What Are the Different Types of Mosaic Lamps? A Complete Guide
If you have ever stood in a market in Istanbul, browsed a craft fair, or spotted one glowing on a friend's shelf and thought "I need one of those" — you are not alone. Turkish mosaic lamps are genuinely hard to walk past. But once you start looking, you quickly realise there are quite a few different styles to choose from, and they are not all the same.
So what are the different types of mosaic lamps? In this guide I am going to walk through every main style — what makes each one distinctive, who it suits, and where it works best. By the end you will know exactly which one is right for you.
Before we get into the different types, it is worth being clear about what all Turkish mosaic lamps have in common. Every style is made using the same fundamental technique: hundreds of small pieces of coloured glass, mirror fragments, and beads are placed by hand onto a metal or resin frame using adhesive. Once dry, grout is applied to fill the gaps. When a bulb is placed inside and switched on, the coloured glass throws warm, jewel-like light patterns across the surrounding walls and ceiling.
What varies between the different types is the shape of the frame. And that shape makes an enormous difference — both to how the lamp looks and to the kind of atmosphere it creates.
Here are all the main styles you will come across — from the simplest to the most statement-making.
The smallest style. Designed for a tea light or small LED candle inside rather than a bulb. Beautiful on a mantelpiece, windowsill, or dining table. Perfect for a first attempt at making your own.
Slightly larger than the candle holder with a bulb fitting inside. A really popular size — big enough to make a statement but compact enough to sit comfortably on a bedside table or shelf.
The classic mosaic lamp shape. Taller and more substantial — a proper statement piece for a sideboard, console table, or living room shelf. The most iconic and widely recognised style.
Immediately recognisable by its graceful curved neck that mimics the shape of a swan. The curved silhouette makes it look beautiful whether the lamp is on or off. A real design object as much as a light source.
A crescent or globe-shaped frame. When lit, the moon lamp throws the most dramatic and sweeping light patterns of any style — the crescent shape creates arcs and curves of coloured light across the ceiling.
Inspired by the classic Middle Eastern oil lamp shape — a low, wide body with a spout and handle. One of the most distinctive and culturally specific styles. A brilliant conversation piece in any room.
A hanging lantern style designed to be suspended from above rather than placed on a surface. Creates a completely different light effect — pools of coloured light dropping down from the ceiling rather than radiating outward.
Special edition frames in seasonal shapes — stars, snowflakes, and festive designs. A beautiful alternative to standard Christmas decorations with a warm, handmade quality that mass-produced decorations can never match.
Different lamp styles create very different atmospheres — the shape of the frame changes everything about how the light behaves.
The honest answer is that the best style depends on where you want to put it and what you want it to do. Here is a quick guide:
- For a bedside table or reading corner — mini table lamp or candle holder. Compact, warm, and cosy.
- For a living room shelf or sideboard — tall table lamp. Makes a real statement without overwhelming the space.
- For a design-conscious home — swan lamp. The silhouette is so distinctive it works as a decorative object even when switched off.
- For dramatic lighting effects — moon lamp. The crescent shape creates the most sweeping light patterns of any style.
- For a cultural or conversation piece — Aladdin lamp. Immediately recognisable and full of character.
- For a hanging space or ceiling hook — camping lamp. Creates a completely different atmosphere to floor or table lamps.
- For gifting or a first attempt — candle holder or mini table lamp. Manageable, beautiful, and really satisfying to make.
This question comes up a lot. Turkish mosaic lamps and Moroccan lanterns are both beautiful, and they both come from the Islamic decorative arts tradition, but they are made using completely different techniques.
Turkish mosaic lamps are made by placing coloured glass pieces by hand onto a frame. The glass is what creates the colour and the glow. The light passes through the glass and creates warm jewel-like patterns of colour.
Moroccan lanterns — known as fanous — are typically made from pierced brass or copper with coloured glass inserts. The light passes through the holes in the metalwork and creates patterns of dots and shapes. The effect is more architectural and less colourful than a Turkish mosaic lamp.
Both are beautiful. But they are distinct crafts from distinct traditions, and the effect they create in a room is quite different.
With so many mass-produced imitations on the market, it is worth knowing what to look for when buying a Turkish mosaic lamp.
- Look at the glass up close. Genuine mosaic lamps use individually placed glass pieces — you will see slight variations in spacing and alignment between pieces. Imitations often use printed film or painted glass which looks flat and uniform.
- Check for grout. Real mosaic lamps have grout between the glass pieces. If the surface looks like one smooth continuous piece, it is likely printed or moulded.
- Look at the light effect. A genuine mosaic lamp throws rich, translucent colour when lit — the light passes through the glass and creates a warm, jewel-like glow. A printed or painted imitation creates a flat, uniform light with no depth.
- Feel the weight. Authentic lamps have metal frames — typically zamak or brass — which give them a satisfying weight. Very lightweight lamps are often resin or plastic imitations.
One of the best ways to get a genuine Turkish mosaic lamp — and to truly understand what makes it special — is to make one yourself. The technique is learnable by anyone, no prior craft experience is needed, and the finished result is something you will treasure precisely because you made it.
There are two ways to do this with Atelier Hub:
In-person workshops — join a guided session where an instructor walks you through every step. You choose your lamp style and colour palette, place every piece of glass by hand, complete the grouting, and take your finished lamp home the same day. Sessions run across the UK.
DIY kits at home — all materials, tools, and step-by-step instructions included. Work at your own pace over an afternoon or a quiet weekend.
Choose your style, choose your colours, and leave with something genuinely beautiful. From £59 in-person or from home with a kit.
Browse Workshops & Kits →Everything you have ever wanted to know about mosaic lamps — answered.
So — what are the different types of mosaic lamps? Candle holders, mini table lamps, tall table lamps, swan lamps, moon lamps, Aladdin lamps, camping lanterns, and seasonal styles. Each one is made using the same centuries-old Ottoman technique, and each one creates a completely different atmosphere in a room.
Whether you want to buy one or make one, Atelier Hub has you covered — with guided workshops across the UK and DIY kits to make at home. Go find your style.
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