Everything you need to know about hanging floor lamps
Key takeaways:
- A hanging floor lamp is a freestanding light fixture whose shade hangs from the end of an arm or an arc, like a pendant light, but without a ceiling mount.
- It carries the light over an armchair, a sofa or a table, frees up floor space and can be moved whenever you like.
- Black metal suits an industrial style, amber or smoked glass suits Art Deco, and a dimmable LED adjusts the intensity to the moment.
A hanging floor lamp is a freestanding light fixture whose shade hangs from the end of an arm or an arc, in the manner of a pendant light, but without any ceiling mount. Discover our complete guide to these modern, elegant light fixtures, which light and decorate an interior in one go.
In it you will find tips for choosing the hanging floor lamp that fits your style and your needs, from the shape of the arm to the material of the shade, not forgetting the height at which to place the light so that it is truly comfortable.
Its main appeal comes down to one sentence: it brings light where a ceiling light cannot, above a sofa, an armchair or a table, and all it takes to install it is an outlet. It is an ideal solution for renters, as well as for anyone who wants neither to drill nor to run a cable.
The different types of hanging floor lamps
There are models with fabric or leather shades, and industrial floor lamps in metal. Models in white glass spread the light in all directions, for a warm atmosphere, whereas a metal dome pushes it downward, in a sharp, precise cone.
The shape of the stand matters just as much. The large arc, whose sweeping curve carries the shade far from the base, suits a spot above a sofa or a table. The straighter boom fits into a narrow corner, and the model with an articulated arm comes close to a reading light, which you can aim as you wish.
Choose according to the mood you want and the space available. For a modern touch, a black-design hanging floor lamp suits contemporary interiors very well. Discover our arc floor lamps and our black floor lamps.
The advantages of hanging floor lamps
Hanging floor lamps have many assets: space saving, even lighting and a modern look. Because the shade is offset, the stand slips behind a sofa or along a wall, and the floor stays clear where people walk.
Models with integrated LEDs use little energy, and those that take a screw-in bulb work very well with an LED bulb, which lets you choose the color of the light yourself. Discover our LED floor lamps.
They suit most rooms of the home. In a living room, they add an effective, stylish light source, with the effect of a pendant light, without fixing anything to the ceiling. And the day you move the furniture, the light follows, which no ceiling light allows.
How do you choose a hanging floor lamp?
Look at the height, the material, the color and the style, to match your light fixture to your decor. Also measure the reach of the arm, that is, the distance between the stand and the center of the shade: it should reach the middle of the seat or the table you want to light.
The height of the shade is the second point to check. Above a sofa, leave room for the head of a person standing up, which puts the bottom of the shade at about one meter seventy from the floor. Above a table, seventy to eighty centimeters between the tabletop and the shade is enough.
Finally, prefer a model with adjustable intensity, for good reading comfort. With an LED bulb marked "dimmable", you adjust the light as you need. Discover our dimmable floor lamps.
Fitting a hanging floor lamp into different rooms
The hanging floor lamp has its place in the living room, the bedroom, the open kitchen, and even in a workspace. In the living area, it goes behind the sofa or in the nook of a sectional, with the shade above the coffee table. Discover our living room floor lamps.
It also serves as a reading light, above an armchair or in a reading nook. A black-design model, or one in amber glass, brings a refined touch. In a dining room with no ceiling light point, a large arc replaces the pendant light above the table: see our dining room floor lamps.
Two places, however, are off limits. An indoor floor lamp must not be installed in a bathroom, where the NF C 15-100 standard requires light fixtures suited to the safety zones, nor outdoors, where only a model designed for this use, with its IP rating, can be used.
Current trends in hanging floor lamps
Trends range from minimalist models to Art Deco designs, by way of industrial and retro styles. Thin lines and small shades are very much in evidence, carried by slender arcs that draw a curve across the room.
A matte black hanging floor lamp adds an elegant touch, and goes with almost any furniture. Black Art Deco models with smoked glass are particularly popular, for their subdued light and their reflections. Discover our Art Deco floor lamps.
The industrial style, for its part, relies on raw metal, wide domes and exposed joints. It fits in a loft as well as in a more classic apartment, to which it gives character. Discover our industrial floor lamps.
Comparing materials and finishes
Hanging floor lamps come in metal, glass, leather and fabric. Each material changes the light and the style, and affects the weight of the shade, and therefore the stability of the whole.
| Material | Light | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Black metal | Directed downward | Industrial, modern |
| White glass | Diffused and soft | Contemporary |
| Amber or smoked glass | Warm and subdued | Art Deco, retro |
| Fabric or leather | Filtered | Warm |
For a chic touch, consider a black design with amber glass finishes, whose tint warms the light. Discover our glass floor lamps.
A fabric shade filters the light and softens it, but it must only be used with an LED bulb, which gives off very little heat. Metal, easier to dust, remains the easiest choice to live with: see our metal floor lamps.
