Learning where to place floor lamps in living room can help you unlock a brand new piece of home decor. Although they’re quite helpful for illuminating a space, floor lamps can also contribute to a room’s aesthetic. This guide will explore the best spots to put your new light, so it shines its brightest.
Before You Get Started
There are a few key things to keep in mind when looking for a floor-type lamp. Along with floor lamp placement, you’ll also need to consider ambient light, the type of light, and more. These quick tips will help you get started when looking for a downward-facing reading lamp.
Design and Light Elements
One of the first things you’ll want to do before figuring out where to place floor lamps is to look a the room’s design elements and light elements.
Take note of any areas where the light sources are lacking or spots where you might do most of your reading or work. This process should give you a good idea of what areas would benefit from extra light.
Floor Space and Placement
Another great idea is to take the time to decide if there are any gaps in the floor space that need filling. Lighting fixtures come in various shapes and sizes, making them remarkable accent pieces to fill empty voids. Once you have a list of the best possible placements, you can then decide which adjustable light works best.
Type of Floor Lamp
As with any furniture in your home, you’ll need to find overhead lighting that suits the room best with their beams of light. There are many different types of floor lamps you can find, including:
- Club lamp
- Cage lights
- Central lights
- Pharmacy lamps
- LED floor lamps
- Glass tray floor lamp
- Fluorescent floor lamps
- Cordless table lamp
- Dimmable lamp
- Candelabra lamp
- Industrial floor lamp
- Torchiere floor lamp
- Tree floor lamp
By considering the style of floor lamp, you can find a single lamp that serves many purposes. For example, an industrial floor lamp will output more light than a regular lamp shade. On the other hand, a candelabra lamp will have a softer glow than LED floor lamps.
Even within each broad category, you’ll find further unique decorative options. For example, you can find 1940s floor lamps or 1970s floor lamp with vintage flair.
Where to Place Floor Lamps in Living Room
With your lamp in hand, it’s time to go through the tips to find the perfect placement for average floor lamps. It’s easier than you might think, even if you don’t have any interior decorating experience and want a cozy space.
Tip 1: Radiating Light
If you’ve purchased contemporary floor lamps known for their brightness and intend to use them for reading or activities, radiating light is essential. Instead of pointing the bulb to the ground or against the wall (as we explore below), you’ll want to point it outwards.
With that said, you’ll need to find a spot with plenty of room for a forward-facing conventional lamp shade. You’ll want to ensure the light sources shine their brightest without any blockages.
This placement is ideal if you have a room without a ceiling light or one that seems a little darker than usual. With more new home builders avoiding traditional ceiling light placements, radiating light is essential to consider.
Tip 2: Soft Light
If you love the brightness of different types of floor lamps but find it’s a little too overwhelming, this is where soft light is helpful. Soft light allows you to reap the benefits of a bright bulb without it being too bright, reducing eye strain.
When placing these types of lamps, you’re going to want to point your lamp towards the wall. When it’s facing the wall, the light fixture will shine against the solid object, helping to diffuse the brightness across the surface.
You’ll still have plenty of warm glow to take advantage of, but the light won’t be as direct. Many people who suffer from migraines and headaches find these type of lamps a better alternative.
A soft light fixture is also a phenomenal way to set a wonderful ambiance in a room. You’ll find it’s most remarkable in a dining room for a soft dinner glow or a bedroom for a romantic hue. It’s also an excellent option for rooms with an average amount of light.
Tip 3: Behind the TV
Did you know that placing types of floor lamps behind your TV can have plenty of benefits regarding the screen’s quality? Have you noticed that the picture looks faded when watching a movie or show with the lights on?
With a focused light at the rear, you can lessen the contrast in the image and reduce unsightly glare.
With that said, a strong light isn’t going to turn a 480p TV into a 1080p resolution, but it can help in other ways. For example, if you’re a fan of horror movies, a rear lamp can help make blacks appear deeper when put at eye level. Also, it can be a great way to introduce ambient lighting in one of your most-used rooms.
Tip 4: Beside Furniture or Art
The most common locations for modern floor lamps are beside the furniture you often use, especially ambient light. For example, if you have a specific reading chair in your living room, an arc floor lamp is great for ambient lighting or task lighting. With downward-facing shades and bulbs, you can take advantage of all the light you can ask for.
Modern floor lamps beside a furniture piece or in a central location are relatively common. You’d be surprised at how wonderfully it can complement your existing furniture, offering a soft ambient lighting glow. You might notice new hues in the fabric hidden by shadows, making your most-used pieces the focal point.
Above all else, putting a single floor lamp beside furniture or an art piece is one of the best ways to make good use of the lamp. You’ll find yourself reaching for the lamp more often than your standard ceiling lights. Not only can this help you save energy, but it also adds a softer glow to a room.
Tip 5: Beside Windows
You might be wondering, why would I want to put tripod floor lamps beside my windows when they offer natural light? This style is also quite common in households, especially those using living room floor lamps as an aesthetic benefit. During the day, you can have your windows open and appreciate the beauty of the lamp’s design.
At night, the lamps act as a source of light similar to your windows. They’ll offer bright light, helping to illuminate the entire room from the perfect angle. You’ll also find this placement is fantastic for table lamps, especially if you put them on either side of your couches.
Tip 6: Next to the Couches
As the final high-class option to position floor lamps, you can’t go wrong by putting them beside your couches. In most households, you’ll likely find lamps in these spots as they add to the ambiance of light and serve a purpose. It’s pretty similar to putting a lamp in living room beside your reading chair, boosting the functionality of your couches.
Placing accent lights on either side of a couch is fabulous for framing the furniture piece. You’ll be adding height into the room, making it feel taller. Also, brighter light simply looks stunning next to an accent piece in general, adding a decorative element.
Extra Things to Consider to Find the Best Lamp
Here’s a quick list of some essential tips to help you find the perfect traditional floor lamps or craft floor lamp for your home.
- Height: Always make sure you opt for tall lamps if you want light diffused across a large area. Tall lamps allow light to travel further, making it ideal for whole-room lighting.
- Activity: It’s important to match your floor-type lamp to your usual activities. For example, traditional floor lamps work best for reading and tasks with a regular lamp shade.
- Design: As mentioned, the design of floor lamp models makes a huge difference. A tree floor lamp will illuminate a space much differently than a Torchiere floor lamp.
- Customization: If you’re able to tailor your beloved lamp, you’ll get far more use out of it. With adjustable floor lamps, you can change their height. Dimmable floor lamps are an excellent option for changing the brightness level.
- Wattage: Aside from the floor lamp, choosing distinct bulbs can make a world of difference. There are many wattages to consider, ranging from a 24-watt bulb to a 100-watt incandescent bulb. Thinking about bulb technologies can transform your everyday lighting.
The Right Location for Your Choice of Floor Lamp
If you’re wondering where to place floor lamps in living room, there are many options. Whether you want task lighting or a task lamp beside your reading chair or ambient light for a warm glow, you can customize the feeling of any room. With this guide’s help, there’s no doubt you’ll find the most iconic placement for your lighting.
