oil must be stored in a dry and slightly warm area, keeping the oil at room temperature when not used. Avoid placing the oil in colder rooms, and do not freeze the lamp oil.

How do you clean an oil lamp?

Place the parts in a basin of hot soapy water to remove any soot. Let air dry before assembling back together.

I hope this post has inspired you on how to decorate with Oil Lamps.

Name image for Dusty at Linen and WildflowersIf you want to follow along on our home restoration/renovation plans and all of our exciting antique & thrift finds, be sure to check out Linen and Wildflowers on FacebookInstagram, and Pinterest! And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to receive updates.

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9 Comments

  1. I adore oil lamps and you have listed so many great tips for use and keeping them in tip-top shape. I didn’t realize olive oil could be used in oil lamps either.

  2. I love oil lamps — I’ve only just begun to really collect them though because they’re typically pretty expensive where I live. Even used! haha But I’m not giving up. I love their practicality as well as they’re beauty.

  3. Your post made me feel so cozy. I really love candlelight in the evenings and they burn so quickly, this is a beautiful alternative. Thank You!

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