The 12 Best Floor Lamps for Illuminating Any Space

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Lighting is practical, but good lighting should provide both function and an ambience for your space. Floor lamps are a great way to add an illuminating, homey touch to a living room or favorite reading corner and there are enough options on the market to suit any need and home aesthetic.

If you need to light up an entire room, then you’ll require something that doesn’t direct all of its light in a single direction with a narrow beam; if you want a lamp over a reading chair, then a diffused light in the corner won’t effectively serve your purposes, either. We’ve gathered a variety of floor lamps that will provide the light you need where you’ll need it.

What to Consider

Size

The most important consideration when selecting a floor lamp is how much space it will occupy in your home. It’s important to consider not only the size of a lamp’s base, but its height to ensure that it will fit in your space and work well, proportion-wise, with your existing furniture. We’ve included dimensions for all of the lamps listed below, so make sure you measure the available space you’re thinking of putting it in before you buy.

Bulb Type

If you want to be able to replace the bulbs in your lamp, a model that accepts incandescent or LED bulbs is your best bet. On the other hand, some of the models listed include integrated LEDs, which will last for years, but can't typically be replaced by users.

Switch Type

Floor switches, which can generally be operated with your foot, are a great choice for those with limited manual dexterity, but may not be the right choice for homes with young children or pets, who may inadvertently turn the lamp on or off. Pull chains are typically easy to use, but are slightly less sturdy than rotary switches. Rotary switches are typical on a variety of lamp types, but aren't always easy to access and may prove challenging for those with less manual dexterity. And touch lamps are easy to use, but run the risk of being turned on accidentally when bumped.

How We Selected

To determine the best floor lamps on the market, we turned to research on inexpensive floor lamps and arc floor lamps conducted by the editors at Best Products. We then combed through popular models from retailers including Amazon, Pottery Barn, Walmart, Wayfair, and West Elm, selecting floor lamps that represent a unique mix of styles, from antique-inspired pieces to modern minimalist ones. We also included lamps that can use different types of bulbs, from integrated LEDs to standard incandescent models, and ones with a variety of switch types, so it's easy to select one that suits your personal preferences. Finally, we weeded out any lamps with user or critic reports of major quality issues or design flaws to bring you the best of the best.

For more genius ways to brighten up your home, check out our picks for the best desk lamps and the best wireless charging lamps.

Standing Lamp

A mother-daughter lamp like this one is a classic design that gives you the ability to choose between task lighting, ambiance, or both. The gooseneck reading lamp is adjustable to illuminate work or reading spaces, and the large main lamp will light up any room; the three-way rotary switch on the pole lets you turn on the reading lamp, main lamp, or both. It comes in seven different finishes so you can tailor it to your room’s style.

Reviewers insist the weighted base is sleek but sturdy, so the lamp won’t wobble or take up a lot of space. Some weren’t pleased that the LED bulbs aren't replaceable, but most reviews say they last for years and haven't found it to be an issue.

Tray Table Floor Lamp

A tray table lamp is great for those that are limited on space and could use a bit of extra surface area for their items. This retro design will fit both modern and vintage settings while providing a place to put a book or drink. It has an antique brass finish and linen lampshade to bolster its traditional aesthetic, and the glass tray table adds a contemporary detail.

Reviewers say it's a good addition that’s “simple, but elegant” and that both the stand and table are sturdy and “feel well-designed."

Mid Century Globe Floor Lamp

This mid-century chic floor lamp will appeal to fans of modern and minimalist design styles alike. The retro style has two frosted globe shades that will provide a warm light for cozy spaces. Its heavy-duty base and metal pole give it good stability and the foot switch gives you convenient on/off functionality.

It comes in both silver and antique brass finishes to complement your style and the sleek design will go with a wide array of décor.

Modern Retro Lamp

This stylish lamp seamlessly melds mid-century and contemporary aesthetics with its tear-drop-shaped metal base and bronze finish. Its longer fabric shade keeps the vertical lines sleek, though it's best for corners with some room as reviewers mention it looks bigger in person and the base is heavy.

Customers love the lamp's unique shape and say that this “statement piece” gives off "excellent" light.

Asymmetry Ceramic Floor Lamp

An all-white finish gives this ceramic floor lamp a clean look that is well-suited for any minimalist or modern space. The linen shade gives off a diffused light that creates a relaxed ambience and is compatible with dimming bulbs; the ceramic body provides a sturdy base, and the on/off switch is conveniently located at your foot.

Its cord is wrapped in gray cloth and is more discreet than the typical thick, black cord that accompanies many appliances, adding to the overall soft effect this lamp will have in any living space.

Modern Standing Lamp

This top-rated choice from Amazon has three different light temperatures so it will work in different environments: the clear white is good for tasks and desk spaces, cool white serves a reading corner well, and the warm white has a soft yellow effect for relaxing at night. You can also shift the shade 90 degrees allowing you to easily direct the light.

Its 11-pound base is stable enough to withstand bumps from pets and kids and reviewers found this to be “great quality for the price.”

Sculptural Glass Floor Lamp

If you’re specific about your home's style, then this custom option from West Elm may be perfect for you. The base is a sleek metal pole with a curved hanging bulb—the ideal blank canvas that will fit in with any existing design scheme.

You choose the finish, shade color, and shade shape. The “clear” and “milk” shade colors will give you five stylish shape options—versus the two offered in other hues—to add a more personal touch to your reading nook or living room.

Jack LED Floor Lamp

The minimalist modern design of this floor lamp will serve best as a task or reading lamp over the corner of a couch or desk. Its thin angular lines, matte black finish, and integrated LED bulb keep it compact and the adjustable arm allows you to direct light. It has three different light settings that you control from the touch switch located under the arm joint.

Rice Paper Floor Lamp

This trendy paper lamp adds elegance by swapping the expected metal base for a solid dark wooden one. Two bulb sockets distribute soft light for a warmer atmosphere and the textured rice paper shade brings dimension to both large and small spaces.

Reviewers love how easy it is to assemble and were surprised at the quality of the construction for the price. Rice paper is naturally fragile, so be careful when handling the shade, but customers say this is a “nice, modern-looking lamp" at a great price point.

Brynn Floor Lamp

This rustic floor lamp is an earthy option that is handcrafted from terracotta clay and topped with a diffused shade for an illuminating warm accent. It has a textured matte finish and is compatible with smart dimming bulbs, though they are sold separately.

It has a soft glow from a single bulb, so it’s better suited for ambiance than used as a reading light, but it’ll make a statement either way.

Storage Shelf Shade Lamp

A good option if you’re tight on space or storage is a floor lamp with multiple shelves. The open box frame with three storage shelves can hold books, plants, and any other decorative knick knacks you want to display. The cloth shade diffuses the light, but reviewers say it provides more than enough since the top is uncovered.

Customers love the easy assembly and say it is stable, but that the shelves aren’t meant to hold anything too heavy—they’re mostly meant for décor accents.

Marble Arc Lamp

Arc lamps are good as a central light source for a large area like a living room or master bedroom. This one swoops over your sectional or sofa, providing light where you need it at a 60-degree curve and is held in place by a weighty marble base that can be placed in small corners.

It's available in either an antique-brass or brushed-steel finish, making it easy to coordinate with your home's existing décor.

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