Heather Goerzen, design editor at online interior design company Havenly says it’s all about balance. “The designer rule of thumb is that every space should have two to four additional sources of light beyond overhead can lights. We call it ambiance,” says Goerzen. “They add visual interest to a space, helping draw the eye upward.” To find the best floor lamps we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind dimensions, material, switch styles, and maximum wattage. We also consulted Goerzen for additional insight. Overall, the best floor lamp is the Safavieh Watson Floor Lamp. The lamp has a simple, minimal style that’ll work well in just about any room. Plus, both the light shade and height are adjustable, so you can set it however works best for you. Keep in Mind: It’s only offered in one finish. The lamp is offered only in a black finish and has a simple style that can work in a variety of spaces. It comes with an LED bulb, which makes it easier to get started with it once it’s assembled. The lamp is less than 14 pounds, so it’s lightweight enough to move around until you find the ideal spot. The power cord is 6 feet, so you should be able to place it wherever you’d like without any issues. Price at time of publish: $164 Product Details: Dimensions: 11 x 27 x 55 inches | Materials: Metal | Switch Style: Foot-switch | Max Wattage: Not listed Keep in Mind: Incandescent bulbs are not recommended. The minimal lamp has a bell-shaped shade that’ll hover just where you need it. The simplicity of the lamp makes it easy to pair it with a variety of design aesthetics, especially modern or farmhouse. At just over 60 inches tall, you can set the lamp behind your couch or favorite chair for a direct, yet still cozy light. It features a 5-foot cord, so you won’t have an issue plugging it in. Unlike some other styles, the lamp offers the option to include an LED bulb at an additional cost. You can purchase it without a bulb, but keep in mind that incandescent bulbs are not recommended to use with this lamp. Price at time of publish: $50 Product Details: Dimensions: 29.75 x 7.12 x 60.38 inches | Materials: Metal | Switch Style: Rotary switch | Max Wattage: 60 watt LED Keep in Mind: A lightbulb comes included for an additional cost. Whether you’re curled up in your reading nook or just want to turn your overhead lighting off, you’ll appreciate that the arched style will give you lighting right where you need it. The lamp works with an LED bulb, and you can choose whether or not you want to include one with your purchase. Just keep in mind that it’s an additional cost, unlike some other styles. Price at time of publish: $112 Product Details: Dimensions: 16 x 16 x 71 inches | Materials: Metal | Switch Style: Foot-switch | Max Wattage: Not listed Keep in Mind: It’s more expensive than other options, and the three-way rotary switch only works with a three-way lightbulb. The lamp comes with a three-way rotary socket switch to produce different levels of light (similar to a dimmer) but keep in mind you need a three-way bulb to make it work. If you don’t have one, however, a regular 150-watt LED-compatible option will get the job done—just with an on/off switch at the lamp’s brightest setting. Although the lamp is more expensive than some other styles, it features a 71-inch power cord that makes it easy to set it up in just about any space. Price at time of publish: $340 Product Details: Dimensions: 18 x 62.25 inches | Materials: Metal, solid wood | Switch Style: Three-way rotary switch and on/off switch | Max Wattage: 150 watt LED Keep in Mind: It has a very minimal style, so it’s not ideal if you prefer a decorative piece. Though the lamp skews towards an industrial aesthetic, it could easily suit a farmhouse and modern home, depending on how you style it. Just keep in mind that it has a very minimal look, so it’s not ideal if you want it to be decorative as well. Unlike other styles, it comes with a 6-watt LED lightbulb so you’ll be able to set it up right away and see how it looks. Once assembled, you’ll appreciate the 65-inch height that draws the eye upward, as well as the easy-to-use foot switch. You can also use a smart plug to turn it on and off via voice command or an app. Price at time of publish: $72 Product Details: Dimensions: 6.7 x 65 inches | Materials: Metal, glass | Switch Style: Foot-switch | Max Wattage: Not listed Keep in Mind: The white lampshade may be prone to dirt and dust and need to be cleaned often. At 76 inches tall, this is one