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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
A top-quality floor lamp will complement your overhead lighting, providing an area-specific light source while creating a cozy vibe. We've spent hours researching and testing dozens of floor lamps, evaluating switch, shade, and bulb types, sturdiness, and overall value.
Our top pick, the Brightech Carter LED Floor Lamp, is affordable, versatile, and has a three-year product warranty.
Here are the best floor lamps for every budget and style.
Best Overall
Brightech Carter LED Floor Lamp
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Amazon
Impressive warranty
Affordable
Smart Home compatible
Lamp shade setup is confusing
Versatile, sleek, and surprisingly affordable, Brightech's Carter Floor Lamp is a no-brainer. It combines elements of both retro mid-century and modern industrial style, with a metal base and slim build complete with a walnut finish, fabric shade, and pull chain switch. To put it simply, this lamp just works, no matter your space or style.
Assembly is fairly simple, although setting up the lampshade is a little tricky. The shade comes folded to make everything fit in a smaller box, and then you have to unravel it attach it to the base. The process isn't long, especially once you figure out the method, but it is a bit counter-intuitive. Despite that, this is a seriously stylish, well-made lamp that will make just about anyone happy.
Price at time of publish: $120
Dimensions: 65 x 11 inches; shade is 19 x 10 inches | Max Wattage: 150 | Switch: Pull Chain | Power Source: Corded | Bulb Included: Yes | Warranty: Five years
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The Spruce / Camryn Rabideau
Best Budget
Cresswell Lighting Articulating Floor Lamp
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Versatile style
Affordable
Adjustable arm
Won't illuminate the entire room
It may be described as “antique,” but this black and brass floor lamp works with most decor styles. Simple and unimposing, it has an articulating arm that lets you position light directly where you want it. Since the swing arm is height-adjustable, this is a good pick for spaces that might multi-task throughout the day, such as your WFH space.
Thanks to its bell shade and adjustable arm, it’s almost more of a task lamp than a floor lamp. This isn’t a bad thing if you're using it for a bedroom, home office, or reading corner, but just take note that it won't illuminate the entire room. And of course, there’s no complaining about its price.
Price at time of publish: $49
Dimensions: 54.5 x 22.25 inches | Max Wattage: 100 | Switch: Rotary | Power Source: Corded | Bulb Included: No | Warranty: One year
Best Arc
Adesso Bowery Arc Floor Lamp
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Amazon
Available in two finishes
Affordable
Adjustable arm
Heavier than most lamps, making it a bit more difficult to put together
Arc lamps are ideal for small living rooms where you’d like a floor lamp with a small footprint that can still take center stage. There are more than a few options out there to choose from, but beware that they can topple over easily if they don’t have a solid base.
The Bowery Arc Lamp is a sturdier version of this classic design, and its big selling point is its solid marble base. Not only does it help stabilize the lamp itself, but it also just looks great if the lamp is placed out in an open living room or bedroom. Available in two finishes and at an affordable price, this arc lamp is hard to beat.
Price at time of publish: $213
Dimensions: 73.5 x 48 inches | Max Wattage: 100 | Switch: Rotary | Power Source: Corded | Bulb Included: No | Warranty: One year
Best Modern
AllModern Flemings Task Floor Lamp
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Wayfair
No bulb replacement
Touch switch
Adjustable
Won't illuminate the entire room
No warranty
AllModern’s Flemings LED Task Floor Lamp is a standout option for a modern floor lamp, especially if you're trying to light up a reading nook. It has a sleek, unobtrusive design as well as a built-in LED light that can be adjusted with a touch. Its adjustable design lets you focus light on your book or desk, so it’s a great pick for living rooms, bedrooms, or offices where you could use an extra spotlight. There are both brushed steel and black and gold versions available, both of which can add a nice modern touch to any space.
Price at time of publish: $175
Dimensions: 63 x 30.5 inches | Max Wattage: 9 | Switch: Touch | Power Source: Corded | Bulb Included: Built-in | Warranty: No
Best With Shelf
PB Teen Harrison Shelf Floor Lamp
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Built-in USB ports
Versatile style
Bulb included
Expensive
Even if you’re a full-grown adult, it’s worth checking out Pottery Barn Teen’s selection of floor lamps. While the Harrison Shelf Floor Lamp may have been designed with teens in mind, it’s surprisingly sophisticated and is a top choice for a floor lamp that also offers extra shelf space.
In addition to its sleek gold frame and three white shelves, it has two USB ports for charging your phone or other tech accessories. This is a great choice if you’re looking for a floor lamp that can double as a nightstand, or if you want to create a little hub for Bluetooth speakers and some decorative accessories in your living space.
