An antique floor lamp is a conversational piece, in its own right. Having one at home is sure to entice your houseguests into an animated discussion about its intricate design, history, and romantic elegance. Its brass finish, stained-glass lampshades, and intricate designs are enough to lure anyone into delightful conversation.

One of the major challenges that lay ahead when buying a floor lamp is deciding what type of floor lamp is suited to your needs - whether to get one that is modern, or an antique floor lamp

Having an antique floor lamp as opposed to more modern ones has its corresponding advantages and disadvantages.

First of all, there is always a touch of class and elegance brought upon by an antique piece, in this case an antique floor lamp. Its mystery and unknown past is always very appealing, and could serve as an enchanting conversation topic when friends, family, and guests visit.

But then again, genuine antique floor lamps are very expensive. This is because they are very rare. In fact, French antique lamps are being sold up to a thousand dollars or more in some auctions. To make it more available to the budget-conscious public, manufacturers seek to mimic the antique look by applying different features found in original lamps like gilded bases, ornate cloths, and stained-glass lampshades. Others even imitate the hue or color of the finish.

Moreover, an antique floor lamp is used only for aesthetics and decoration. It does not serve as an adequate lighting supply. Rather than focusing on performance and function, it focuses on visuals and beauty. However, you can always improve the function and safety of the lamp. You can do this by replacing the electrical wirings with more contemporary and modern parts. You can also choose to convert an old floor lamp into halogen or compressed fluorescent floor lamp so you can enjoy both worlds - ageless, timeless design and benefits of modern lighting.

Replacing the wirings is not enough. You should also make sure that the base of the lamp is sturdy and stable. Today, bases of floor lamps are supposed to be heavier in order to pass the UL standards. However, antique floor lamps do not follow this standard, and thus they usually have higher chances of being tipped over. This can lead to fire accidents. That is why it is very important to look for an antique floor lamp with a sturdy base.

Overall, having an antique floor lamp has its own advantages, in the sense that it provides a touch of romance, class, and sophistication to any home. However, aside from it being very expensive, it does not provide adequate lighting and is primarily used for aesthetic purposes only, instead of functionality. So, in buying a floor lamp, ask yourself what you need it for. If you're not much concerned with lighting, and are more inclined towards having one for ornamental reasons, then you should go for an antique floor lamp. Just make sure you reinforce it with modern wiring so that it is safe to use.