of the bigger options on our list, so you’ll want to pay close attention to your space’s dimensions to ensure it’ll work. Luckily, the 12-foot power cord makes it easy to place it wherever you’d like in the room. Just be mindful of placing it somewhere you’re able to clean it easily, as the white lampshade may attract noticeable dirt and dust. Once it’s set up, you’ll need an E26 type A 60-watt max or equivalent lightbulb. The lamp features an on/off foot switch, a breeze to use as long as the cord isn’t hidden. You can also always opt for a smart plug, which will help you turn it on and off via voice command or an app. Price at time of publish: $250 Product Details: Dimensions: 30.3 x 20 x 76 inches | Materials: Rubberwood, rattan, and fabric | Switch Style: Foot-switch | Max Wattage: E26 type A 60-watt maximum or equivalent Keep in Mind: This floor lamp is on the shorter side compared to other styles, so whether or not it works in your space depends on your preferences. At 58.5 inches high, the lamp is shorter than some other styles, so you’ll want to consider your preferences and how you want your space to look. It doesn’t come with a lightbulb, so while you shop for one, keep in mind that the three-way rotary switch on the socket, which allows you to choose from three levels of brightness, requires a three-way lightbulb. While you design your space, it’s worth noting that the lamp is also offered as a table lamp as well. You can either mix and match the colors, or create a cohesive look depending on your preferences. Price at time of publish: $200 Product Details: Dimensions: 16 x 58.5 inches | Materials: Rubberwood and fabric | Switch Style: Three-way rotary switch | Max Wattage: 150 watts Keep in Mind: It’s only offered in one color combination. Part of what makes this pick one of the best floor lamps is the swing arm that can rotate a full 180 degrees, so you can direct the light wherever you need it. The shade can also be adjusted vertically and lock itself into place as well. At 67 inches in height, the floor lamp is on the taller side and will draw the eye up, making the ceiling look higher than it is. Above the socket is a three-way rotary switch for you to control the brightness, though keep in mind you’ll need a three-way bulb for it to work. Price at time of publish: $150 Product Details: Dimensions: 11 x 29 x 67 inches | Materials: Metal and fabric | Switch Style: Three-way rotary socket | Max Wattage: 150 watts Keep in Mind: The power cord hangs from the top of the lamp, so it’s more visible than it would be on other styles. Part of what makes this style one of the best floor lamps is that it can work with a variety of interior design styles, like farmhouse, transitional, and midcentury modern. As with all tripod floor lamps, it’s important to remember that this lamp will take up more floor space than others, so it’s not ideal if you want to tuck it away behind furniture. There’s also no central body for the electrical cord to be strung through, so it will hang down from the top and be more visible than it would in other styles. Unlike some other lamps, this option also allows you to choose whether or not you want to include one LED lightbulb with your order. It does make for an additional cost, however you’ll be able to use it as soon as you set it up. Price at time of publish: $115 Product Details: Dimensions: 16 x 17.5 x 60 inches | Materials: Wood, metal, and fabric | Switch Style: Rotary switch | Max Wattage: 150 watts Keep in Mind: It’s more expensive than other styles and may not illuminate an entire room. The light may not illuminate an entire room, but you can use it to create mood lighting by putting the floor lamp against the wall and taking in the warm, vertical glow it imparts. It’s not very tall, and thanks to its 8-inch diameter, it’s slim enough to fit pretty much anywhere. The floor lamp is more expensive than other styles, so you’ll want to be sure the style works in your space. It’s protected by a year-long warranty, however, which holds up against the light’s material and workmanship defects. Price at time of publish: $350 Product Details: Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 58 inches | Materials: Marble and aluminum | Switch Style: Foot-switch | Max Wattage: Not listed Keep in Mind: It’s less decorative than other styles. Part of what makes this one of the best floor lamps is that the light can be rotated 350 degrees, as well as tilted from straight up to nearly parallel to the floor. Though