If I found myself with the problem, I would use a small rechargeable power source/generator that would normally be used for power tools or camping,in which a lamp with an LED bulb could be plugged into.

Depending, the generator size, could be hidden in a basket say under a sofa table

something on this order: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Monoprice-PowerCache-220-Solar-Power-Generator-15278/107274178?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1391&adid=22222222227042365057&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=106405027877&wl4=aud-261800282140:pla-293805386957&wl5=9021732&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112561730&wl11=online&wl12=107274178&wl13=&veh=sem

Thanks, Jim. I've considered that, but honestly I can't find anything you can plug anything but USB into that is less expensive than just buying a modern lantern would be. Do you have any recommendations?

ETA It's not safe to hardwire to one of those battery packs, BTW, which is what makes it tricky

2nd Edit. Thanks for the link, I'll check it out.

Well, but we're tiled on slab, so while it's not impossible, it's not easy or inexpensive, either.

This sounds like a business opportunity for you...

Sorry, I know that's not helpful.

It's certainly an opportunity for someone, cawaps. :-)

Writersblock, I have no lamps in my living areas because there's no place to plug them. We have very little recessed lighting in the living area, and it's a 13 foot pitched ceiling with a single fan with lights.

I'm definitely eager to hear if anyone has sources for battery operated lamps.

Have you looked at modern lantern? They are very expensive, but they are having a sale this month, so the prices aren't quite as bad as usual.

I looked into cordless lamps for another room. I was surprised to find so few options as well.

I've always been intrigued by this blog post, Lamp Hack: How to Make Any Lamp Cordless. It actually seems fairly do-able, for me at least.

That's the one I was referring to in my first post, beckysharp. Not people I would greatly trust, I'm afraid, and everything on the internet about doing this is just a reference back to that blog post, but if anyone here has tried it, I'd be very interested to know how it worked for you. I have to admit I've been tempted to try it with an old lamp I don't care about.

If it doesn't burn the house down and it doesn't work, the worst it would be would be rewiring the lamp and replacing the socket, but I'd feel happier if there were a tutorial from someone who knows about things like twist-on connectors and such. :)

Some options of LED powered battery lights are:

Fatboy Transloetje

Battery Lamp by Kartell

Good luck!

That linked generator uses a lead acid battery I would not suggest having that in the house especially in a room that is used. They can and do leak and could create fumes.

I have not looked for lamps but I bought some very nice battery powered wall sconces at Lowe's for very reasonable price.

They are available. Google for indoor outdoor battery powered lamps. Here's one quick example.

http://www.improvementscatalog.com/imp/363324?cm_mmc=GooglePlaMob--ProdAds--2017-_-Main&code-macs=MM7XWMPL&SourceCode=MM7XWMPL&utm_source=GooglePlaMob&utm_medium=ProdAds&utm_campaign=MM6XWMPL&CAWELAID=120245390000198096&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=38304732905&CATCI=aud-116933253172:pla-98946198412&CATARGETID=120245390000290322&cadevice=m&gclid=Cj0KEQjw76jGBRDm1K-X_LnrmuEBEiQA8RXYZ_H9alrRX943ibkzs1zcAwV3OpOSgJlMWrYmXKOR7bIaAlBg8P8HAQ

https://www.houzz.com/products/torch-light-wireless-all-weather-table-lamp-natural-slate-prvw-vr~54115716

Thanks very much, homepro and ravencajun. The thing with the outdoor lamps is that they don't put out enough light to be useful for anything but ambience. I don't know quite why that last one you linked has a three-way switch, for instance, ravencajun, since the max output is still less than a 20 watt bulb would produce.

The review for one of the other styles says:

We needed a cordless lamp for our home....this was perfectly styled....but, it hardly gives off any light! Even on the brightest setting, it is very minimal. Trying to return it now....

You would think that Kenroy or one of the other companies that makes these and also makes indoor lighting would up the game now that you can get a decent low-wattage 12 volt DC LED bulb that produces the equivalent of a 30 to 50 watt bulb, but I guess they figure folks prefer battery life to brightness, which I'm not sure is a valid belief.

I have the fat boy, it puts out enough light for reading in a dark room. I have seen the Kartell in person and it is a very clean light, it is 3000k at 80cri. There is another one by Koncept that I saw at ICFF and it is very bright. I willl find the link to the Koncept one.

Thanks, I'd be interested to see the Koncept. The Kartell says it's only 100 lumens, which isn't much for a reading lamp, although it's quite pretty. It looks more like table accent lighting to me, given that it's only 8.67 in tall.

What I would love to find is a kit that would allow one to convert a lamp to wireless with a solar power source. Living in an area that is sunny most of the year, with a lot of south facing windows, it would be easy for me to place the solar cell in the window to charge during the day and hook up to the lamp as needed. On this scale, I could also likely afford to it where as whole-house solar is out of my price range right now. Hopefully someday.

Yes, I'd like that, too, tishtoshnm. There are tutorials online for converting a table lamp using a solar landscape light, but again, those don't put out many lumens for in-house use.

ETA There are solar outdoor table lamps, even solar outdoor table lamps with rechargeable battery backup, but again, low lumens. Example:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Kenroy-Home-Palladium-30-in-Bronze-Outdoor-LED-Solar-Table-Lamp-32570WBZ/205439049

I had these sconces in my dining room before the remodel. The room had no overhead lights. They were OK for dining but not for reading.

https://m.lowes.com/pd/Portfolio-8-5-in-W-1-Light-Bronze-Pocket-Battery-Wall-Sconce/50359520

The Mr.Go is the unit I saw at ICFF. These are really bright units.

This link a search on Lumen's for Battery Operated Lamps. Maybe something peaks your interest.