In 1879, Thomas Edison invented the first incandescent commercial light bulb. Over the decades, we have seen more light bulbs and lamps with various modifications. We now have floor lamps, desk lamps, table lamps, and suspended lamps. Floor lamps are used almost as much as table lamps.
They are relatively tall standing lamps that are designed to stand on the floor and provide light to their immediate environment from a higher position. Floor lamps are of different sizes and designs, with varying types of lamps and shades. The choice of floor lamp and the design of floor lamp is said to be an extension of one’s personality.
Parts of a floor lamp
Lampshade: This might not be a typical lamp shade. But most floor lamps have a lampshade or something that looks like one which shields the eyes from the glare of the light bulb.
The lampshade may have spider fitters, uno fitters, or clip-on fitters. Based on its shape, the lampshade may be a drum lampshade, a bell lampshade, an empire lampshade, or a coolie lamp shade. The shade size varies.
Light bulb: The light bulb could be an LED bulb or other types of light bulbs. The light bulb supplies light and it is usually found at the top, covered or surrounded by the lampshade. A floor lamp may have more than one light bulb.
A pole or post: Many floor lamps have tall poles, with some having a decorative lamp post. Some do not have a typical pole, but they are able to provide light from an elevated position.
A lamp base: The lamp base is for stability, as it is weighted and sits on the floor. The lamp base could be a marble base, a square metal base, a rectangular steel base, or a cylindrical base. The base size also varies.
A switch: The light bulb is turned on and off using the light switch.
Uses of floor lamps
Floor lamps are used to light up dim spaces, and with a floor lamp around, all dark corners should be absent. They are also used as accent lighting or as design elements, touching up the internal decor of a room.
When placed beside a sofa, floor lamps can be used to highlight particular features of the furniture.
A pair of lamps can be placed strategically to guide the eye to places you want to draw attention to.
A single floor lamp can be used to balance something weighty on the other side of the room.
Best places to position your floor lamps
Floor lamps vary in size and style and are meant for different purposes. Although some floor lamps may have a single light bulb, their lampshades may be different and aim the light in different ways. Before placing a floor lamp, the lamp and what purpose it is meant to serve should be considered.
Floor lamps meant to provide ambient light are best placed at the corners of a room. Ambient light is typically diffused light that encompasses the room. To get the desired effect, the right floor lamps should be used. A poor lamp choice would be a pharmacy lamp or a dedicated reading lamp. On the other hand, a torchiere floor lamp would reflect the light off the ceiling, directing the light upward and outward.
Floor lamps meant for decorative purposes can be placed almost anywhere, from tight spaces to large living rooms. They can be placed next to a sofa, a console table, beside a bed or window, etc. The right lamp for this purpose would be an aesthetically pleasing one with a colorful lamp shade.
Floor lamps meant for specific tasks such as reading should be placed behind or beside you when seated. The right lamp would be one that focuses most of the light downward. A pharmacy lamp and an arc lamp would pull this off. A torchiere lamp would be a poor choice unless it has a reading arm.
Types of floor lamps
Torchier floor lamps
Torchiere floor lamps are among the most popular floor lamps. They are easily identifiable by their torch-like and upright shape. These floor lamps have an upward-facing shade and most of their light is cast upwards towards the ceiling, giving off an ambiance of light. They come in handy when you need ambient lighting. They also do not take up a lot of space. Torchiere lamps may be equipped with dimmable light bulbs and have dimmer switches.
Pharmacy floor lamps
Pharmacy floor lamps have a smaller profile. They are used less as a design statement and more for particular tasks. However, this does not mean that they are not aesthetically pleasing. They are considered a more classic variant of the downward-facing reading lamp.
Pharmacy floor lamps provide light in a specific direction. The height is adjustable and it has an adjustable lamp head that can be swung in different directions. Some pharmacy floor lamps have more than one arm which ends in a head (where the light bulb is).
Arc floor lamps
An arc floor lamp has bright light sources and high radiant intensities.
Arco floor lamp
This modern overhead lamp is characterized by a suspended spun aluminum pendant attached to a marble base.
