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The first thought that comes to mind when designing a space from scratch is often the furniture, accent pieces, rugs, and maybe even the wall color. But the lighting you have is just as much of an important design element. Not only does it brighten the room, but naturally diffused light creates ambiance and can completely transform the look of your home. Without good lighting, all those interior decor details you put hard work into gets lost. That's why designers say investing in the right floor lamp should be top of mind as well.
“I personally love a floor lamp as opposed to overhead lighting because it gives a softer and more intimate glow," says Jenni Kayne, designer and founder of Jenni Kayne Home. "When it comes to sourcing, I always gravitate towards vintage. It’s so fun to shop for and it’s an easy way to add some dimension and interest to your space without it overtaking the room.”
Charlie Dumais, lighting designer and founder of Dumais Made, also notes that "there are various sources of light that provide different functions," and a floor lamp, in particular, provides ambient lighting. "Their purpose is to light the breadth of a space rather than a single area, becoming beacons within a room. They light 360 degrees through a soft shade for an even glow throughout," says Dumais, adding: "It’s also important to understand vantage points. When we design our floor lamps, we take special care to ensure that they can be viewed from all angles."
Because the world of lighting is pretty vast, we did the research, along with help from Kayne and Dumais, to share the best floor lamps for every room in your home. Shop our top picks below.
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Bang for Your Buck
Simple Designs Mother-Daughter Floor Lamp with Reading Light
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Modern
Mitzi x Zoe Feldman Georgann Floor Lamp
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Modern
Mitzi x Zoe Feldman Georgann Floor Lamp
Pros
- Minimalist design goes well in most rooms
- Built to last
Cons
Kayne is a fan of the Georgann by Mitzi in collaboration with interior designer Zoe Feldman. A modern take on the traditional floor lamp, this brass number features clean lines and tapered shades and is finished with a forest green color for an added pop of color.
| Height | 52" |
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| Wattage | 15W |
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Whimsical Waves
West Elm Zigzag Floor Lamp
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Whimsical Waves
West Elm Zigzag Floor Lamp
Pros
- Versatile and can go anywhere
- Compatible with smart bulbs
Cons
A squiggly floor lamp is a playful way to add charm to any space. It's guaranteed to be the centerpiece of the room, too.
| Height | 64" |
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| Wattage | 100W incandescent bulb or LED equivalent |
Pros
- Available in three colors
- Adds texture to any space
Cons
A floor lamp can often be an afterthought, but this velvet number from Anthropologie is anything but that. From the lush upholstery to the stunning terracotta hue, this is the kind of piece that'll have guests and visitors talking.
One reviewer says: "This is such a statement piece. It adds great texture and color to the room. Shows just like the photos."
| Height | 65" |
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| Wattage | 60W |
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Bang for Your Buck
Simple Designs Mother-Daughter Floor Lamp with Reading Light
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Bang for Your Buck
Simple Designs Mother-Daughter Floor Lamp with Reading Light
Now 13% Off
Pros
- Easy to put together
- 3-way lighting
Cons
You can't go wrong with a simple lamp, equipped with a 3-way switch that allows you to set the mood with different lighting settings and a separate adjustable mini light that can be positioned where you need it most. The fact it's under $40 and has 22k-worth of reviews doesn't hurt either.
One shopper raves: "I love the lamp for a great price. I used a brighter bulb for the top lamp and a dimmer light bulb for the smaller light. I love it for my living room and Soo easy to assemble thank you."
| Height | 71" |
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| Wattage | 100W |
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For Large Spaces
Dumais Made TRI Floor Lamp
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For Large Spaces
Dumais Made TRI Floor Lamp
Pros
- Great for rooms with high ceilings
- Creates ambience
Cons
"When people are placing a floor lamp, I think about the scale of a room and function of light," says Dumais. "TRI was initially a custom for a client, scaled for expansive spaces with taller ceilings where it took the place of smaller ambient light sources. Because it has such a slim, lithe profile and also provides a lot of light, you get a lot out of a piece with such slight but tall scale."
| Height | 64" |
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| Wattage | E26 / 110-120V / 3.8W |
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Mid-Century Modern
West Elm Mid-Century Tripod Floor Lamp
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Mid-Century Modern
West Elm Mid-Century Tripod Floor Lamp
Pros
- Goes great in any space
- Provides ample light
Cons
Add a touch of mid-century modern flare to your living room with a tripod-style lamp featuring a unique perforated light diffuser that casts a cozy glow.
| Height | 66" |
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| Wattage | 23W CFL bulb or a 100W incandescent bulb |
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2-in-1
Pottery Barn Delaney Marble Floor Lamp
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2-in-1
Pottery Barn Delaney Marble Floor Lamp
Pros
- Has a built-in functional mini table
- Great for small spaces
Cons
The genius of this Pottery Barn best-seller? Not only does the Delaney offer ample light, but it has a built-in marble table for your cup of coffee, glass of wine, remote, book, or anything else really.
| Overall | 65" |
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| Wattage | 100W, type A Standard, 23W CFL or 9W LED |
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Arched
Soho Home Spencer Arc Floor Lamp
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Arched
Soho Home Spencer Arc Floor Lamp
Pros
- Large enough for places with extra-high ceilings
- Features dimmer switches to adjust lighting
Cons
A sculptural floor lamp, featuring a solid oak frame and antique brass base, is great for places with high ceilings and will look lovely perched over your sofa or desk.
| Height | 79.5" |
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| Wattage | 1 / E26 / 9W Maximum |
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Rustic
Serena & Lily Larkspur Floor Lamp
Pros
- Available in four colors
- Provides warm glow
Cons
Light and airy, Serena & Lily's brass and rattan floor lamp is perfect for a rustic space or home by the coast.
| Height | 52" |
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| Wattage | 60W max. |
Sophie Dweck
Sophie Dweck is the associate shopping editor for Town & Country, where she covers beauty, fashion, home and décor, and more.
