Find anything you save across the site in your account
Find anything you save across the site in your account Unique Chandeliers
Lighting tends to be an afterthought in interior design. But the best floor lamps, intentionally placed in the right spaces around the house, can actually elevate the look of your decor. And that’s not just our personal opinion. (Although we do really love lamps.) There is actually expert-backed evidence that the way your home is lit can affect how you perceive it and ultimately feel about it. For example, a bad lighting scheme can produce harsh shadows, making a space feel smaller, whereas good lighting can highlight all the right places and help the eye travel throughout the room, making it seem more spacious.
All this is to say: Lighting should be at the forefront of your decorating plan! Not only does a standing lamp have the unique ability to emit light in the hardest of places (like the middle of the room), but its slim silhouette can also add tons of visual interest. From the direct light of reading lights and task floor lamps to the mood-setting power of ambient lighting, floor lamps can really help set the tone of your room. Plus, they barely take up any space and are easy to transport, so buying a good floor lamp is always a sound investment.
On our hunt for the best-looking lamps out there right now, we found plenty of options—including some stylish as well as a few that won’t put too much of a dent in your budget, promise. With a variety of design styles, functions, and bulb options, there should be something for just about every space.
All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
This minimalist floor lamp takes plenty of inspiration from mid-century modern designer Arne Jacobsen. It combines the modern convenience of LED bulbs with an angular, adjustable lampshade. The matte black metal and simple but striking design make it a perfect fit for a chic living room, modern home office, or streamlined bedroom.
Sometimes, you want options. This brass design can work as a task light, a reading lamp, or ambient light—it’s all up to you. It’s LED bulb and standard lightbulb compatible, so you can customize this modern floor lamp to your exact lighting preferences.
If your home decor could use a relaxed touch, consider this organic, handwoven rattan floor lamp. It’s got a sturdy, metal base and natural or antique brass finish, plus charming double pull chains. The wicker shade adds an especially interesting textural element and offers a calming cast of light that’s especially ideal for a reading nook.
This slim, modern lamp and its dimmable LED light make a major statement without taking up too much space. The bright white color temperature and antique bronze finish provide an industrial ambiance without feeling sterile.
Those who favor a more classic silhouette will appreciate this light’s sculptural base that gently tapers into a fabric lamp shade. The color means it’ll seamlessly blend into your living or dining room, but the shape keeps things interesting and different.
Don’t let the glass shade, metal base, and classic Scandinavian design fool you. This lamp is as modern as they come. You can control the color temperature through a dimming switch via remote control app if you get the connected lightbulb. You also don’t have to sacrifice function (this light provides direct or ambient light) or style for the convenience of a smart home.
There’s nothing wrong with hitting up the kids’ section of your favorite retailers for the right piece. This dual-head, green matte, adjustable lamp is perfect for math homework and taxes alike. It’s also compatible with both LED and incandescent lights.
Sometimes a simple design is the best way to go. This beautiful bronze vintage-inspired lamp is slim and simple, but the dimmer switch allows you to control the brightness of your space.
If your decor style leans more boho than midcentury, this rattan tripod floor lamp might be just the thing you need. Admittedly more of an ambient light than a direct light source, what this lamp lacks in lighting it more than makes up for in vibes.
A good torchiere floor lamp is hard to find. The modern design of this burnished brass beauty is leaps and bounds from the floor lamps of your college dorm. From its tulip shade to its foot switch, this lamp is understated and elegant.
This matte black stunner feels like a fresh and contemporary take on the arc floor lamp. The marble base and adjustable metal shade give the lamp some serious presence, while the delicate curve keeps things graceful. There’s an LED bulb included, so all you need to do is double-check your measurements (this is a big lamp) and prepare your coziest corner.
This vintage, midcentury-modern gold floor lamp features deep, dark wood tones and elegant gold that’s evened out by a fanned-out linen shade that casts a gentle glow throughout a room. It would look right at home in a reading nook or as a desk lamp in a library.
The great thing about this lamp is that you might not know it’s a lamp until you’ve turned it on. The rectangular shape mixed with the contrasting wood and aluminum frame gives it the appearance of a futuristic art installation you can nestle in a room corner, but it’ll still light up the room the minute you flip a switch.
Contemporary Foyer Lighting © 2024 Condé Nast. All rights reserved. Architectural Digest may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Ad Choices