Six-way floor lamps
They are also known as mogul lamps. They are floor lamps with a large center bulb surrounded by smaller bulbs (three or four). The whole setting is usually covered by a regular lampshade made from fabric. They provide a large amount of light and are wonderful for lighting up big rooms.
Tree floor lamp
A tree floor lamp is a type of floor lamp designed like a tree. The main body of the lamp has “branches” or additional floor lamp arms covered by lamp shades.
Chandelier floor lamp
A chandelier lamp has a typical floor lamp base at the bottom, but the top looks like a chandelier light fixture. It gives the impression of a chandelier mounted on a pole. It is very decorative while also providing lighting in all directions.
Octopus floor lamps
These have multiple arms that can be aimed in any direction. The arms have a single light bulb each and have colorful shades, providing ample light.
Traditional floor lamps
Unlike a modern floor lamp, a traditional lamp is not well suited to rooms that are not so modern. They have a lamp base, a decorative lamp pole, and a lampshade. The lampshade typically has a smaller diameter at the top than at the bottom.
LED floor lamps
LED floor lamps are energy-saving lamps. They make use of LED (Light Emitting Diodes) light bulbs. These light bulbs are small and the floor lamp may use a bunch of them. Floor lamps may also use a single light bulb that houses LED elements. LED floor lamps have varying pole designs.
The light bulbs save energy and last longer than other light bulbs. Any type or style of floor lamp could use LEDs; even old, traditional floor lamps can use LED light bulbs in lieu of incandescent ones. A dimmable LED floor lamp is also not rare, and it is an energy-efficient, stylish floor lamp.
Full spectrum floor lamps (Spectrum floor lamp)
These lamps emit light throughout the color spectrum, just like sunlight. When used to view an object, the surface is lit in its natural color. These lamps can also be used to grow plants in the home.
Halogen floor lamp
This is a floor lamp that uses halogen light bulbs, which are quite delicate. They are very bright and can become very hot. They use more wattage than LED bulbs. Consequently, contemporary floor lamps do not use halogen light bulbs.
Fluorescent floor lamps
Fluorescent floor lamps include lamps with fluorescent bulbs. These lamps use less wattage than incandescent bulbs.
Dimmable and 3-way floor lamps
A 3-way bulb is a bulb that has two filaments. This provides a bulb with different levels of brightness. One could decide to use Filament I or Filament II or even both Filaments I and II simultaneously. To use a 3-way bulb on a floor lamp, one has to use a 3-way floor lamp that has been specifically designed to accommodate the bulb and support its feature.
A dimmable floor lamp has a dimming feature. The lamp may be dimmed via an in-line switch or some other way. The amount of output light can be controlled to suit the mood or the amount of light you need. Non-dimmable light bulbs should not be used in dimmable lamps. Dimmable and 3-way lamps can come in handy when dimmer lights or brighter lights are needed.
Sizes of floor lamps
Floor lamps come in varying sizes and heights, but they are generally quite tall. The type of lamp can determine the size or height of floor lamps. A typical floor lamp is around 4 to 6 feet (50 to 72 inches) in height. Some floor lamps, like pharmacy lamps and reading lamps, are shorter because they are generally designed to be used when seated as a reading light. Floor lamps can be classified based on their sizes as follows:
Short floor lamps
They are generally short and mainly designed just a little higher than the shoulder of an average person when seated. They include pharmacy floor lamps and reading lamps. Pharmacy lamps are usually placed next to a desk, while a reading lamp may be used next to a sofa.
Average floor lamps
These lamps are of an average height of about 5 to 6 feet. They are at eye level with an average person.
Tall floor lamps
These lamps have a height of about 6 feet. A tall lamp is usually more suited to living rooms due to its size.
Final Thoughts
Generally, floor lamps are pretty versatile. They can be used for directional lighting, task lighting, or ambient lighting. They require wattage based on their use. The light bulb should be around 40 watts for ambient lighting, while for task lighting, the light bulb should not be less than 100 watts. Dimmable floor lamps provide an edge as they can be used for ambient and task lighting and set to suit the mood.
The ideal height for a floor lamp is between 58 to 64 inches. The lamp should be at eye level when standing and above eye level when seated. It is advisable to find a floor lamp that is at least 68 inches so that whether you’re sitting or standing, the lampshade obscures the light bulb from view.
