In small spaces, it's important to make sure you get plenty of light. Floor lamps are a great option when space is at a premium, when space-saving hardwired fixtures are not an option. Lamps that jut, arc, or twist dramatically may look amazing, but could eat into valuable square footage. An articulating lamp seems great in theory, but if it needs ten feet of space to stretch, it's going to cause chaos in a little room.
Choose floor lamps with smaller profiles and pay attention to where and how the light shines. It's great to have an uplight, but you may need a reading light too - and don't forget the importance of a dimmer for your lamps. Let's look at a few rooms so you can get the idea before evaluating your lighting needs.
West Coast designer Emily Ruddo of Armonia Decors used pretty sky blue lamps to flank the gray velvet sofa for light and color. The silhouettes are simple, thereby not taking up too much space, but the distinct hues make a style statement. Photo by Meghan Beierle-O'Brien.
Boston-based designer Rachel Reider used the distinctive Sabine floor lamp by Arteriors Home behind one of the armchairs. The base is simple and slim, but the bulb, which echoes the organic shapes in the abstract artwork, is sophisticated and will throw off plenty of light for reading or entertaining. Photo by Michael Partenio.
This cozy armchair is surely a favorite spot for reading and enjoying coffee or tea. During the day, plenty of light streams in, but at night, a lamp is a must. This floor lamp bends in a few places, but doesn't have any protruding parts. Photo credit: Femina.
This is certainly not a small space, but in order to stick to a minimalist sensibility, the designer chose a pair of barely there floor lamps that are focused light sources. Photo by Karyn R. Millet.
Although arc-style floor lamps tend to be space-eaters, San Diego-based designer Anita Dawson tucked this one into a corner that would otherwise go unused. And the color is a fun contrast against the gray fireplace. Photo by Casey Dunn.
Here are 10 of my favorite floor lamps for small spaces:
1. George Kovacs Dorian Bronze Arc Floor Lamp 2. Robert Abbey Porter Polished Nickel Floor Lamp 3. Mimosa White Glass Floor Lamp 4. Bloomfield Satin Steel Floor Lamp 5. Draper 3-Light Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamp 6. Arteriors Home Sabine Floor Lamp 7. Gen 2 i-Tower Metallic Black Daylight LED Floor Lamp 8. Multi-Color Glass 5-Arm Floor Lamp 9. Rust Spun Metal Industrial Style Floor Lamp 10. Holtkoetter Tilt Base Old Bronze Floor Lamp