You probably won’t notice the importance of good lighting until you spend some time in a poorly lit room. A room that is too bright or does not have enough light may negatively affect your comfort level and productivity. Dimmed lights create an ambient atmosphere, whereas task lighting makes it easier to work and complete any task you may have at hand. But besides serving a functional purpose, the lighting in your room can also improve your home décor. Your lamps and lighting fixtures can either blend in the style of your room or serve as an accent piece.
There are a few different types to choose from, such as wall lamps, ceiling lamps, table lamps and floor lamps. All of them serve a different purpose and you can use different types in the same room. What separates table and floor lamps from wall and ceiling lamps is the fact that they can be easily moved if you plan on rearranging the furniture or redecorating your home. But what separates floor lamps from table lamps is that they don’t clutter your furniture and stand out more as accent pieces. If you’re interested in increasing the surface space of your desk and side tables, here’s everything you need to know about floor lamps.
How to Choose the Right Floor Lamp?
There are different types of floor lamps on the market, all in different styles, colours and materials. Club lamps are the most common type. They consist of a lampshade that’s attached to a pole. They are pretty standard, though you can also find various standing tripod lamp options with interesting lampshades.
Then there is the torchiere lamp, which directs the light upwards. In task lamps, the light is directed downwards and they can be used for reading, knitting etc. Candelabra lamps feature multiple lightbulbs.
When choosing the best type for you, consider what will you mostly use the light for? If it is for work, then your best bet is opting for a task lamp. And if it is just for ambient lighting then you can choose a single pole or a tripod floor lamp.
Next, you need to consider the style and colours of the lamp and strive to match it with your home’s interior décor. So, if your living room is decorated in a contemporary style, choose a modern lamp. If your interior is classical, opt for a vintage lamp.
You should also make sure the materials from which the lamp is made match your current furniture. For example, if you own a swivel chair with metal elements, you won’t go wrong with a metal floor lamp. Or, if you have wooden furniture then make sure that the legs of your stylish standing tripod lamp are wooden.
And lastly, the colour of the lampshades should match the colours of your furnishings. However, you can’t go wrong if you choose lamps in neutral hues as these colours go well with almost all types of furniture. If you have a few colourful and patterned accent pieces, a couple of neutral lamps will perfectly blend in your interior. Balance is everything. So, if you are lacking interesting accent pieces, then you can go bold and choose a lamp in a strong shade that will stand out and draw attention.
Should Your Lamps Match?
Well, sort of. Let’s say you are placing two floor lamps at each opposite end of a wall. If the lamps are the same then you will achieve a symmetrical look. But if you aren’t going for symmetry or minimalism, then you can get two lamps of the same type in a different colour, or two fully different lamps.
If you also have a table lamp in the same room, besides the floor lamp, then their styles should also match. As for the colours of the lampshades, if they are in two different colours that go well together, then your best bet is matching the material of the base of the table lamp with the material of the floor lamp. So, if your torchiere lamp or standing tripod lamp has a metal pole, then the base of your coffee table lamp should be made from the same metal.
Where Should You Place Floor Lamps?
Floor lamps shouldn’t be an eyesore, that’s for sure, but their aesthetics is not the only thing that matters. They also need to be practical and serve their purpose. Where you position the lamp will greatly affect the amount of lighting you get from it and whether it will help you in your day-to-day activities. For task lighting, the lamps should be positioned close to your desk or armchair, or wherever you need more light. If your aim is creating ambient lighting, keep in mind that the lamps shouldn’t be placed directly above your head. They can be positioned in the corner of the room or between the sofa and armchair. You should also mind your surroundings when deciding where each lamp should go. Artificial light in front of a TV will create a glare when the screen is dark, so you should avoid placing a lamp in front of your screen.