Your Basic Guide to Choosing Floor Lamps

If you want an easy, versatile lighting decor without requiring the help of a professional electrician, floor lamps are your best bet. Usually placed beside a chair, sofa or a bed, floor lamps provide soft, overhead lighting for your reading needs.

It is a perfect spot lighting that adds character to your room, even when it is turned off. Therefore, choosing the right floor lamp is essential to match the rest of your furniture. Wondering where to begin? Here are your hints:

Scale it. Low ceilings can push tall floor lamps out of proportion. What you want is to find the right scale for your floor lamp to blend into the room. 68" is the ideal height for this lighting style since it conveniently conceals the bulb when you're seating or standing.

Materials matter. Metal is a common floor lamp material because of its versatility and can boast of many features and finishing combinations. But don't just limit yourself with these styles; other floor lamps are made of wood, brass, marble, rattan or glass. Find the right material that suits the rest of your decor.

Location, location. The right floor lamp can easily transform a boring corner into a delightful reading nook or a workspace. Just be careful not to obstruct spaces between seats. A safe place is to put it by an unassuming corner by the wall or an empty bay window to utilize the reflection of the light.

Yes, you can layer. Different lights in one room creates a dimension of lustre. Use two similar floor lamps for a perfect symmetry. However, don't just stick to floor lamps. Our tip: How about decorating the other end with a table lamp for a warm and cosy look?

Take a look at the types. Floor lamps differ in shapes and styles as well as how it diffuses light. Classic floor lamps are the basic types which provides general illumination and often comes with a fabric shade or a glass globe. Torchieres have shades shaped like bowls so that it reflects the light upwards and works as ambient lighting. Tree floor lamps contain more than one light sockets which allows you to move it in different directions. Lastly, the arc floor lamps, which are used to illuminate items underneath them, thanks to their bent pole.

Floor lamps for the modern man. Some floor lamp designs come with additional innovations to match your needs. Goosenecks lamps can be adjusted to focus on the light on varying directions. Tray lamps are used for lighting small spaces. Magnifying lamps come with magnifiers which lets you see things more clearly, perfect for those who have poor eyesight. See whether the floor lamp you were eyeing on have these special features too.

Wondering how a floor lamp can update your décor? Here are some of our favourite looks:

A pair of handsome floor lamps adds symmetry to this black and white masculine living room.

There's a nice hint of Scandinavian decor in this clean, tripod lamp. 

Metallic shades definitely add a nice touch of sheen in this room. 

Swiveling joints scream industrial in this rugged nook. See our range of Metal floor lamps.

Go eclectic with this glamorous Hollywood-inspired floor lamp. 

How about a pop of colour to brighten your day? [image source]

We’ve got lamps of different shades, shapes and sizes for your floor lamp craving. View our collection here.

Which of these lamps are your favourite? Give us a shout-out by commenting below.

Images via Fat Shack Vintage Pinterest board.