Floor Lamps

A floor lamp is the fix for a corner that has no ceiling fixture and no table. Plug it in, and a dead corner becomes somewhere you want to sit.

The four shapes and what each is for

• Arc — curves out over a sofa or chair, so the light lands where you sit without a table underneath. Needs about 3 feet of clearance for the sweep.
• Tripod — three splayed legs, a drum shade, light going both up and down. General room light with some presence.
• Task or reading lamp — slim column, adjustable head, light aimed at a book or a laptop.
• Torchiere — throws all its light at the ceiling, which bounces back as soft ambient fill. Good in a room with low light and white ceilings.

Height and placement

For reading, the bottom of the shade wants to be level with your shoulder when seated, which usually means a total lamp height of 58 to 64 inches. Place the lamp slightly behind and to the side of the chair so the light falls over your shoulder onto the page, rather than into your eyes.

How much light

For reading, look for 450 to 800 lumens at the bulb. For a lamp that is mostly there for atmosphere, 300 to 450 is plenty. Put it on a dimmer or pick a three-way bulb and one lamp covers both.

Related

Pair a floor lamp with table lamps at a different height — light at two levels is what makes a room feel layered rather than flat.