There is no doubt that proper lighting in a room is very important, regardless of whether the room is used for sleeping, relaxation, work, or pursuing favorite hobbies. No matter what the task, activity or purpose, good lighting design can add to the functionality of a room, as well as to the overall design and decor by creating and enhancing moods with light. Floor lamps have a great advantage over many other types of fixtures and lamps because they are portable.
With many types of lighting fixtures, such as recessed lights, chandeliers, wall lamps, and sconces, the lighting is permanently in place once the fixture has been installed. Even in the case of track lighting, which is so popular because it is permanent lighting that is still adjustable, there are still limitations. In addition, there is the additional cost and hassle involved in properly installing these modern fixtures, which often requires the expertise of an electrician or at the very least a handy and experienced do-it-yourselfer.
One of the great things about floor lamps is that they can easily be moved to different areas of a room and can augment the lighting exactly where it is needed the most. With a floor one, a dark corner can be brightened quickly without worrying about having the right furniture to set it on, such as you would need if using table ones to boost the lighting.
Many times, people will use both table lamps in conjunction with matching floor lamps to provide complete coverage for a room. The table ones can provide more focused light for reading and conversation, while the floor lamp fixtures often provide more of the ambient light. There are many manufacturers of light fixtures these days that make sets of lamps that include one or two table ones and a floor lamp in a coordinating style.
One thing that should be kept first and foremost in mind when choosing to include a floor lamp is safety. There was a time, not all that long ago, when this type of lamp was actually considered to be rather dangerous because they had a tendency to tip over easily. However, during the course of the last ten years or so, the lighting design manufacturers have been successful at improving the designs of these popular types of lamps.
These days, all floor lamps sold in the US must meet the requirements set out the UL for “tip-ability” standards. This UL certification shows that the floor one has a base that is heavy enough to minimize the potential for the lamp to fall over accidentally. This in turn reduces the chance of damage to the lamp due to a fall and injury to people nearby, as well as electrical shocks or fires that can result from a hot floor lamp being tipped over.
When the time comes to go shopping for floor lamps to enhance the lighting design in any room in your home, from living room, to den, to bedroom, you will encounter a vast array of styles and designs from which to choose. With such a wide selection available, it should not be difficult to find a floor lamp that will fit right into any room and improve the lighting for the area.