Can floor lamps replace ceiling lamps?

Can you put a ceiling lampshade on a floor lamp?

It is possible to redesign your floor lamp by placing the ceiling lampshade on it. But the process is not simple because you have to consider some factors to make sure that the functionalities are not compromised and the lamp shade fits perfectly.

Ceiling lamp shades have a different attachment structure because they are built to fit the overhead light fixtures. They come with mechanisms such as central  fitters that make it easy for the lampshade to fit the mount. To transform the ceiling shade for floor lamps, you will have to make sure that the shades fitting is compatible with the design of the floor lamp.

Usually floor lamps come with a mounting system that uses a clip on or a harp. So the first thing you need to do is to analyze the shape and size of the ceiling shade to ensure that it is compatible with the floor lamp. Then you need to use an adaptor or shade carrier. These products are specifically designed for shades so that they can seamlessly fit the floor lamps or table lamps. Shared adaptor is a metal plate which is circular in shape and it is helpful in bringing the size of the fitting down. The simple element can successfully transform a ceiling lamp shade to work well with floor lamps without having to buy a new lamp shade.

Do floor lamps use more electricity than ceiling lights?

One of the most important things you have to consider when you are setting the light in your space is the electricity bill. There is popular debate about whether floor lamps are energy efficient or not as compared to ceiling lights. It turns out that overhead lighting fixtures use more electricity than floor lamps. 

However, it still depends upon the kind of bulb that you use for your ceiling fixtures or the floor lamps.

Generally, the wattage of ceiling lights is higher as compared to the bulb that is used in floor lamps. Typically a bright ceiling fixture for a spacious room may consume 10 watt and on the other hand a bedside lamp may use only 5 watt LED bulbs. Floor lamps are cheap as compared to ceiling fixtures because usually they are used for focused tasks and that's why they have less wattage.

So you should consider the type of bulb that is used in the lamp. If the ceiling lamps are using halogen bulbs instead of LED bulbs they will consume more electricity.

Therefore it all depends upon the bulb itself and not the type of light such as the ceiling light or the floor lamp when it comes to electricity consumption.

Pros and Cons of Floor Lamps:

Pros

• Placement: Can we move anywhere without the need of a table or desk.
• Variety : They come in various styles and designs to suit any type of interior design
• Adjustable: Majority of four lamps have features to adjust the lighting and brightness according to the mood.

Cons

• Space: They need floor space that can be difficult especially in small rooms.
• Stability: In the presence of pets and kids taller lamps may wobble if they are not properly placed or balanced.
• Light output: The light output is limited to task or ambient lighting that is not enough to illuminate the entire space.

Pros and Cons of Ceiling Lights:

Pros

• Light: The light is spread in the entire space,brightening the shadows and corners.
• Space: They don't require  floor space or tables.
• Styles: A lot of designs and styles are available to match any decor.

Cons

• Setup: The installation process is quite difficult because of the electricity work that requires professional help.
• Flexibility: Once they are mounted they cannot be easily adjusted.
• Upkeep: Cleaning and maintenance can be difficult because of the height.

Comparison of Floor Lamps and Ceiling Lamps

Now that we have summarized the pros and cons of each type, let's compare them.

• Flexibility 

In terms of flexibility in movement and position floor lamps are best suited because they can be easily moved according to your needs and mood. Ceiling lights are fixed and once they are installed you will require professional help and rewiring to change their position.

•  Setup

Setting up floor lamps is very easy and you don't require tools or professional help. Installation of ceiling lights is very difficult and requires wiring and expert assistance. 

• Light source

Ceiling lights provide better ambient lighting that can illuminate the whole space efficiently. 

• Visual impact

Both come in a variety of designs and styles that can uplift the visual appeal of any room.

• Space

Floor lamps require floor space that can be difficult in smaller rooms however ceiling lights do not take any  floor space

• Cost

Floor lamps are less costly because no installation is required and they are cheap. Ceiling lights are expensive, especially when the cost of setup by a professional is added. Depending upon the needs and preferences for your room you can select the type of light by analyzing the comparison we have done above.

Why do hotels use floor lamps instead of ceiling lights?

You may have noticed that hotels and guest rooms generally used floor lamps to illuminate the space instead of ceiling lights. So what is the reason? 

• Costly 

The first thing is that installing ceiling lights in hotels and guest rooms is costly as compared to using desk or floor lamps. Even if you install ceiling lights in a regular house it will be costly because it requires professional help and wiring. So to save money, hotels use lamps that can be moved anywhere and you only need to plug them to work. 

• Structure of the building

Another important reason why hotels don't use ceiling lights is the structure of the floor ceiling assembly in hotels. It is necessary for residential, industrial and commercial buildings to have fire resistance rated floor ceiling assembly. So when the buildings are built while considering this factor there is no open space or cavity left between the floors where the electrical wires can be placed for ceiling lights.

• No flexibility

Hotel rooms are often renovated over the years to create a fresh look. Therefore placing ceiling lights can be troublesome.

 Why do some people hate overhead ceiling lights?

Some people hate overhead light because of different factors such as:

• Glare

Overhead lighting can produce glare which is very uncomfortable. Majority of people don't live overhead lights because of the uncomfortable glare it offers to the eyes. The glaring intensity can make the room unpleasant or unwelcoming.

• Uneven light

Overhead lighting also provides unbalanced light. That makes it difficult for people who need to do precision tasks in the room such as crafting, sewing or arts.uneven light produces areas of bright light and dark corners making the ambiance awkward.

• Aesthetic appeal

Overhead lighting does not offer a warm or soft glow. Lamps are preferred by the people because of their adjustability and dimmable features.

Variety of designs and styles of lamps and lamp shades makes them an ideal choice for people who like customisation and variety.