Floor lamps are great for spicing up specific areas of your home or office. They help provide a diverse skyline, add light to dark areas, and when positioned purposefully, they can do away with the need for overhead fixtures. Selecting the best type of lighting for your needs is the first step.

Incandescent lighting is inexpensive and widely available. It casts a warm, friendly light that flatters both the room and your complexion. These bulbs come in a large range of types and colors. They are however, the least energy-efficient, around 90% of energy is converted to heat, not light. Be sure to look at the wattage before making your selection. A 40 watt bulb will not give off enough light for reading but is great for accent lighting. Reading lamps provide the best light when harboring 100 or 150 watt 3 way bulbs.

Halogen lights emit a bright white light that is good for task lighting. They range from tubes to spots. The lower voltage generates less heat and generally they last much longer. Halogens, when overused, can result in a “retail" lighting ambience rather than “home lighting". The “bulb" can be obtrusive and may need hiding.

Next, you must decide on what kind of shade you would like on your floor lamp. Knowing the type of lighting you want is very important when considering the shade. Dark, heavy fabric, paper cone-shaped, and drum shades tend to let very little light come through but are essential when looking for accent lighting. A torchiere shoots the light upwards for vivid effects. When the need calls for task lighting, such as reading, shades that direct light downward should be selected.

The height of the lamp is also an important factor to consider. Will the lamp be positioned next to a sofa or chair? Will it be used for accent or task lighting? Many floor lamps are available with special features like step switches and come in a wide range of prices and styles.

After weighing your needs with the many options offered, you will be able to make an informed and wise decision about which type of floor lamp will most meet your needs and style.