Floor lamps are essential for bringing light into our homes and helping us to feel cosy in the evenings, plus they can serve as incredibly stylish pieces of furniture. Since they come in all shapes and sizes, finding the right one to suit your home can be a bit challenging though. Should you go for a modern black industrial stand, a tripod-style chrome design, or a curved lamp with a vintage colour scheme?
To make the decision easier for you, we've put together a buying guide that's packed with helpful hints on what to look out for when shopping. We'll also be sharing our favourite floor lamps to order online from UK stores such as Amazon, Argos, and John Lewis. Whether you're after a cheap LED lamp for chilling out in your bedroom or a traditional uplighter for reading in the living room, you're bound to find something suitable on our top 10 list!
Quick List - Top Floor Lamps
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Once you come up with a list of key things to look out for, finding the right floor lamp for your home will be a cinch. In this section we'll walk you through everything, from ensuring that your lamp suits your home to picking your perfect glow.
The primary function of a floor lamp is to illuminate or cast a warm glow across your living space, but the rules are the same as with every piece of furniture: ensure that its style fits with the rest of your décor or it'll stick out like a sore thumb!
First, take a look at the shape of the floor lamp - as in both the shade and the stand. Since these are the most noticeable aspects of a lamp, it's crucial to pick something appealing that's also complementary. Straight lines combined with severe angles look great against the backdrop of a modern room, for example, while curved designs look fantastic in a retro-style home.
Materials are incredibly important too when it comes to the overall effect you want to achieve. Naturally, lamps made predominantly of wood will work well in rooms with plenty of wooden furniture. In contrast, a lamp made with lots of industrial-style metal would look out of place in a traditional house, but would totally suit a minimalist home.
You've found a floor lamp that looks great and you just know it'll look perfect in your living room. The next step is to ensure that it casts the kind of light you prefer - not too dim, not too bright, but just right!
Although factors relating to energy levels and bulb type will dictate the kind of light that your floor lamp emits, the lampshade plays an important role. Consider the shape and size of the lampshade. Does it enclose the bulb, or is the bulb left exposed and free to emit large amounts of light?
When trying to work out whether a certain lampshade is right for you, think about how you plan to use your new purchase. If you're looking to cast a warm glow across the entirety of your living space, we recommend opting for an open style that doesn't conceal the bulb.
Those using their floor lamp in a reading corner, on the other hand, may prefer the "spotlight" effect that comes with a more enclosed lampshade - you'll get concentrated light in a specific spot while the rest of the room remains largely unaffected.
Those looking for a floor lamp with an opaque lampshade won't need to worry about this particular factor, but if you're considering a lamp with a translucent lampshade then it's important to inspect the colour. We say this because it'll affect the hue of the light that the bulb emits.
Looking for a cosy glow? You'll almost certainly want to find a floor lamp with a shade in a warm colour, such as beige or cream. On the other hand, those looking for the brightest light possible may want to consider a floor lamp without any shade at all.
Just remember never to underestimate shade colour, as it has a huge effect. That pink lampshade might look pretty alongside your furniture, but you might not be so chuffed with the rosy glow that it casts!
We get it - the hue and brightness of a bulb can greatly affect the mood of a room. With this in mind, it's hardly surprising that some shoppers struggle to settle on just one type of light.
Fortunately for those folk, many lamps use LED bulbs. These give you the freedom to choose between different levels of brightness and a whole variety of hues depending on your mood or the time of day - we've even found one that includes up to 16 million colours!
Every electrical item on the market will have an energy rating - this involves a grading system with G at the bottom and A+++ at the very top. Energy ratings inform us how much energy an appliance consumes per hour and, in turn, how energy-efficient it is.
There's a fairly obvious benefit to choosing a floor lamp with an excellent energy rating - they're cheaper to run, which means lower electricity bills. If you ask us, it's always nice to save a few pennies each month where possible!
Plus, due to the fact that they emit less CO², energy-efficient floor lamps are significantly better for the planet. Cheaper bills and reduced carbon emissions - what more could you want?
How many ways are there to turn on a lamp? Lots, actually! From in-line switches that activate with a click to "touch" switches that activate with a gentle press, the number of options is really quite overwhelming.
For most people, the switch style isn't the most important factor unless they're a bit of a perfectionist. For others, however, accessibility may be an issue; arthritis sufferers who struggle with pull cords may find touch switches significantly easier to operate, or they may prefer a foot press switch which they can step on to activate.
So if you're particularly fussy when it comes to style or you're buying for someone with reduced capabilities, always take a look at the switch style.
