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shari13_gw

Why do you prefer floor to table lamps or vice versa?

10 years ago

I think I need to get new lamps so I can get smaller end tables - the lampshades are so wide thy look silly on narrow tables and I really don't have a ton of space. But should I go with floor or table lamps and why? This is for great room.

Comments (12)

  • 10 years ago

    Why do you want smaller end tables?

    There are candlestick table lamps which are tall and narrow. What type of lighting do you need/want - is it task lighting (reading, knitting) is it ambient lighting for general lighting, do you have tall ceilings or regular height.

    I was trying to light an area of our living room that had 10' ceilings and it was really hard to find a floor lamp that didn't seem dwarfed. We had table lamps as well but they are anchored in the room by the table and so don't relate to the ceiling as much.

    Lighting is something that really needs to be analyzed wrt to the room and your needs and then researched.

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    You should consider the way the lamps are used. If they are for reading, for ambient light, for sewing, etc. I prefer lights over my reading and work so would choose floor lamps. Table lamps are great for decoration imho.

  • 10 years ago

    Why do you want smaller end tables? -- Because I am want to rearrange a very small space and something has to give.

  • 10 years ago

    Then floor lamps are your answer to your problem.

  • 10 years ago

    Unless a table is needed for other things (drinks, books), I'd go with a floor lamp. I have a swing-arm type by a LR chair, and really like it. We use it much more than the table lamp on the other side of the room. We use the coffee table for drinks and such.

  • 10 years ago

    It depends....

  • 10 years ago

    I have both table and floor lamps. If I have a table on the side of a chair or sofa, I use a table lamp. I wish they made a style of floor lamp that could neatly go behind a table, so that the table could be kept clear. It would be like a sconce on a stick.

  • 10 years ago

    I only like table lamps if I can completely hide the cord, like on a sideboard or a chest up against the wall. For rooms w/ floating furniture or end tables where you would see the cord, I prefer floor lamps.

  • 10 years ago

    I have both. Between the sofa and DH's chair we have an end table with a lamp. In front of the double window there is a chair with ottoman. I didn't want to block the view from the window so the chair is angled into the corner and I put a small square table and skinny floor lamp for reading.

  • 10 years ago

    For those of you that like smaller tables, there are "chair side tables" which are narrower and fit in small spaces....I have two in my family room and have lamps on them....There is room for the lamp, a phone, a coaster (for coffee or drink), a vase with pencils in it and I sometimes lay my book that I am reading on it also. There are chair side tables that have lamps attached to them also, but was not interested in that.

    shari13 thanked erinsean
  • 10 years ago

    I've had this oil rubbed bronze one from Lowes, for a few years. I keep it in the corner between my sofa and my love seat, as each of those have a small table on the opposite ends, that can be used to set down a glass, t.v. remote or phone. Normally the lamp is just used for regular lighting, but I when I want to read, I sit on the end cushion of either the love seat or sofa that is near the lamp, and just extend the arm out in my direction, which gives me perfect reading light.

    http://www.lowes.com/pd_216520-56253-JS1-2783___?productId=50088286&pl=1&Ntt=swing+arm+floor+lamp#img

    shari13 thanked amicus