Dimensions: 62.25 x 12.5 inches | Max Wattage: 9 | Switch: Rotary | Power Source: Corded | Bulb Included: Yes | Warranty: No
Best Wood
LEPOWER Wood Tripod Floor Lamp
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Courtesy of Amazon
Made of durable rubberwood
Affordable
Textured linen shade
Foot switch means the base can't be in a hard to reach spot
Wood floor lamps can warm up a space even when they’re not turned on, and this budget-friendly option from Amazon checks all the boxes. It’s affordable, functional, and adds some visual texture thanks to the linen shade and tripod construction.
While it's modeled after classic mid-century modern designs, it could work with industrial or even rustic decor. Assembly is easy and the lamp comes with an extra-long cord, so it can be placed pretty much anywhere. Plus, it has a foot switch that lets you switch it on or off hands-free.
Price at time of publish: $90
Dimensions: 17.72 x 17.72 x 59.72 inches | Max Wattage: 60 | Switch: Foot | Power Source: Corded | Bulb Included: No | Warranty: No
Best Farmhouse
Birch Lane Theodora Swing Arm Floor Lamp
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Three-way rotary switch
Two shade color options
Adjustable
No warranty, but you can add on a five-year protection plan
Besides all the modern floor lamp options out there, there are some that would look right at home in a farmhouse chic setting. This swing arm floor lamp has an antique and slightly rustic look but is just as functional as any of our other picks. Its swing arm makes it perfect for placing in a reading nook or beside your bed, where you may want to easily adjust the angle of the lighting regularly. The burlap shade and antique pewter finish bring in the farmhouse vibes for a versatile lamp that makes a cozy style statement.
Price at time of publish: $191
Dimensions: 61 x 29 inches | Max Wattage: 150 | Switch: Rotary | Power Source: Corded | Bulb Included: No | Warranty: No
Best Industrial
Addlon Floor Lamp
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Smart Home compatible
Affordable
Comes in several finishes
Foot switch means the base can't be in a hard to reach spot
This lamp stands out because it works with any decor, from industrial chic to mid-century modern. It’s affordable, and it comes with an LED Edison bulb that completes the whole industrial vibe. It’s also available in a number of finishes to complement any decor and has a glass shade that lets the bulb itself really shine. This is a great choice for creating a cozy reading nook or as a floor lamp to help illuminate your work from home space. At well under $100, it’s a great value and decidedly practical.
Price at time of publish: $90
Dimensions: 66 x 10 inches | Max Wattage: 60 | Switch: Foot | Power Source: Corded | Bulb Included: Yes | Warranty: Not listed
What to Look For in a Floor Lamp
Switch Types
Most floor lamps have rotary switches, which is a just a knob you turn off, and some even offer three adjustable light levels. This is really helpful if you’re placing your floor lamp next to your desk, reading nook, or any other area where you might want to adjust light levels throughout the day. That said, foot switches (the kind that has a button you step on to turn the lamp on or off) can be a convenient option for living rooms and other spaces where hands-free convenience is key. Just be sure the base is in an easy-to-reach place, and not behind a chair or sofa.
Shade Types
Choosing the right type of lampshade mostly depends on whether you’d like warm, diffused light in your space or a brighter glow that maximizes wattage. If your new floor lamp is going to be purely practical, choose one that has a glass or plastic shade. Drum shades, particularly of the linen or burlap variety, can add a level of ambiance but won't provide bright light to a large space.
Bulb Types
Most floor lamps are compatible with LED bulbs, but always be sure to check. LEDs use up to 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and can last 25 times longer, so there's no reason not to opt for floor lamps that are compatible with them. If you're someone who can't live without Smart Home devices, there are plenty of Alexa and Google Assistant-compatible lamps out there. They just might be a tad more expensive.
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How do you pack floor lamps for moving?
If you're moving, floor lamps can be cumbersome to pack, but these tips will help. First always remove the lightbulb so it doesn't shatter. Second, if there is a lampshade, remove it, and pack it separately; pack it in a box so it doesn't bend or break. If possible, take the lamp base apart and wrap it bubble wrap. If it doesn't come apart, wrap the cord around the center pipe, and be sure to add padding to all the fragile parts.
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Where should you place floor lamps?
Where you place your floor lamps will depend on where in the room you need extra light. Commonly, standing lamps go next to the couch, beside a bed, or tucked into a corner.
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How tall should floor lamps be?
Usually the height of floor lamps will fall somewhere between 58 to 64 inches. This may vary slightly depending on the type of lamp and whether or not it has an arm that faces toward the floor.
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How many floor lamps should you put in a room?
How many floor lamps you put in a room will depend on the room's size, but generally a space will not need more than one or two lamps if you have overhead lighting and some natural light. Two can look nice flanking either side of a large sofa, and one larger lamp brings a good focal point to the space.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Tim Minerd covers bedding, furniture, home decor, and lighting for MyDomaine and The Spruce. He enjoys organizing spices alphabetically, testing out towels, and taking long walks through IKEA. He is the proud father of 11 succulents.