Designer floor lamps

All you need to know before you buy a designer floor lamp

A designer floor lamp is a very practical light fixture.  They are easy to install and move and are decorative objects.  But there are many types of designer floor lamps: elegant, extravagant, lightweight, bulk… How can you choose the right one?  Find out how to choose your designer floor lamp based on your needs and your interior decoration.   

5 reasons to choose a designer floor lamp

Designer floor lamps are aesthetically pleasing and fit practically into your everyday life. Here are 5 reasons to choose a designer floor lamp for your home:

1. There are a wide variety of models available.  Whatever your current décor, you will find a designer floor lampthat you will love and that will fit with your interior design.
2. They are decorative objects.  A designer floor lamp will impress your guests as well as visually improving the room where it is. 
3. They are very practical.  A designer floor lamp allows you to bring a light source to a specific spot in your room or to where you are undertaking specific activities.
4. They are easy to move.  Looking to update your interior decoration?  You can easily move the floor lamp to another corner of the room, or even move it to another room or building.  Moving house?  You can take them with you without any issues as you don’t have to install any specific wiring, just plug it in!
5. They are functional.  Designer floor lamps are the works of designers, meaning they were created not only to be visually appealing, but also to be pleasant to use.  The light is optimally directed, and the switch is positioned for easy access without taking away from the beauty of the floor lamp.   

The shape of designer floor lamps

There are 4 main shapes of designer floor lamps: the classic, the curved version, the reading version, and unique design designer floor lamps.

Classic designer floor lamps

Classic designer floor lamps are quite simple.  They are fixed on a vertical foot, have a fabric shade, and diffuse the light in a soft and even manner.  Elegant but discreet, they are suitable for contemporary and rustic interiors.  The Tripod floor lamp is an example of this type of designer floor lamp.

Curved designer floor lamps

Curved designer floor lamps take their name from the fact that their base is curved.  The bulb and shade hang from the end of the arc arm.  This design allows light to be scattered over a specific area without cluttering the space with a stand.  The curved designer floor lamp is ideal above an armchair or in a reading nook.  The Arco floor lamp is an example of this type of designer floor lamp.  

Reading lamps

Articulated arm floor lamps, or reading lamps, have adjustable arms that can be used to direct light to a specific location.  They sometimes include a light which is directed towards the ceiling spreading light across the room.  They are ideal for living rooms and bedrooms.

Unique design floor lamps

Looking to add a little whimsy to your décor?  Look no further than a unique design floor lamp.  Their eccentric shapes will stand out to your guests and garner a lot of attention.  The Cheval lamp is an example of this type of designer floor lamp. 

The function of the designer floor lamp

To choose your designer floor lamp, you must know how you will use it.  Floor lamps can have 4 different uses – reading, work, giving light, and simply as decoration.  

The main use of a designer floor lamp is to illuminate a room.  To do this, choose a model that scatters light evenly throughout the room.

A designer floor lamp can also be used to light up a specific area.  For reading, choose one with an articulated arm or a specific reading light.  For work, choose a powerful lamp which is adjustable.

But floor lamps don’t just bring light, they are also decorative objects! Whether it is a Scandinavian floor lamp, a unique design floor lamp or a well-known designer floor lamp, they will add cachet and elegance to your room as well as being practical. 

Another useful feature of designer floor lamps

Some designer floor lamps also have a dimmer switch, allowing you to adjust the intensity of the lights to create a cosy atmosphere or have a bright, powerful light.  This gives you the flexibility to choose the ambiance of your room according to your needs or moods.  

Choosing the right light bulbs

Choosing a good designer lamp isn’t everything, you still have to have the right bulbs!  Here is a list of the criteria to have in mind when choosing your bulb: size, brightness, colour, warmth, and energy consumption. 

• Size: choose a bulb with the correct fitting to match the light’s socket. 
• Brightness: choose a bulb of 400 lumens or more if your designer floor lamp is an accent lamp in the room.  If this is the main light, you will need a higher brightness.  
• The warmth of the light bulb can completely change the mood of a room.  Avoid white light which is cooler and less pleasant in a home.  Choose a bulb of 3300 Kelvin or less for a pleasant warm light.  
• To optimally highlight the colours in your room, choose a bulb with a Colour Rendering Index of at least 80 RA.
• The energy consumption of the light bulb influences not only its lifespan, but also your energy bill.  Choose an ecological bulb, like LED bulbs (recognised as the most efficient on the market) and avoid halogen bulbs at all costs.