Optimal kitchen design emphasizes functionality and visual appeal in equal measure. Even the smallest decor pieces can play into establishing such a balance. A decorative tray, for example, will look nice and give you the perfect platform for organizing tea and coffee supplies. A floating shelf, meanwhile, makes it easy to display your favorite dishes and keep them within close reach. If you’re looking for a more unique element that brings both practical and aesthetic value to your space, you could follow a smart recommendation from HGTV star Nate Berkus and put table lamps on your counter. Via Instagram, Berkus says he loves it when “a kitchen doesn’t need just overhead lighting but something really cool and concentrated on the countertop.” He notes that table lamps can simultaneously be “something that’s charming” and something that’s there to greet you whenever you enter the space.

Adding table lamps to your countertops is a relatively easy-to-implement upgrade for the heart of your home. You don’t need to go overboard with these light sources, though; just one or two of them will do the trick. The style and placement of your lamp(s) are important considerations for ensuring that the fixtures are seamless additions to your space’s existing interior design. You’ll want to think about how you’re going to use your lamps as well, so that you can maximize their functionality. You can also complement them with other stylish kitchen countertop decor ideas that avoid clutter.

Although Berkus’s use of table lamps in the kitchen is unconventional, there are several reasons why it’s surprisingly smart. Table lamps, in any room of the house, bring warmth and a calming ambiance to the space they’re in. Depending on the color of the shade and the bulb, they will give off a soft, comforting glow. Your kitchen’s overhead task lights, by comparison, are strong, bold, and bright; they need to be for cooking and food prep. But since you can use your kitchen for so much more than these basic functions, you might want to have different levels and colors of light within the space so that you don’t have to turn on your overhead lights for everything. A couple of table lamps will make the room look a bit more inviting when you’re, for example, dining with your family or entertaining guests.

Another benefit of adding table lamps to your counter is that, depending on where you place them, they can accent your kitchen’s focal points. If you put your lamps on the sides of a stone backsplash or perhaps next to an organized collection of cookbooks, the warm glow of the light will enhance the chosen element’s beauty. When you place the fixtures at the center of your island, they’ll highlight the countertop itself instead. Finally, you might want to use lamps in your kitchen simply because they add more character to the space.

There are a number of things you should think about when selecting lamps for your countertops. First, you’ll want to make sure that the fixtures complement your space’s existing decor style. A more ornate, finely detailed lamp will look more traditional. Something sleeker and simpler will usually work better for modern kitchens instead. Don’t forget to think about the metal of the lamp’s base relative to your cabinet hardware and appliances. If you pick something that matches your drawer pulls and knobs, you’ll create a more cohesive interior. If you mix metals, the lamp will stand out from the crowd instead. But this isn’t always a bad thing; in fact, it can be quite nice for adding some visual variety. Your lamp might even be the statement decor piece your kitchen has been missing all along.

When you’re picking out lamps, always factor in their size and height. Taller, larger table lamps will probably catch the eye more often than smaller ones. In addition, you might want to choose a fixture that doesn’t have a shade with an open top. With open-shade lamps, you might accidentally find yourself looking directly at the bulb when you walk up to the countertop. This can be a bit harsh on your eyes. Finally, make sure to avoid placing your lamp on your kitchen’s key workspaces. You shouldn’t use your lamp for task lighting; you should use it to make your kitchen more aesthetic.