When shopping for a bright floor lamp, look for one that accepts LED bulbs. These are energy efficient, produce a brighter light than traditional incandescent bulbs, and last longer than standard filament models. A few bonus features can also make a difference when selecting a floor lamp, such as smart home capability (for use with voice-controlled devices like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant), built-in shelves, and dimming functionality.
A torchiere floor lamp is a great choice for a dark room, as its design casts light both upward and outward, illuminating the space from all directions. A bright torchiere can also be a nice accent piece in a living area, with a variety of shapes and colors available to match the décor of the space.
Shelf lamps are another good option for a dark room, as they provide focused task lighting while remaining out of the way and blending into the space. The Brightech Maxwell is a great example, offering plenty of power options to keep devices charged, including 2 USB ports on the top shelf and an ungrounded outlet adorning the head of the lamp. Another versatile shelf lamp is the Simple Designs Etagere, which provides a similar number of plug-ins but lacks the extra ungrounded outlet.
For a more decorative style, consider a floor lamp with an arc shape. The Brightech Trilage Arc is a good option, with a three-headed design that looks elegant in most spaces and blends well with the rest of the decor. This model isn’t as bright as some of the other floor lamps we reviewed, but a 60-watt bulb still provides adequate illumination for reading and other tasks.
Many of the brightest floor lamps also feature a glass diffuser that helps to reduce glare and scatter light. This can be helpful for a space with large windows, helping to prevent glare and create an overall soft, pleasant glow. A frosted shade is the best for reducing glare, but some shades are made of colored glass that can add different moods to the space. A blue or green color can help bring out cool tones in a space, while warm orange or gold shades will give a cozy feel.
A brightest floor lamp should have a sturdy base that can support the weight of the lamp and stand up to frequent use. If you have a small or medium-sized room, avoid any models with a base that’s too wide, as this can take up precious floor space. For a larger space, you’ll want to look for a base that’s smaller than the height of the lamp, so it doesn’t stick out from the wall. A lightweight yet sturdy metal base is ideal for this.