What makes a good floor lamp?
A good floor lamp is stable, correctly proportioned and places the light where it is needed without glare. For reading, the shade or arm should be able to bring the light close to the book. For indirect light, a taller fitting that directs the light towards the wall or ceiling works well. Always check the dimensions of the base so that the lamp fits beside the furniture.
Which floor lamps are the most popular?
The models include the Riga Floor Lamp, Montreuil Floor Lamp, Charlton Floor Lamp and Oscar Floor Lamp. They range from the restrained reading lamp to the more decorative fitting. Choose by light direction and floor space, not just by height or style. Also consider the route of the cable and whether the lamp needs to be movable when the furniture layout changes. Assess the solution in both daylight and evening light before you decide.
Where does a floor lamp work best?
Floor lamps work best beside a sofa or armchair, in a dark corner, by a bookcase or behind a side table. In a bedroom, a slender model can replace a table lamp where surface space is limited. In a larger living room, a taller, sculptural lamp can create its own zone of light without competing with the ceiling fitting. Also consider the route of the cable and whether the lamp needs to be movable when the furniture layout changes.
How tall should a floor lamp be?
The height depends on the use. A reading lamp needs to bring the light down to the side without the shade ending up in your line of sight. A decorative floor lamp can happily be taller and shine towards the wall or ceiling. Compare the lamp's overall height with the sofa back, armchair and ceiling height, but also check the reach of the arm. Also consider the route of the cable and whether the lamp needs to be movable when the furniture layout changes.
What sets different floor lamps apart?
The difference lies in light direction, footprint, adjustability and material. The Truro Twig Floor Lamp is more sculptural, while the Studio Adjustable Floor Lamp is more clearly a task and reading light. A heavy base provides stability but requires more floor space, while tripod models need clear space between the legs. Also consider the route of the cable and whether the lamp needs to be movable when the furniture layout changes.
Can I get help choosing a floor lamp?
Yes. Use the visualisation on the product page when you are logged in to check scale and placement. Then measure the free floor space, the height of the sofa or armchair and the distance to the socket. In the showroom at Sturegatan 20 in Stockholm we can compare models from Vaughan, Visual Comfort and Thomas O’Brien. Also consider the route of the cable and whether the lamp needs to be movable when the furniture layout changes.
Reading light beside the seat
For reading, placement matters more than the lamp's overall height. The Atley Floor Lamp and Exeter Floor Lamp can be compared by how close the shade comes to the side. The lamp should stand so that the arm does not have to pass in front of the body. In the living room it works best beside the outer side of the armchair, where the cable can be run without crossing a walkway.
Indirect light and dark corners
A floor lamp can also be used to lift a wall or a corner. The Melrose Swan Neck Floor Lamp gives a clearer direction, while the Savona Floor Lamp can work more decoratively. In rooms with dark wallpapers or heavy fabrics, several points of light are often needed to avoid all the light gathering at the ceiling.
Stability and footprint
Floor lamps compete with furniture for floor space. The Axis Floor Lamp and Carcassone Floor Lamp have different requirements for clear space. Measure the diameter of the lamp base and consider how vacuuming, curtains and the movement of a chair affect placement. In the bedroom, a compact base is often more important than a large shade, particularly near the bed and curtains.
Combine with other levels of light
The floor lamp should not carry the whole room. Combine it with lighting on the wall or ceiling and give the lamps different tasks. The Frankfort Floor Lamp can provide directed light, while a table lamp creates softer light at a lower level. In the hallway and dining room, floor lamps are used less often, but they can work well in a reading corner or beside a low sideboard.
Placement near a sofa
Position the lamp so that the base does not end up where feet or the vacuum cleaner move, yet close enough for the light to reach the seat. An arched or long-armed model can stand behind the sofa and bring the light forward. A straight model usually needs to stand beside it. Try a temporary marking on the floor and check both when seated and when walking past the furniture.
The floor lamp in a reading corner
A reading corner works best when armchair, table and lamp form a small group of their own. The lamp should provide directed light, while a smaller side table takes care of book and glass. A rug can mark out the zone and soften sound. If the lamp is adjustable, the arm should be able to move without colliding with the wall or curtain. Leave enough room to stand up comfortably.
Scale against ceiling height
A very tall floor lamp can feel elegant in a room with generous ceiling height but cramped in a low room. At the same time, a low model can disappear beside a tall bookcase or sofa. Judge the upper part of the lamp against the empty wall surface. A shade that ends up close to a picture or shelf can create visual noise even if the base fits on the floor.
Cables and everyday use
Floor lamps are flexible, but the cable needs planning. Avoid loose cables across walkways and do not use an extension lead as a permanent solution if it could be concealed better. Also check where the foot switch or on/off switch is located. A lamp that is awkward to switch on gets used less, however beautiful it is. When rearranging, the cable and base should be movable without the fitting becoming unstable.
When one floor lamp is to replace several lamps
In smaller rooms, a well-chosen floor lamp can provide both reading light and soft general light. In that case choose a model whose shade can be directed and which also lets some light escape upwards or to the side. Place it near a wall that can reflect the light and complement it with a soft ceiling or table lamp if needed. Avoid asking too much of a single fitting in large rooms; there the result is better with several points of light. Also consider how the lamp looks from adjoining rooms, since a tall fitting often becomes a prominent part of the sightline.
Portability as an advantage
A floor lamp can follow the furniture layout as the room changes. So choose a model that can be moved without the base, shade or cable becoming a nuisance. A very heavy fitting is stable but less flexible. Consider whether the lamp is to be a permanent part of a reading corner or be used in several places over the course of the year.
The final measurement check
Try the lamp's intended spot with an upright cardboard profile. That shows whether the shade will end up in front of art, curtains or a bookcase and whether the base obstructs the passage. Also check how the light falls when you sit in different parts of the furniture, not just in the nearest armchair.
Read on: Lighting in the Living Room
