Decorating
Illuminate Your Living Space With a Fabulous Floor Lamp
From sculptural forms to witty designs, modern floor lamps do double duty as mood enhancers and stylish focal points
Floor lamps are wonderful things. Available in all shapes and sizes, they can stand alone or in multiples, and will tie your style together nicely. They can be used to either soften and enhance the light from a central pendant or cast a moody glow alone or in tandem with table lamps. Here are some of the best ways to use them in your living area.
Embrace little and large
The tall floor lamp here matches the smaller table lamp for a beautifully coordinated look. Opting for white designs means the intricate turning does the talking and the lights are stylishly elegant rather than shouty.
Explore midcentury modern style
The tall floor lamp here matches the smaller table lamp for a beautifully coordinated look. Opting for white designs means the intricate turning does the talking and the lights are stylishly elegant rather than shouty.
Explore midcentury modern style
Be adventurous
If your room is otherwise fairly neutral, consider a more unusual floor lamp to introduce a little drama. This wooden Brave New World lamp is a statement piece, and such fun, with its Meccano feel and bright-red flex. The slatted wood, however, echoes the tones in the room and doesn’t overpower the scheme.
If your room is otherwise fairly neutral, consider a more unusual floor lamp to introduce a little drama. This wooden Brave New World lamp is a statement piece, and such fun, with its Meccano feel and bright-red flex. The slatted wood, however, echoes the tones in the room and doesn’t overpower the scheme.
Complement a central light fixture
The cluster light here is the main focus, so the floor lamp needs to take a back seat. To ensure two separate light fittings work together, try matching similar shades and tones. This lamp has a neutral shade and barely there base.
Browse our pick of the perfect pendant lights
The cluster light here is the main focus, so the floor lamp needs to take a back seat. To ensure two separate light fittings work together, try matching similar shades and tones. This lamp has a neutral shade and barely there base.
Browse our pick of the perfect pendant lights
Use a tripod base for a traditional look
A classic tripod floor lamp is a great choice for a period space. This simple design with a white shade and timber base works in perfect harmony with the pale walls and wooden floorboards.
A classic tripod floor lamp is a great choice for a period space. This simple design with a white shade and timber base works in perfect harmony with the pale walls and wooden floorboards.
Add a little glamour
Structure is the name of the game in this modern living area. Having fun with lighting in a space like this breaks up the clean lines and adds character. The floor lamp is playful and also ushers in a dose of Hollywood glamour.
Find out how to use lighting to add drama to your home
Structure is the name of the game in this modern living area. Having fun with lighting in a space like this breaks up the clean lines and adds character. The floor lamp is playful and also ushers in a dose of Hollywood glamour.
Find out how to use lighting to add drama to your home
Choose a multi-headed design
If you want to spread out the light in your living room, a multi-headed floor lamp could be the perfect solution. These models with fabric drum shades add both a formal note and a shot of sunshine yellow to this pared-back space.
If you want to spread out the light in your living room, a multi-headed floor lamp could be the perfect solution. These models with fabric drum shades add both a formal note and a shot of sunshine yellow to this pared-back space.
Opt for an adjustable light
Ensure your light is fit for all purposes by choosing an adjustable lamp. An articulated design like this can be tilted upright to cast more light into the room, or lowered for more concentrated tasks, such as reading or sewing. The supersized desk light style also adds a witty note.
Ensure your light is fit for all purposes by choosing an adjustable lamp. An articulated design like this can be tilted upright to cast more light into the room, or lowered for more concentrated tasks, such as reading or sewing. The supersized desk light style also adds a witty note.
Bring structure into the room
As well as being practical, a floor lamp can be a piece of art in its own right. This sculptural design adds interest up high, drawing the eye upwards and emphasising the height of the room.
As well as being practical, a floor lamp can be a piece of art in its own right. This sculptural design adds interest up high, drawing the eye upwards and emphasising the height of the room.
Supersize your lamp
This large room would swallow up a smaller light, so the extra-large lamp is the ideal solution. It chimes with the potted tree in the opposite corner and keeps the room from feeling too low-level, as well as casting masses of soft light across the seating area.
Which floor lamp do you like best? Tell us in the Comments below.
This large room would swallow up a smaller light, so the extra-large lamp is the ideal solution. It chimes with the potted tree in the opposite corner and keeps the room from feeling too low-level, as well as casting masses of soft light across the seating area.
Which floor lamp do you like best? Tell us in the Comments below.
A floor lamp that hangs over a central coffee table is both practical and attractive. This classic Arco pools light on the table, but also filters it upwards for a wonderful glow. Teaming it with seating in cosy fabrics prevents the smart chrome looking hard.