Floor lamps are tall fixtures with a weighted base designed to be placed on the floor and provide higher light in a room. Floor lamps are a staple element of interior home décor, providing a functional way to illuminate your space without the need for overhead lighting. Also known as standing lamps, these home lighting options can influence the ambiance and mood of a room through the type of lamp chosen, its material, its location, and even the bulbs used.
You may have come across many different types of floor lamps in different homes, however, each has a specific name and its own unique purpose. Some floor lamps are designed to illuminate small areas, while others can illuminate a room from different angles and even include storage options. Each category has a variety of styles to suit different designs.
1. 10 different types of floor lamps
Below, we’ll detail the basic construction of 10 different types of floor lamps to help you decide which type of lighting is best for your space.
1）Torchiere
- Best for: Uplighting
The Torch is one of the most popular and easily recognizable floor lamps, identifiable by its upright, torch-like shape and the lighting fixture at the end of the column that points upward. The name derives from the French word “torch.”
Torches don’t require much floor space, and their discreet shape is versatile and popular. Another advantage of flashlights is their ability to provide general illumination. The shape directs light to the ceiling, where it diffuses into a pleasant general light that covers the entire room.
A light with a dimmer switch and dimmer bulb adds to the flashlight’s versatility, allowing you to soften or brighten the light as needed. Since these lights come in many different styles (from traditional to contemporary), you can find one to suit any design and budget.
Before buying a flashlight, make sure it is stable and won’t tip over easily. It’s best to use a durable, weighted base, or make sure the light is positioned appropriately so it doesn’t tip over.
2) Club light
- Best for: Area lighting
Club lights, another common type, are stick lights designed for area lighting. These lights usually have a three-way outlet or a double outlet that is operated by a zipper.
Like flashlights, you can buy any style of club light. These components include a base, a stick or pole, and a lampshade that softens the light radiating from the sides. Club lights tend to be priced similarly to flashlight lights and can fit any budget from budget to high-end. Some lights in this style have larger bases that help them stand upright, while others have bases that are less durable and require leveling.
3) Tray light
- Best for: lighting and storage combinations
The tray light is essentially a club floor lamp with the tray inserted at table height. Many tray lights have multiple legs to help them stay level without the need for adjustment. The trays of various lamps can be made of glass or other materials, such as wood, marble, metal, plexiglass, etc., to suit various design styles.
This floor lamp is used for area lighting and can come in handy as a coffee table in small spaces. The tray and base take up less visual space than a coffee table with a lamp. Tray lights tend to cost more than basic floor lamps, but there are many affordable options.
4) Adjustable club floor lamp
- Best for: Adjustable area lighting
An adjustable club floor lamp is a variation of the standard club lamp, but its height can be changed to suit various needs. This style is primarily used for area lighting, and some bases for these lamps are more durable than others. Adjustable lights may cost slightly more than basic versions of the same style. Many club lights also come with decorative shades and unique designs.
5) Adjustable swing arm light
- Best for: Changing light sources
Like an adjustable club light, an adjustable swing arm light can provide different types of light, but its arms can move in all directions instead of changing the height of the light.
Adjustable swing arm lights are usually more expensive than standard club lights or torch lights. However, depending on the material, they can be found within any budget. High-end metal is used for the best quality, and the large light base also helps to help it stand upright.
6）Six-Way Floor Lamp
- Best for: Lighting up large rooms
A six-way floor lamp (sometimes called a headlight) can provide a lot of light because it uses a center three-way bulb surrounded by up to three additional bulbs, which can all be used simultaneously or individually as needed. These lights are great for lighting up large rooms and are often very affordable. Since this style uses multiple bulbs, more will need to be replaced as the bulbs burn out over time.
7）Tower Floor Lamp
- Best for: Ambient lighting
Tower floor lamps provide ambient light and have the added advantage of looking like sculptures or furniture during the day. These lights can be made from many different materials, but the most common are soft materials that allow light to pass through.
Tower lights come in many varieties, from Asian-style lanterns to modern sculptural forms. These lights can even serve as a design focal point in many rooms or provide storage space as part of an upright shelving unit. The majority of them produce warm light. Tower lights cost much more than other regular lights and sometimes use special bulbs that require a trip to a hardware store to replace.
hint
Tower lights are best used for decorative purposes rather than as the only source of light in a room. When using this type in your space, it can be helpful to add some desk or task lights that can be turned on if you need bright light.
8）Down Bridge Floor Lamp
- Best for: Downlighting
The underbridge floor lamp shines downward and makes a great reading or work light. This style is perfect for directing a beam of light onto your project or page and is ideal for placement next to an armchair. The base is at an angle to the lampshade, which usually wraps around the base of the light bulb.
Modern underbridge floor lamps may cost a little more than traditional styles, but overall, this type of floor lamp is very affordable. The bulbs can usually be replaced easily, as most of these lights use regular bulbs that can be found in most stores.
9）Pharmacy Floor Lamp
- Best for: Directional lighting
Pharmacy lights provide very specific directional light and include height-adjustable heads that can swing in different directions as needed. This type of light has a very small profile and is used more for its functionality than as a design statement. However, there are many attractive pharmacy floor lamp options available to suit a variety of styles.
When choosing a pharmacy floor lamp, choose one with easy-to-replace bulbs, as some bulbs can be difficult to replace. These lights typically cost more than simpler styles like club lights (but there are plenty of budget options).
10）Tree Lamp
- Best for: Various light sources
Tree lights are similar to club lights, but they consist of several individual lights connected to a main light base. These lights can often be moved independently to add light to various areas of the room. Their lampshade is usually small and tightly surrounds the bulb to provide specific directional light.
This type of lamp usually has a metal base with a shade of various materials. Like other products, they may be more or less durable depending on the materials they are made of. Most metal bases have a sturdy construction. Some high-quality options may cost more, but overall, tree lights are affordable.
2. Choose a floor lamp
There are many different floor lamps in each category that can fit any design style, so the best way to choose a floor lamp is to determine how much light your room needs. Some lights may look attractive in your space but not provide enough light, while others may even appear too bright. Tower lights can produce a soft glow, but they don’t provide as much functional light as other basic types.
In rooms that require a lot of light, it can be helpful to choose a flashlight, club light, six-way light, or adjustable light. If you need to illuminate a specific area, underbridge lights and pharmacy lights offer targeted bulbs that won’t illuminate the entire room.
3. Conclusion
This guide has compiled 10 types of floor lamps for you. Different types of floor lamps are suitable for different spaces. Please choose the appropriate floor lamp according to the space of your house.
