Floor lamp is

For local lighting, compact table lamps and pendant lights are often used. However, they should not be limited only. Try reading in the evening under the floor lamp - and you will not want to return to the previous options.

What is a floor lamp?

A floor lamp is a floor lamp, the classic version of which consists of a base, a column and a lampshade. In modern interpretations, the function of the base and the leg is sometimes performed by the same element, and the ceiling, in general, may be absent.

Key Features

Key differences from other lighting devices: installation method and the presence of a light-scattering lampshade. His eyes do not get tired. This property is appreciated by book lovers: they put floor lamps next to sofas and armchairs, where they usually spend leisure time.

Also, with the help of such a lamp it is easy to zone the room, on this topic you can find a lot of photos. It will light the work area and the place to relax. Some use paired floor lamps to highlight the way out of the room, but this is not quite the right approach. A high floor light source for such an operation is not stable enough.

IMPORTANT. It is generally accepted that a floor lamp must be high. Now this myth is diligently dispelled. Along with the classic 1.5-meter, 60-70-centimeter devices are produced. And they are not always installed on the floor. Sometimes placed on the table.

An additional function of the lamp is decorative. It can become the main decoration in the room, a bright spot due to the unusual column, richly decorated or stylized lampshade.

Varieties

Floor lamps are divided according to the following principles:

• floor lamp, base and column material;
• dimensions (height, massiveness);
• installation method (on the floor or on a horizontal surface);
• the presence of additional elements (for example, shelves);
• control method (presence and location of power buttons, the possibility of remote activation and settings);
• the ability to adjust the power of the light flux (this allows the dimmer);
• leg shape (straight, curved, flexible, articulated, tripod);
• the presence and number of lampshades;
• type of lighting (accent, background, main).

There are also models with directional, reflected and scattered light. The classic version of floor lamps is a source of scattered rays. If the rotation and tilt of the lamp can be changed, then we are talking about a directional type. When reflected, the inclusion of walls, ceiling, floor or other interior items is mandatory: with the help of their rays creep, refract and reflect.

Devices are produced that are characterized immediately by 2 or even 3 lighting methods. Usually this opportunity opens up with additional shades: the central one sends scattered or reflected rays, the side one sends directional ones. This design is often shaky, but it is convenient to read and do needlework with it.

Production material

Material is closely related to style. The classic direction is characterized by the use of fabric and paper in the manufacture of lampshades, for country - wood and metals, for Provence - fabric (usually richly embroidered or decorated with ribbons), for hi-tech - metal and glass. Glass and crystal mosaic plafonds often hint at Tiffany, and created from twigs and branches refer to eco-style and oriental traditions. Japanese and Chinese style is also visible in terms of decor. These trends are characterized by minimalism. The foundation is very often made of wood (classic, oriental, eco-style, country), stone, metal (hi-tech, art deco), clay. The columns are made of clay, willow rods, metal, glass, plastic, rattan.

Dimensions

Useful size notes:

• a high floor lamp is not suitable for a small room with a low ceiling (it will begin to fulfill the function of central lighting, but the room will not be flooded with light as evenly as from a chandelier);
• a low floor lamp will be lost among massive furniture;
• in spacious rooms with really high ceilings, floor lamps are installed with a height of more than 1.5 m;
• one and a half meters and slightly lower are suitable for the area next to an armchair, table, bed;
• small models - about a meter or less in height - have a decorative function (they are not suitable for work or reading, in these cases additional light sources must be used).

Also, with caution, you need to approach the purchase of a high floor lamp, in which a very flexible and thin column ends with 1 large lampshade or many small ones. This design is too shaky, its leg changing its direction over time, it will begin to worse hold the ceiling (it will bend under their weight).

Modern solutions

Interesting look devices in which the light sources are hidden. Until you turn on such a floor lamp, it will look like a sculpture or monument. Attention worthy and stylized lamps. They immediately show which style direction they belong to. Due to the presence of such products on the market, it is difficult to make a mistake and buy a model that does not harmonize with the situation. Another merit of modern designers: their departure from classical norms allowed to solve the problem of precariousness. Now you can find a very stable floor lamp, not on 1 thin leg, but on a thick one or several. In contrast to such reliable and safe options, fire hazardous ones are also implemented. These include models in which an elongated glass column has a light source. At the first fall, such a lamp will break and, most likely, will become a source of ignition.

IMPORTANT. A lampshade is not an easy beautiful detail characteristic of floor lamps. If it is made of unbreakable material - leather, fabric, plastic or metal - it can be regarded as additional protection for the light bulb.

How to choose

To begin with, it is worth determining where and how the floor lamp will be used. Based on this point, it is easy to find out:

• the required level of protection against moisture and dust (marking: IP);
• power;
• weight and size.

A stable type made of moisture resistant materials (IP should be above 20) is suitable for the nursery. For the kitchen, buy a lighting fixture with a protection level of IP54, for the bathroom - a floor lamp with an IP65 rating. For a typical living room, look for an IP20 lighting fixture.

IMPORTANT. The indicated values ​​are relevant only for dry apartments and private houses. If the room is damp, humidity seeps from the roof or basement, then you should choose a floor lamp with an enhanced moisture protection system.

Permissible limits of weight and size can also be calculated, given the method and place of operation. If the device is not purchased for a specific room and not for a specific place in it, then it will be moved and rearranged. Therefore, he should not weigh a lot and be too high (this will affect stability).Unusual proportions can also affect stability - it is difficult to balance a floor lamp, in which the column bends, has a slope, or in addition to the central lampshade, there is another one located on the side. In the latter case, the second lampshade will be outweighed, unless the manufacturer has figured out how to balance the design. Because of this, the lamp will often fall, which, in turn, is fraught with fire. Even more threaten are lighting devices, in the construction of which, in general, there is no lampshade. A place for them is selected taking into account the high risk of fire. They definitely should not be used in rooms with a large flow of people, in nurseries, in living rooms, in the kitchen, in the corridor and in restrooms. But they will fit well into the interior of a bachelor’s home, home office and needlework room - wherever an adult is in seclusion and away from moisture sources, as well as where animals and children do not have access.

In terms of power, you can rely on the following observations:

• for an analogue of a night lamp, 50 W is enough;
• background and dim lighting create with the help of floor lamps 100 W;
• install a device with a power of 150 W near the chair;
• lamps in which 200 W lamps can be installed will replace central lighting;
• 500 W is already an option for industrial premises or for spacious halls in mansions.

In no case can you ignore the manufacturer's instructions regarding the power of the bulbs. This can cause damage to the lamp and cause a fire.