How to choose a floor lamp: selection by type, room, parameters

Lighting in the room can be provided by both the main elements - chandeliers, spotlights, and auxiliary - wall sconces and floor lamps. The first of them provide a general light flux in the room, while floor lamps help additionally emphasize certain zones, add coziness to a certain corner or location. But due to the wide variety of floor lamps, many ordinary people are wondering how to choose a floor lamp and how to be guided. In view of which, let us consider the features of lighting devices in several categories of differences.

Selection by type

The first thing you should pay attention to before choosing a floor lamp is what type of device you need. All of them are divided into two main categories - decorative and functional. The first have elaborate design and act as decorative elements. The second are full-fledged lighting devices and are designed to create the main lighting in the room.

Traditional.

The classic version of the floor lamp is characterized by a strict form, the absence of shiny or bright details. Externally, the lampshade in the classical style has the shape of a truncated cone, which is located on a thin long leg. For the classic interior, black and white color is characteristic, and other restrained shades can be found.

With a table.

A floor lamp with a table, in addition to the function of the lighting element, is also furniture. The tabletop itself can have a round, square or non-standard geometric shape. The little table is placed in the lower part, like a stand, above which the ceiling stands. The table is convenient in that you can put a remote control on it, put a cup or leave a mobile phone. Therefore, such models are relevant in places where it is necessary to save living space.

With a shelf.

A floor lamp with a shelf allows you to replace the nightstand near the bed, by the sofa, in the living room. They are suitable not only for lighting, but also for storing small items, various utensils and small things needed in the household. By the number of shelves, floor lamps can have one, two or more. Shelves can also be closed and open - the former create an enclosed space, and the latter provide free access to objects from any direction.

Floor lamps, vases.

A vase is used as a leg for such a floor lamp or a leg is placed inside the vase, creating the effect of a kind of flower. In some models, you can put artificial flowers or other design elements. But it should be understood that this is only a decorative vase and it’s definitely not worth filling it with water - electricity interacts poorly with moisture and such manipulation can lead to deplorable the consequences.

Floor lamps nightlights.

They are installed as bedside lamps, a distinctive feature of such models is a moderate dim light. Their task is to create sufficient visibility, in which the light will not interfere with the sleep of people in the recreation area. Therefore, the lampshade in them is closed with a cloth or paper, which provides soft diffusion.

Room selection

The next important criterion for choosing a floor lamp is the purpose of the room for which it is selected.

The most popular types of premises are:

• living room or lounge;
• bedroom;
• hallway or hallway;
• kitchen;
• children’s.

Each of the rooms presents its own criteria, depending on the required lighting effects for any mode of operation or for a pleasant pastime.

Living room.

Since all family members can gather in this room, and for some reasons, along with a cheerful company of guests, the main requirement for a floor lamp is to get bright lighting. The installation location is determined by the specific task, if you want to fill some empty space in the living room, then the floor lamp should be installed there. If you want to highlight a reading zone, then it is placed near the corresponding chair or sofa. You can also place a floor lamp near any interior elements where additional light is required.

Bedroom.

In the modern bedroom interior, floor lamps perfectly replace wall lamps. They are installed at the head of the bed to provide moderate lighting for the rest area. Accommodation at the entrance to the room is not practical, since the light flux is needed in the sleeping area. General-purpose high-legged models should create diffuse lighting. Low floor lamps, installed instead of table lamps on the bedside table, it is better to take with a directed light flux.

Corridor.

Unlike other rooms, in the hallway you spend an extremely short period of time, so you should not spend money on installing an expensive chandelier and other lighting equipment. It is much easier to install a floor lamp on a high leg in minimalist styles so that it takes up as little space as possible. To save space, LED lamps that have relatively small dimensions will help.

Kitchen.

The floor lamp, like the place of eating, in interior design should either encourage food intake, or vice versa, depending on what goals you pursue. Brighter models contribute to a better appetite, stimulate the desire to eat, which is especially true for young children. If you are trying to cope with excess weight, then you should give preference to a floor lamp in calm colors, without catchy elements.

Children’s.

An important criterion for choosing a floor lamp for a child is an unbreakable lampshade, so crystal shades and other fragile materials should be completely excluded. Models that include images of fairy-tale heroes, movie heroes and others made in a similar style are perfect. The color is preferable to choose in accordance with the environment, but the emphasis is on bright colors.

