Floor Lamps

The arc moves the light source far from its base. It replaces a pendant above a coffee table or a small dining table, with no electrical work.

The torchiere, also called an uplighter, sends light upward. The ceiling bounces it around the whole room: the solution for a living room with no central light point.

The tripod, with its shade, lights the area around it. It dresses a corner and sits behind an armchair.

The opal glass globe gives ambient light without glare. It works as much as an object as a light.

For a reading corner, place the lamp slightly behind the armchair, on the side opposite the hand that turns the pages. For an arc floor lamp, measure its reach: the head should fall at the center of the coffee table, and the base must not block the way.

For general ambient light in a living room, count about 10 to 14 lumens per square foot (100 to 150 per square meter), spread across several sources. A powerful LED torchiere aimed at the ceiling can provide most of that light on its own in a medium-sized room, as long as the ceiling is light in color, since a dark ceiling absorbs light. Its dimming function takes you from bright light to a night light. For ambient light, choose 2700 K, a warm and restful tone. A reading lamp needs a more focused beam, aimed at the book.

In a living room, a designer floor lamp goes next to the sofa to create evening light with the ceiling off. In a dining room, the arc replaces a pendant above a round table when the ceiling box is not centered. In a bedroom, a tripod beside an armchair makes a reading corner. In a spacious entryway, an opal glass globe floor lamp welcomes you with a soft light. For a Japandi interior, the wood of the tripod pairs with linen and ceramics. For a modern floor lamp in a clean-lined living room, the metal arc adds a graphic curve.

An arc floor lamp rests on a heavy base that balances its reach: never move it by pulling on the arc, and check that it sits flat. A tripod standing lamp needs all three legs on the floor, away from foot traffic. Run the cord along a wall or under a thin rug, without pinching it, to avoid tripping. In a home with young children or a pet, choose a corner spot. For care, unplug the lamp and dust it with a dry cloth. Check the bulb base and maximum wattage before changing a bulb.