Everything you need to know about dining room floor lamps
Key takeaways:
- A dining room floor lamp is a freestanding light fixture that lights the table or the room without drilling into the ceiling, and it is easy to move.
- The arc floor lamp, with its curved arm, carries the light over the table. The tripod is stable, and the shaded model gives a soft light for dinners.
- Choose a warm, diffuse light with a dimmer, to go from a family meal to a more intimate dinner.
A dining room floor lamp is a freestanding light fixture placed near the dining table, which lights the space without any need to drill into the ceiling. Find out how to choose the one that suits your dining room, for a warm and welcoming space.
Gold metal floor lamp, Scandinavian design or industrial style, the range is wide: see our gold floor lamps, our Scandinavian floor lamps and our industrial floor lamps.
It is especially useful in two cases: when the table is not under the ceiling cable outlet, and when you want to add ambient light next to the pendant light. In both cases, a simple outlet is enough.
The different types of dining room floor lamps
Dining room floor lamps vary in design and function. Arc floor lamps, with their curved arm, give central lighting above the table, just as a pendant light would.
Tripods are stable, with a contemporary style, and find their place in a corner of the room. Models with a shade diffuse a soft and pleasant light, ideal for dinners.
A steel design floor lamp brings a modern touch, while a wooden floor lamp creates a warm and natural atmosphere.
| Type of floor lamp | Strength | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Arc | Curved arm above the table | Central lighting |
| Tripod | Stable, contemporary | Corner of the room |
| With shade | Soft light | Dinner ambiance |
Discover our arc floor lamps and our tripod floor lamps.
The advantages of dining room floor lamps
Floor lamps add a decorative touch, with functional lighting. They create a convivial atmosphere, for meals with family or friends, by adding a lower and softer light than the ceiling light.
They are also easy to move and adjust: you bring them closer to the table for dinner, and push them back toward the sideboard the rest of the time. A black metal LED floor lamp with adjustable intensity shapes the mood to suit the occasion.
Another advantage is that they require no work. Where a pendant light must be connected by a qualified electrician, the floor lamp plugs into an outlet, which makes it a good solution for renters.
How to choose your dining room floor lamp?
The height of the floor lamp must suit the size of your table and the ceiling height. Its style and color must match the rest of your decor.
For an arc above the table, allow seventy to eighty centimeters between the tabletop and the bottom of the shade: the light illuminates the plates without dazzling the guests, and you can see each other from one end of the table to the other. Also check the reach of the arm, which must extend to the center of the tabletop.
The type of light matters too: a warm, diffuse light is ideal, like that of our warm light floor lamps. Models with a smoked glass shade suit an industrial design, while arc floor lamps add an elegant and modern touch.
According to the shape of the table
Above a round or square table, a single arc is enough: you center the shade over the tabletop, and the light is spread evenly among the guests. A wide shade, with a diameter close to a third of the table's, gives the best result.
Above a rectangular table, the arc mainly lights the center. For a long table, complete it with a second light point, placed on the sideboard or in a corner, so that the ends do not stay in the shadows.
With the other light fixtures in the room
The floor lamp rarely works alone. It complements a pendant light or a ceiling light, which provide the general lighting, and takes over when you want a softer ambiance, at the end of a meal or for an aperitif.
Keep the same color temperature for all the sources, to avoid a yellow light and a white light sitting side by side in the same room. Repeating a common material, such as black or brass, is then enough to give unity to the whole.
Floor lamps with special functions
Some floor lamps have extra functions. Integrated LEDs give a bright light, for low consumption. The dimmer adjusts the brightness to the occasion, from a lunch in full light to a more subdued dinner.
Articulated arms and adjustable shades direct the light where you need it. On a model with a bulb, check for the "dimmable" mention before pairing an LED with a dimmer. Discover our dimmable floor lamps and our LED floor lamps.
Installation and care of floor lamps
Installing a floor lamp in the dining room is simple. Place it where it does not block the walkway, on a very stable base, and preferably behind a chair that is rarely pulled back.
