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Floor lamps are great for spicing up specific areas in your home or office. They help provide a diverse skyline, add light to dark areas, and when positioned purposefully, they can do away with the need for an overhead fixture. Selecting the best type of lighting for your needs is the first step. Halogen versus incandescent: Incandescent – Inexpensive and widely available. It casts a warm, friendly light that flatters both the room and people’s complexions. They come in a large range of types and colors. They are however, the lest energy-efficient, around 90% of energy is converted to heat, not light. Be sure to look at the wattage before selecting, a 40 watt bulb will not give off enough lighting for reading but is great for an accent light. Reading lamps provide best light when harboring a 150 or 100 watt 3-way bulb. Halogen – They emit a bright white light that is good for task lighting. They range from tubes to spots. The lower voltage generates less heat and generally they last much longer. Halogens, when overused, can result in “retail” lighting ambiance rather that “home lighting”. The “bulb” can be obtrusive and need hiding. Shades are the next big decision. Knowing the type of lighting you want is very important when considering the shade. Dark, heavy fabric, paper cone-shaped, and drum shades tend to let very little light come through but are essential when looking for accent lighting. A torchiere shoots the light upwards for vivid effects. When the need calls for task lighting, such as reading, shades that direct light downward should be selected. Next is the height of the lamp. Will it be positioned next to a sofa or chair? Will it be used for accent or task lighting? Styles to consider, contemporary, transitional or traditional? Price range – floor lamps are available in a wide range of prices. When having thought through these questions, you will be more aware of the styles offered and which type of floor lamp will best meet your needs. |