Technophiles and interior design enthusiasts alike will be delighted to hear that many floor lamps nowadays come with extra features that improve functionality and just generally make life easier.
Hi-tech floor lamps may allow you to create custom colours by remote control and you can even activate the light using a voice control app like Alexa. In other cases, designers have come up with floor lamps that can be positioned in a number of ways and even ones that feature shelves for added storage space!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | John Lewis & Partners Jules Wood Marine Head Floor Lamp | ![]() | Set The Stage With This Statement Tripod | |
2 | WUDSEE Adjustable Arched Floor Lamp With Marble Base | ![]() | A Curved Lamp That Casts a Cosy Glow | |
3 | John Lewis & Partners House Brandon Floor Lamp | ![]() | Perfect for the Style-Conscious Buyer on a Budget | |
4 | Philips Hue Signe Smart Floor Lamp | ![]() | The Smart, Tech-Tastic Choice | |
5 | Argos Home Father & Child Uplighter Floor Lamp | ![]() | A Versatile Duo That's Perfect For Readers | |
6 | HROOME Poseable Figure Tall Wooden Lamp | ![]() | Strike A Pose With This Conversation-Starter | |
7 | INMOZATA Geometric Floor Lamp | ![]() | An Edgy Industrial Design That's Bang on Trend |
A total statement piece, this marine lamp looks like it's been taken straight from a vintage film set! Its shiny chrome head is perfectly complemented by the distressed dark grey wooden tripod stand.
We reckon this design will suit a variety of homes; the rustic wooden tones should fit in with a traditional décor while the metallic finish wouldn't look out of place in a contemporary space. Just be prepared for all the compliments your new lamp will receive, as it's quite the eye-catcher!
This floor lamp just oozes cosiness, with a warm orange colour scheme and a curved design - both in terms of the shade and the stand. It's sure to make you feel relaxed as you become wrapped in its warm, fuzzy glow.
It's also super versatile, with a stand that adjusts to different heights and a shade that can be manoeuvred to the right spot. A unique choice with plenty of character, it'd work particularly well in a vintage or retro-style home.
The perfect choice for those shopping for lighting on a budget, this fab floor lamp comes in at under £50. It has a sleek shape and since it's plain black, it should fit in nicely with the rest of your furniture.
This product is also pretty versatile in terms of light-giving abilities, with an adjustable cone-shaped shade that can be directed wherever you need it. It's not a particularly fancy option, but it'll get the job done without breaking the bank!
Don't let its simple appearance fool you, this floor lamp is packed with so many features that it wouldn't be out of place in a sci-fi film. Not only can you control the lighting with your voice, but you can choose from an incredible 16 million colours!
Unfortunately, the futuristic design means this lamp will stick out like a sore thumb if you happen to have a vintage-style living room. For technophiles, though, it's an absolute must-buy!
This affordable floor lamp is actually two lights in one: a larger lamp that can illuminate the whole room and a smaller lamp that provides concentrated lighting, making it great for reading or studying.
Sure, this lamp is a little plain as far as the design goes, but its minimalist style means it'll look right at home in a monochrome, modern-style room. Plus, it's hard to argue with the versatility that you get for the price you pay.
For some shoppers, it's not enough for a piece of furniture to just look good; it must also draw attention and provide a talking point. This poseable lamp, which is shaped like a stick man, is sure to do the trick.
Those who prefer subtle-looking furniture may find this product a little garish, but folks with a quirky design sense will love adjusting their purchase into a new pose each day. One thing's for sure - this lamp is bound to attract comments from your visitors!
The slim, minimalist design immediately gives this floor lamp a modern look, as does the metal cage that surrounds its bulb. Its industrial appearance would perfectly complement a house with a contemporary, pared-down aesthetic.
Granted, this isn't the cosiest looking piece of furniture, so if you're looking for a floor lamp that you can snuggle under while reading a book then you may want to pass on this one. If you're searching for something edgy, however, it's ideal!
You've found the perfect floor lamp and now your home is basking in a warm glow - what next? If you're in the mood for a little more interior design, we've got many more articles full of inspiration!
Now we've illuminated the process, you should know exactly what to look for when purchasing a new floor lamp. We're confident that you'll be able to find one to complement the style of your home and give you a nice warm feeling inside!
Author: Ben Willimett
No. 1: John Lewis & Partners|Jules Wood Marine Head Floor Lamp
No. 2: WUDSEE|Adjustable Arched Floor Lamp With Marble Base
No. 3: John Lewis & Partners|House Brandon Floor Lamp
No. 4: Philips|Hue Signe Smart Floor Lamp
No. 5: Argos Home|Father & Child Uplighter Floor Lamp
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