the height is about 69 inches, the base is on the heavier side so you won’t have to worry about it tilting. This floor lamp is offered in six different colors, so you can choose which you prefer. Just keep in mind that it’s not as decorative as some other picks, so it’s not the best floor lamp if you want a more on-trend. Price at time of publish: $90 Product Details: Dimensions: 12.2 x 4.33 x 68.9 inches | Materials: Iron | Switch Style: Touch | Max Wattage: 30 watts Keep in Mind: You need a hardwired dimmer switch. With this lamp you can choose from multiple base finishes—brass, black, and chrome—as well as between frosted or clear light shades. When deciding between the shades, one thing to consider is that if you pick the transparent ones, you’ll be able to see the lightbulbs very clearly whether the lights are turned on or off. Plus, you’ll need a hardwired dimmer switch. Price at time of publish: $285 Product Details: Dimensions: 17.5 x 65.5 inches | Materials: Marble and metal | Switch Style: Foot switch | Max Wattage: 40 watt Keep in Mind: At 65 inches it may be too tall for some spaces. The lamp, which is less expensive than other styles, is offered in either a black or brass finish. The curved arm has a vintage-inspired look and allows you to move the shade around. The floor lamp is 65 inches tall, so you’ll want to be mindful that you have enough space for it to clear wherever you place it. There is an 8-foot power cord, however, so you shouldn’t have any issues. Price at time of publish: $91 Product Details: Dimensions: 20 x 12 x 65 inches | Materials: Metal | Switch Style: Foot-switch | Max Wattage: 100-watt incandescent, 9-watt LED, 23-watt fluorescent (CFL), or 9-watt self-ballasted LED
What to Know About Floor Lamps Before Shopping
Dimensions
Like any other piece of furniture, it’s important to know the size of the floor lamp to determine if it works well in your space, in regards to both style and needs. “Most floor lamps are approximately the same height dimension, but they range in terms of width,” Goerzen says. “I tend to use lamps to create some contrast in a room. If everything is feeling larger and more blocky, then I might turn to a slender stand. However, if I want to add balance and visual weight, then I might consider a thicker, more sculptural base.”
Materials
Floor lamps are generally offered with either a wood or metal base. In terms of which is the best floor lamp material, it really comes down to your home’s aesthetic. For example, brass is more luxe while plaster is more modern. “Materiality is best determined by your style preferences,” Goerzen says. “I often like for lamps to be more noticed in a space, adding a contrasting color or texture. So if it’s all very neutral in the room, popping in some wood or iron; whereas if leaning more dark and moody, maybe a little brass to make it shine.”
Switch Style
Floor lamps are often tucked around or behind other pieces of furniture, which makes how you turn them on and off an important consideration. Touch and remote are two of the most convenient options because it doesn’t involve accessing the cord. A foot switch does require that access to the power cord, as does a three-way rotary switch and on/off switch. If none of these options are preferable, consider a floor lamp that’s compatible with a smart plug or outlet so you can simply use a voice command or an app to control it.
Max Wattage
Since you can’t use the same lightbulbs for every lamp in your home, you’ll want to check with the specific lamp you choose to determine what type of lightbulb wattage you’ll need. Otherwise, it could cause a potential hazard in your space.
Your Questions, Answered
What kind of floor lamp provides the most light?
When it comes to floor lamps, the amount of light can really come down to the lamp’s shade. “Large, neutral shades will cast a lovely, even light to illuminate a bigger area,” Goerzen says. “Task or arc lamps are more directional.”
How many watts should a floor lamp be?
There’s no single number of watts you should look for in a floor lamp as each lamp has its own requirements. That said, 60 or 150 watts are the most common recommendations, with 150 watts typically being the max.
Who We Are
Quincy Bulin is a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens. To make this list, she spent many hours researching the best floor lamps with consideration to dimensions, materials, switch style, and max wattage. She also consulted with Heather Goerzen, design editor at Havenly.
