Floor lamps are an elegant way to add light to a room. You can also use them for task lighting, reading, or just about any other activity that requires extra light. As such, there are many choices available when it comes to floor lamps, so here’s how to make sure you choose the best decorative floor lamp.
Choose a Style
Floor lamps come in a variety of shapes, styles, and finishes, from traditional to modern and everything in between. And when choosing the perfect lamp for your space, consider the room’s overall decor and choose one that complements it. For example, if you have an antique-style rug on the floor or an ornate sofa bench in your living room, you might want to go with something more ornate than if you had a more modern-looking rug or furniture piece.
Get creative! What if none of the traditional styles strikes your fancy, but you still want some extra light in a specific spot without having to mount ceiling lights directly above it? So, you may look into alternatives such as pendants or chandeliers that hang from above while providing ample lighting around them at eye level, too—perfect for creating an ambience without taking up valuable floor space underneath!
Height
While you might be able to work with a floor lamp that doesn’t quite reach the height you need, it’s worth taking some time to consider how tall you want your light fixture. Ideally, you should be able to read in the light and see over your desk or work surface without being hunched over. You’ll also want enough space between the light and where you’re working so that when it comes time to change a bulb, there’s enough room for your hands not to get burned.
Shade
The shade is the part of your lamp that sits above the bulb and directs its light downward. Shades can be made of glass, fabric or metal and come in various shapes and sizes to suit all sorts of spaces. And if you’re looking for an accent lamp for a small area like a table or nightstand, then choosing a shade that’s proportionate to where you’re placing it is crucial, so it doesn’t dwarf the space around it. For example, pairing a pendant lamp with a large shade would make that fixture appear too heavy for its surroundings—something you don’t want!
If you’re working with an existing room decor theme or palette (for example, white walls with dark furniture), consider finding lamps that match those colours when choosing their shades so everything coordinates seamlessly together. As far as material goes, glass works well in contemporary spaces, the fabric gives off more warmth than metal, and metal finishes can give off an industrial vibe depending on what else is in your space (but may also be best suited for large areas like living rooms).
Wattage and Size of Light Bulbs
The wattage of the light bulb used in a floor lamp is another important factor to consider. So the higher the wattage, the more powerful and brighter the light will be. And if you want a lot of light in a large space, look for a decorative floor lamp with high-wattage bulbs. However, if you just need something for your desk that doesn’t take up too much room and provides enough light for reading or typing on your computer (without being distracting), then any standard household bulb should do the trick nicely.
Additional Features
In addition to style, you also want to consider other features and functionality when shopping for floor lamps, such as:
- Look for one with a dimmer switch, as this will allow you to adjust the brightness of your lamp depending on the circumstances and the time of day. For example, if it’s bedtime, keep it low; during daytime hours, when you’re reading or doing work around the house, turn it up higher.
- Choose a lamp with a reading light that bends in different directions so that you can shine it on any part of your body as needed—for example, if reading from across the room requires additional light near your eyes (as opposed to just over).
- Look for an adjustable head so that this same function can be achieved without having to bend down or move closer every time there are different needs for lighting position locations, such as when sitting at a table.
