Pleated Shade USB Table Lamp

Pleated shades have come back into fashion, and this small USB lamp is an easy way to try the look without committing to a full-size mains fitting. The fabric is gathered into fine, even folds that soften the light and throw a gentle scalloped pattern onto the wall behind. The base is compact enough for a bedside table, a desk corner or a bathroom windowsill, and the whole lamp is light enough to move around the house as the seasons change.

Seven shade colours are offered, from plain white and soft yellow through pink, red and green to brown and a printed floral. The quieter shades sit happily in a neutral scheme; the stronger ones work as a deliberate accent against painted joinery or a dark wall. All of them use the same pleated construction, so the difference between them is purely colour rather than shape, size or the way the light falls.

Three control options let you match the lamp to how you actually use it. Fixed brightness is the simplest and cheapest, stepless dimming lets you wind the light down for evenings, and the remote-control version adds three switchable light colours for more flexibility. Power comes from a five-volt USB lead, so it runs happily from a laptop, a power bank or a UK USB mains adapter, which is not included with the lamp.

• Material: pleated fabric shade on a weighted base
• Power: 5V USB lead supplied; UK USB mains adapter not included
• Control: fixed brightness, stepless dimming, or remote with three light colours
• Light source: integrated LED
• Compact footprint suited to bedside tables, desks and shelves
• Indoor use only; keep the shade away from direct heat sources