Floor Lamps Buying Guide

For bringing extra light to larger rooms, there's nothing that beats the convenience of a floor lamp.

Floor lamps can be placed next to chairs, couches, or tables for task light. They can easily be moved into dark areas to provide lighting, and don't take up much floor real estate. You can also easily change their look by just replacing a shade.

There are thousands of different floor lamps available in every style, color, and material imaginable. With such a wide variety, you're sure to find the perfect lamp to complement your home's daccor.

Classic Floor Lamps

Console Floor Lamps

A console floor lamp is the most classic type of floor lamp design. It is composed of a single pole set upright into a round base, with a cloth shade or glass globe at the top. Many console floor lamps use a single bulb, but some are made with either two light sockets or three light sockets to provide greater illumination.

Torchiere

A torchiere is a specific type of lamp which uses a bowl-shaped shade, whether glass or metal, to focus most of the light in an upwards direction. It is best for providing ambient light, as the strongest beams will reflect off of the ceiling.

Tree Floor Lamp

Tree lamps have three or more light sockets branching off of a central pole. The sockets will usually be set into reflective housings that can twist or pivot, allowing you to focus them in different directions. You can use any combination of the three lights at any time, giving you a very adaptable light source.

Arc Floor Lamp

An arcing floor lamp has a bent, curving pole set into its base, creating a graceful, modern object that has a beauty all its own. They are also great for providing light above couches or chairs for reading.

Practical Designs

Tray Lamps

Tray lamps are practical items to place near a chair, eliminating the need for an end table to hold drinks or books. Their dual purpose makes them great in small spaces.

Adjustable Lamps

Some floor lamps are designed to adjust in height or other ways. These include gooseneck lamps, which twist and bend to focus the light in a very specific spot, and swing arm lamps, which are triple-jointed to allow the light to move horizontally.

Reading Lamps

A reading lamp will often have a central light source and an adjustable arm that branches down from the side to provide more light to readers sitting below.

Lamps with Magnifiers

For tasks that involve delicate work or small objects, a lamp with a magnifier is the perfect choice. While originally designed for professional use, a magnifying lamp is useful for readers who need some help deciphering small print.

Things to Consider

When you are buying a floor lamp, the first thing you'll want to think about is the purpose of the lamp. Are you looking for a lamp that will provide strong and clear light for a specific spot? Do you want something that sheds as much light as possible? Do you want a floor lamp that will give aesthetic pleasure even when it is turned not on? Or are you looking for something that can do all of these things?

You should also consider the height of the lamp and whether it uses a shade, a globe, or a reflector to house its light bulb. Ideally, any lamp shade should reach down far enough to conceal the entire bulb when one is standing near it. This prevents any annoying glare from the light bulb from reaching your eyes most of the time.

Materials

In addition to wood and rattan, there are a variety of metallic lamps. The finishes available include brass, bronze, steel, nickel and silver.

Lamp Shades

Just because your floor lamp comes with a shade doesn't mean you can't change it. Shades are sold in all different colors, sizes and shapes. Lighter lamp shades provide more light, while darker shades are good for creating subtle mood effects.

Price Range

There are plenty of bargains to be found with floor lamps, with plenty of practical or whimsical lamps to be found for under $50. While the majority of lamps can be purchased in the range of $100 to $250, there are thousands of different lamps available in the $250-$500 price bracket.

Prices rise steeply once you go over $500, with some lamps costing as much as $3,000 or $4,000.