Selection by parameters

In addition to the type of room, when choosing a floor lamp, you must additionally take into account a number of characteristics: its purpose, size, style, etc. This will avoid unpleasant disappointments when, after the acquisition, the light source does not fit in the planned installation point or will be very different from everything around space.

Destination

Depending on the purpose, floor lamps are allocated for general lighting, for reading and for decorative lighting. Models for creating general lighting are distinguished by the relatively high power of the lamps, which could replace a chandelier or a wall lamp.

Floor lamps for reading are equally suitable for needlework or modeling, the main feature for them is the creation of directional luminous flux, they become an equivalent substitute for table lamps, it is also good if the functionality of the floor lamp includes a small a little table. Lamps for room decor have solid lampshades or their design directs the light flux up.

Style.

To create a cozy atmosphere in the room, the floor lamp must be selected in accordance with the existing interior style. Therefore, consider in detail the most popular options:

• classical - different straight metal leg with a round stand. The lampshade, as a rule, has the shape of a truncated cone of fabric or paper, on the surface can be painted or even embroidered with beads.
• high tech - products with a futuristic accent, such floor lamps have unusual shapes, curved lines, spherical and convex details. Gray, white and black tones predominate in the color scheme, bright lines appear much less often, designed to emphasize some element.

  

• neo-baroque - the choice of adherents of bohemia and luxury in everything, such floor lamps look very rich, are decorated with a large number decorative elements, they are incredibly catchy, but have a standard lampshade in the form of a truncated cone on a straight high leg.

  

• minimalism - includes a minimum of detail, usually a directional stream of light. The main motto of such models is nothing superfluous, therefore, neither the lampshade nor the stand has any decoration.

  

• retro - These are floor lamps with a pronounced emphasis on antiquity, this can include Edison's huge lamps, old cords, which darkened the stands from time to time.

  

• provence and country - rustic styles dominated by wooden details, lampshades made of natural linen or cotton fabric. Sometimes the design is decorated with floral or floral ornaments.

Dimensions

The overall dimensions of the floor lamp determine whether you can position the device in a particular place in the room. The main parameters are the diameter and height of the legs, as well as the diameter and height of the lampshade.

The foot defines the area from the floor to the light source - in this space it should be freely located. Here can be the armrests of sofas and armchairs that do not interfere with the spread of the light flux.

The dimensions of the lampshade should be such that they do not interfere with free movement near the floor lamp. For models with a directed light stream, it is important that the objects under the floor lamp do not cover it.

Additionally, correlate the size of the floor lamp and the nearby furniture and other interior decorations. Since a thin elegant lamp will not fit bulky, rough furniture, equally, like a large voluminous floor lamp, it will be inappropriate for an elegant sofa.

The number of lamps.

The brightness of lighting will directly depend on their number, the more lamps - the larger the floor lamp will be able to provide. In some models, a separate light bulb is installed, which is designed for reading, lighting a mirror or some area. For example, in a diffuser-type floor lamp for general or decorative lighting of a room, a separate directional reading lamp can be installed below, etc.

The material of manufacture.

According to the material of the ceiling, the following options are most common:

• metal - a reliable and practical floor lamp, such lamps are easily transported, are not afraid of falls and other mechanical influences. The disadvantages of the product include its heavy weight.

  

• glass shade - A fairly common option, since it is easy to give it the desired shape, color and other parameters. But this is the most fragile and unsafe material.
• paper - for the most part, they are designed to imitate Chinese lanterns, but can also realize other intricate forms. The disadvantages include their low strength, exposure to temperature influences, which sets a limit on the power of the lamps.

  

• fabric - well suited for classic options, have an unlimited color gamut and the shape of the drawings. The disadvantages include the difficulty of care and low strength.

  

• plastic - An excellent alternative to glass models, as they have no less great variety, but are not so afraid of mechanical influences.
• wooden - have good strength, look beautiful in the interior, but the manufacture of artsy designs is quite difficult.

  

Metal, wood or plastic is used for the base and support material of the floor lamp. Their main task is to provide sufficient strength to absorb the mechanical load from the lamp.

Expert Advice

1. In a room with a low ceiling, it makes no sense to install a floor lamp to the ceiling - it will look inappropriate.
2. If you create general lighting in a room, use models with a height of 2–2.5 m.
3. For remote access, use devices with remote control, they can be turned on and adjusted using a portable remote control.
4. The power of the lamps is selected depending on their type, but the most economical and durable today are LED models.

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