The base of an arc must be heavy enough to act as a counterweight: set it on a hard, level floor rather than on a thick rug. Run the cable along the wall, out of the path between the kitchen and the table.
For care, dust the shade and the metal parts regularly with a soft cloth, with the floor lamp switched off and unplugged. LED models require less maintenance.
Conclusion
With the right floor lamp, your dining room becomes a warm and welcoming place. Explore our selection, to light your meals and add a touch of elegance.
Classic or modern design, wooden or metal floor lamp, you will find what you need to create the right ambiance. Also discover our dining room wall sconces and, in a room open to the living area, our living room floor lamps.
Frequently asked questions about dining room floor lamps
How to choose a floor lamp for the living room, the bedroom or the kitchen?
Start from the use and the desired atmosphere. Prefer a model with integrated LEDs, efficient and economical. A black metal or smoked glass shade brings a modern, industrial touch.
The height and shape must suit the room. Adjustable brightness is a plus. In a kitchen, keep the floor lamp away from the sink and the cooktop.
Why choose a retro floor lamp with a switch?
For its vintage design, both functional and aesthetic, which brings charm to the room. Made of metal and glass, it is sturdy.
Its installation is simple, since it plugs into an outlet. Discover our vintage floor lamps.
Which styles of light fixtures to light the dining room table?
The industrial style, in black metal, with exposed LED bulbs, brings a contemporary touch. Natural wood and gold metal create a warm atmosphere.
A smoked glass or white fabric shade gives a soft light. Models with adjustable height, or swivel models, direct the light precisely.
Which light fixtures to create an ambiance above the table?
Pendant lights, ceiling lights and arc floor lamps. Pendant lights with several lights give an even and pleasant light.
A dimmer adjusts the brightness, for an intimate dinner as well as a lively reception. Discover our pendant lights and our dining room pendant lights, whose connection should be entrusted to a qualified electrician.
Which special functions for a dining room light fixture?
Integrated LEDs, the dimmer and the height adjustment. Models with an articulated arm or a swivel head offer great flexibility.
Finishes such as smoked glass or gold metal add a chic touch. A switch placed at the base avoids having to lean under the shade.
What is the difference between a light fixture with integrated LEDs and a model with a standard lamp holder?
The light fixture with integrated LEDs consumes less, lasts longer, and its brightness is often adjustable.
The model with a standard lamp holder leaves more freedom in the choice of the bulb, which should be an LED. It suits those who prefer a more traditional or vintage style. The type of source is shown on each product page.
Which materials for a dining room light fixture?
Metal, glass, wood and fabric. Metal, black, gold or silver, has a modern and industrial look. Glass, clear, smoked or colored, adds elegance.
Wood, common in Scandinavian designs, brings a natural warmth. A fabric shade gives a soft light, ideal for dinners, to be used with an LED bulb.
Which colors of light fixtures in a dining room?
Black, white, gold and natural wood. Black and white are classics, which match almost every style.
Gold adds a chic touch, and natural wood a warm atmosphere. In a room that is already colorful, a sober light fixture is better, one that lets the table take center stage.
Which control to choose for a dining room light fixture?
A dimmer, a toggle switch or a touch control. The dimmer adjusts the brightness to the occasion, while the touch control is simple and modern.
The control must be easy to reach, without having to lean behind a piece of furniture.
Can a floor lamp replace a pendant light above the table?
Yes, an arc floor lamp carries the light above the table, with no connection to the ceiling. It is the solution when the cable outlet is not in the right place.
Choose an arm long enough to reach the center of the tabletop, and a heavy base, which slips behind a chair or against the wall.
At what height should the shade be placed above the table?
At seventy to eighty centimeters from the tabletop. At this height, the light illuminates the plates without dazzling the guests.
If people walk under the arm of the arc, keep a clear passage of about one meter ninety under the top of the curve.
Which color temperature for a dining room?
A warm white, between 2700 and 3000 K. It shows off the dishes and creates a convivial atmosphere.
A dimmer lets you lower the intensity in the evening. With an LED bulb, check for the "dimmable" mention.