Visual Comfort Floor Lamps

Behind the sofa, in a corner beside a reading chair, or next to a console table. Avoid floor lamps in the middle of an open floor area, they look stranded. Tripod and column lamps work in corners. Arc lamps work behind sofas to extend over the seating without needing a side table. Allow at least 30 cm clearance from walls.

For a floor lamp behind the sofa, the bottom of the shade should be at the sitter's eye level or just above, roughly 145-160 cm from the floor. The light source then directs down into the lap or book without glaring at the eye. Arc lamps with adjustable arms let you fine-tune after install.

Visual Comfort arc lamps use weighted marble or stone bases (10-15 kg) to counterbalance the arm, very stable in normal use. They are not recommended in homes with small children or large pets who might pull on the arm. For maximum stability, choose tripod or column floor lamps which have wider footprints.