The right lighting can make your home feel like a warm and inviting place to be, while the wrong lighting can easily make you feel like you are living in a hospital room. Placement, style and even the type of bulb you choose are all key factors in finding the right lighting to transform your home into a relaxing oasis. It’s also important to make sure you have matching floor lamps that blend in seamlessly with your room’s style. Here are some expert tips to help you master the art of lighting and floor lamp style.
Placement
The proper placement of light fixtures is important for creating a functional space for your needs. For example, floor lamps tucked into dark corners or along each side of your sofa can completely change the feel of a room. If you have a fireplace as the focal point of the room, consider getting matching floor lamps for each side.
Style
Your floor lamps should complement your existing décor. If your furniture is very traditional and you choose contemporary floor lamps, your living room may feel off-kilter or appear imbalanced. We recommend staying within your chosen color scheme, but if you find a lamp you love, remember that the floor lamp shade can usually be changed to work with your existing palette. Arc floor lamps are a classic look that have been redesigned for just about every taste and style.
Size
Scale is also important when it comes to matching floor lamps in your living room. An oversized floor lamp next to a tiny table or love seat can make a living room or den appear uneven. Try pairing large floor lamps with sizable sectionals and save the small lamps for side tables or accent chairs.
Type of Bulb
The type of light bulb you select will also have an effect on a room’s lighting. There are many choices when it comes to light bulbs for lamps, and each has their own pros and cons.
- Incandescent: This standard bulb gives a warm, flattering light. It’s dimmable and inexpensive, but not terribly energy efficient
- CFL: Short for compact fluorescent light, these bulbs are extremely energy efficient. They produce a very bright light, are not dimmable and are higher in cost than incandescents, but generally pay for themselves within one year.
- LED: These bulbs are even more energy efficient than CFLs and last up to five times longer. Some are dimmable, however, the light doesn’t spread as well as with incandescent bulbs.
The long-term cost and energy savings of CFLs and LEDs are undeniable and they’ve come a long way. Choosing an LED bulb labeled “soft or warm white” and “dimmable” will give you the same light quality as a traditional incandescent bulb and you won’t have to change it for decades.! For a brighter, more energizing space, CFLs are best.
With these expert tips, you’ll be able to find the perfect lighting to suit your home and your style. Stop by any of our store locations in Illinois, Wisconsin or Indiana for more lighting inspiration or visit us online at www.theroomplace.com to shop our complete lighting collection from the comfort of your home.