The 8 Best Floor Lamps

The right combination of lighting will affect how welcoming and comfortable a room feels, and it can improve general ambience while curtailing eye fatigue. Additionally, after nightfall, a lot of light reflecting off of walls will create the illusion of space, making small rooms seem larger. (In contrast, a single light source diminishes perceived space.) Below are the three main types of lighting. Layer them throughout your room to create nuance, mood, and purpose.

• Accent lighting: This lighting is sort of like a spotlight, and it will bring attention to a specific section of the room—a special piece of art or an antique furniture item, for instance. It can be a wall fixture or track lighting, but a strategically placed task or console lamp can also work.
• Ambient lighting: This type of lighting provides an inviting glow that performs in the background, casting softer, more-general lighting to set a room’s overall mood. Rod-style wall-washer lamps and console lamps (those with a shade) are wonderful for creating ambience. You’ll still need a task light, however, if you plan on working in your space.
• Task lighting: Like accent lighting, task lighting directs illumination to a particular spot—in this case, where you’re performing a particular task, whether it’s reading, crafting, or working. Ideal task lighting (usually from a task lamp or an arc lamp) is adjustable, and it lets you see without distracting glare or shadows.

What to ask yourself before choosing a floor lamp

The best floor lamp for you will fit in your room, both physically and aesthetically. It should also illuminate in a way that complements the lighting you already have, so that the space feels welcoming and functional. This is admittedly a tall order, but there are plenty of lamps to choose from. To narrow your options, answer the following questions:

How large is your room and how high are the ceilings? If space is tight, we recommend a tree, rod, or swing-arm task lamp. Lamps with shades or a tripod-style base require more space, and they are best for average-size to large rooms, whereas only the largest rooms with high ceilings work with an arc lamp (a style that can dominate a small room). Before you purchase a lamp, always measure its height and circumference to compare it in context with the intended space. A floor lamp should not exceed 6 to 7 feet in an average room with 8- to 10-foot ceilings; taller lamps work well in spaces with especially high ceilings (above 10 feet), where vertical accents add drama.

Do you want to read or work beneath the light, or is the lamp primarily an ambient source? Task and arc floor lamps are best for delivering glare-free light from above, and they ideally have cantilever swing arms or adjustable shades. A tree floor lamp offers adjustable light, but its reach is inherently limited by the positioning of its multitiered shades. Lamps fitted with shades (which we refer to as console lamps, aka “traditional” or “shaded” lamps) diffuse light to a pleasant ambient glow around and overhead, but they aren’t the best for reading. A rod-style lamp won’t light up an entire room, but when it’s placed in a corner, it will deliver supplementary light that enhances every other light source. Consider your most common nighttime habits. If you knit or read often, a light delivered from overhead or from over the shoulder will work best. If you’re a Netflix binger, you’ll want a lamp that delivers a diffused, softer light without glare or without intruding on those “just one more episode” evenings.

Do you want the lamp to stand out, or would you prefer that it blend in with the rest of the room? Imagine how the floor lamp will look standing among existing furniture, wall colors, and other decorative features. Tree and task lamps tend to blend into smaller spaces. Tall, arched arc lamps or console lamps with shades draw attention. If you’re looking for a statement piece, keep in mind that you’ll often pay more for something that stands out from the crowd in size or style.

Do you plan to move the lamp around? The majority of floor lamps are light enough to pick up and move with just one arm. But arc lamps and some larger tripod models can be heavy and unwieldy once assembled. Remember to check the base and total weight before purchasing, to avoid being stuck with something heavier than you can comfortably and safely lift.