Among the never-ending list of options to light up your room, floor lamps have their charm. These statement pieces not only provide light but also enhance the room's style.
Selecting a floor lamp for your room is not difficult, but you still need to give careful consideration to finding a lamp that suits your needs. Some of the most important factors to consider are the size, height, placement, and angle of the floor lamp so that it can add beauty and elegance to the room.
Basics and types of floor lamps
It is important to know the basics of floor lamps before buying one. Floor lamps are free-standing lighting fixtures that usually have a lampshade, pole, and base. They come in many styles, from ornate and vintage to modern and industrial.
It's essential to understand different types of floor lamps to understand precisely why they are so popular and versatile. Well, let's look at their types and unique characteristics.
- Arc floor lamps
These graceful lamps have an outward-extending curved arm from the base. This design makes it an ideal choice for task lighting or as an artwork in the room.
- Tripod lamps
As the name suggests, they have three legs that are visually appealing and also provide a stable base. They are a good choice for industrial or contemporary spaces and can easily add sophistication to the existing space.
- Torchiere floor lamps
Unlike traditional floor lamps, which point light downward, these floor lamps point light upwards. They offer a warm glow in the space, making them a good choice for enhancing the lighting in the room.
Right Bulb
Selecting a floor lamp also requires you to consider the right bulb for it. There is a wide variety of light bulbs with various options, such as lumens, wattage, and shapes.
The most basic thing to consider before selecting a light bulb is the wattage. Wattage is the energy that the bulb can produce. Most bulbs have a wattage between 40 and 120 watts. It is highly recommended that you check the label and never exceed the wattage of your lamp.
The second thing you have to consider is the bulb's lumens. The lumens of a bulb are directly proportional to the amount of brightness it will provide. If you want bright light, buy lamps with bulbs that have more lumens.
The color of the light is also very important because if you select the wrong light color, it will diminish the charm of the lamp. Lamp light color is measured in terms of Kelvin. Low values of Kelvin mean more yellow light. If you want your bulb to give blue or white light, look for a high Kelvin value bulb.
Light Requirement
To make an informed decision about selecting a floor lamp for your room, you need to consider the space's light requirement. Question yourself about the lamp's primary role in the room. Are
Depending upon the function of the floor lamps, there are three types of lamps.
Task lighting
These task lighting floor lamps are manufactured to be ideal for certain tasks where you need focused light. They are a good option for lighting a corner. Task lighting floor lamps, also called reading floor lamps, are shorter in length, which makes them ideal for the job.
Accent lighting
Accent lighting floor lamps light up a particular object or an area. They are tall floor lamps that are generally used to highlight a decoration piece or signature picture on the wall.
Ambient lighting
Ambient lighting floor lamps are designed to illuminate the entire room. They are equipped with a dimmer that allows you to control the light levels.
Among these three lighting options, select the one that suits your needs, and you'll be ready to buy a floor lamp for your room.
Size
The size of lamps greatly varies, so you should consider the size of the lamp. For that, you need to know the space in the room in which you will be placing the lamp. This ensures that the lamp is placed perfectly without overwhelming the surrounding space. For example, shaded lamps are tall and take up little space on the floor because of their vertical shape. This makes it very easy to fit in a small space. But if you look at the arc floor lamps, they may seem very attractive to you. But they take up a lot of space because of their horizontal shape and orientation. If you are trying to fit a floor lamp in a smaller space, try to consider options with small bases. If the lamps are taller than four feet, they are best suited for open spaces and big rooms.
Height
The height of the lamp is another essential thing to consider because if the light source is higher, it will spread the light more. Taller lamps are great for ambient lighting, but they are not as suitable for accent lighting or task lighting, where we want to focus light in a particular direction.
You need to select a floor lamp height that complements the scale of other things in the space. For example, if you have furniture with a low platform, you don't want to buy a very tall lamp that will look odd in the space, as if it's towering over everything else around it.
The height of the floor lamp is also important. You need to choose a lamp with a height that provides light that is not uncomfortable for your eyes.
Floor lamps often have the option of being adjusted in height according to your requirements. So you can buy a floor lamp that has this option to fit it in your space. This feature is also beneficial for people who like to change the setting of the room often.
Cost
Floor lamps also differ based on the cost. Some models are very low-cost and are only designed for functional purposes. However, other models cost thousands of dollars for designers or artistic pieces. Generally, the cost is higher for the intricate or aesthetic models. But these fantastic designs are in itself an artwork that can enhance the aesthetic appeal of the room. Depending upon your budget and the function of the floor lamp, decide what suits your preference.
Match the Existing Style
Floor lamps are used as sophisticated pieces to decorate any room, such as a living room. Before you buy a lamp, you should thoroughly analyze the style of the space. You should consider different design elements, such as wall art and furniture that are already in the room. A lamp should complement these elements so that it can enhance the aesthetics. If your existing style is modern, an Arc floor lamp will be a good choice. Its metallic finish will greatly fit modern design pieces and various themes from minimalistic to Bohemian. If the style of your room is more traditional, a wooden floor lamp will be a better fit.
Here is a breakdown of some ideas that can help you incorporate a floor lamp into your existing style.
- Contemporary lamps
These lamps employ innovative and creative styles of light and often have very minimalist designs. Materials such as glass, steel, or chrome give them a touch of modern elements.
- Industrial lamps
Unlike contemporary lamps, they are not very decorated. They often have pieces, such as old iron, reclaimed from factories and warehouse machinery.
- Minimalist lamp
They have a very basic design, focusing on simplicity and functionality. They often come in neutral colors or monochromes, bringing sophistication to the room.
- Bohemian lamps
Organic materials are widely used to make these lamps. They come in earthy colors with textures and patterns.
You can select one of these lamps to change the look of your room while reflecting your preference and style.
Placement
When you spend bucks to buy a floor lamp and consider different characteristics to enhance the mood of your room, it is also important to place it in a proper location. If you fail to do so, the lamp's purpose is not met, and it looks unnecessary or overcrowds the space. You need to select a space in the room and, according to that, buy a floor lamp.
Here is how you can place the floor lamps.
- If your target is ambient lighting, place the lamp in a spot or corner that spreads the light evenly throughout the room.
- If the lamp's purpose is to help you with focused work, such as reading, then place it near your work area.
- If the inspiration behind buying the lamp is to highlight the features of decoration in your room, you need to place the lamp near it to enhance its beauty.
Don't forget to consider factors such as ceiling height and other elements around that space to ensure that the floor lamp becomes a part of the existing style.
While you may think that placing the floor lamp is a simple task, there are a few mistakes that people should avoid, such as:
- Don't place the floor lamp in an area that is frequently used. In this case, it would likely be knocked over again and again.
- Make sure that you buy a lamp with an accessible electrical cord to avoid tripping hazards.
- Place the lamp in such a place where the cord can easily reach the plug or power outlet. It will avoid the stretching of the cord in the room.
Safety and Handling
The first important thing when handling a lamp is regularly cleaning it. The following cleaning tips can be used to clean floor lamps.
- Regularly dust the lamp with a duster to remove dirt.
- For glass or metal lamps, you can use metal polish or glass cleaner to clean them.
- For lampshades, it is advised to use a vacuum to remove accumulated dust. Never use wet clothes or water on lampshades.
Another important thing when handling the lamps in your room is to ensure that they are placed in a stable place where they don't wobble. You can use a protective pad to prevent tripping. It is wise to follow the manual provided with the lamp regarding recommendations such as the wattage of the light bulb and power input.