Installation and care tips
Place the floor lamp on a stable, level floor, and check that its base balances the arm well. The longer the arc, the heavier the base must be: it acts as the counterweight. Avoid placing the stand on a thick rug, which makes it lean.
Assembly follows the instructions: you fit the sections of the arm together, attach the shade, then plug the floor lamp into an outlet. Run the cable along the wall or behind the sofa, out of the way.
Use LED bulbs, for reduced consumption, and adjust the height and the intensity carefully, for good visual comfort. A soft, dry cloth is enough for care, with the floor lamp unplugged. A true pendant light, fixed to the ceiling, must be connected by a qualified electrician.
Conclusion
A hanging floor lamp transforms the lighting and the look of your interior, without any work: you set it down, plug it in, move it. Explore our selection, to find the model that suits your home.
In a black design, for the living room, it gives an elegant and modern decor. If you have a ceiling cable outlet, also discover our pendant lights.
Frequently asked questions about hanging light fixtures
Which hanging light fixtures suit your interior?
It depends on your decor and the needs of each room. In a modern living room, a black metal hanging floor lamp, with a dimmable LED bulb, creates a warm atmosphere.
In a kitchen, industrial light fixtures in black iron bring a retro touch. In a bedroom, amber glass gives a soft, restful light. The idea is to vary the shapes from one room to another, while keeping a common material or color.
How do you fit a hanging floor lamp into a bedroom decor?
Place it near the bedside table, or in a reading nook, so that the shade sits above your shoulder.
Choose a design in smoked glass or black metal, for a contemporary touch. A height-adjustable model adapts the light to your needs, and a warm white LED bulb creates a soft mood. Discover our bedroom floor lamps.
What are the advantages of hanging industrial light fixtures in the kitchen?
They give a retro, sturdy look. Their black metal or iron design adds character to the room.
With a dimmable LED, the intensity can be adjusted, for cooking or for a convivial moment. Their wide spread of light lights the countertop or the counter well.
A floor lamp is placed away from the sink and the cooktop, whereas a pendant light fixed to the ceiling is connected by a qualified electrician.
Why choose an Art Deco hanging light fixture for your living room?
To add a touch of elegance. Art Deco designs, often in glass and metal, create a chic, retro atmosphere.
These are statement pieces, which catch the eye and give structure to the living area. Their soft, diffused light is ideal for cozy evenings or reading.
What models exist in black and in iron?
They vary widely in style and size: industrial hanging floor lamps, for a loft decor, or more minimalist, clean designs.
Black iron, with filament LED bulbs, has a vintage look. Black metal and smoked glass are more contemporary.
Height-adjustable models, or those with an adjustable arm, direct the light where it is needed.
How do you plan the lighting of your home with hanging floor lamps?
Choose the right piece for each area. Black metal in the living room, for a modern look, and amber glass in the dining room, for a warm atmosphere.
Each light fixture must light its area well enough. Also think about the height and the orientation, for comfortable pools of light, and complete with general lighting on the ceiling.
What types of light fixtures exist for the home?
Pendant lights, floor lamps, wall sconces, ceiling lights and recessed spotlights.
Each meets a need. Hanging floor lamps suit living rooms and dining rooms, while sconces decorate hallways and bedrooms.
Ceiling lights provide the general lighting for kitchens and bathrooms. Discover our wall sconces.
How do you choose a hanging floor lamp suited to your living space?
Look at the style, the size and the function. Choose a design that matches your decor: Art Deco for a retro look, industrial for a modern touch.
Measure the ceiling height, so that the floor lamp fits in without crowding the room. A dimmable LED adjusts the intensity, and a diffused light remains the most comfortable in a living area.
What criteria matter when buying a designer hanging floor lamp?
Style and color, to match your decor. Size and height, for the room. The light source, preferably LED.
Also check the quality of the materials, such as black metal or amber glass, the weight of the base and the presence of a dimmer.
At what height should you place the shade of a hanging floor lamp?
At about one meter seventy from the floor above a sofa, so that you can stand up without bumping into it. Above a table, seventy to eighty centimeters between the tabletop and the shade is enough.
For reading, lower the shade to just above shoulder height, slightly behind you, to light the page without causing glare.
Is a hanging floor lamp stable?
Yes, provided its base is heavy enough to balance the arm. Models with a large arc rest on a weighted base, in marble or metal, which acts as the counterweight.
Place it on a hard, level floor, rather than on a thick rug, and keep the cable out of the way. In a home with young children, place the stand behind a piece of furniture.
Do you need an electrician to install a hanging floor lamp?
No, a hanging floor lamp simply plugs into an outlet, with no ceiling connection. That is what sets it apart from a pendant light.
On the other hand, installing a pendant light, a wall sconce or a ceiling light is always left to a qualified electrician, as is creating a new outlet.