Arc floor lamp

An arch floor lamp carries its light above the seat thanks to a curved arm, which leaves the floor free under the arch. Allow for a height of 180 to 250 cm depending on what the arch needs to overhang, an E27 socket on the vast majority of models, and an IP20 protection rating for a dry room.

What is an arch floor lamp and what light does it give?

An arch floor lamp, or arc lamp, is a floor lamp whose stem curves at the top to carry the shade far from the base. The light therefore falls above a sofa, a bed or a table, without cluttering the floor. Most of the models in this selection screw into an E27 socket.

Arc floor lamp or hoop floor lamp: what are we talking about?

Arc, hoop and arco all refer to the same family: a floor lamp whose arm curves to move the shade away from the base. The shapes found in this selection are the arc, the round, the tube and the ball. Metal clearly dominates, ahead of fabric, bamboo and linen.

A light that comes from far away, with no base in the middle of the walkway

The base stays near the wall, so the floor under the arch remains free: you can pull up an armchair, slide in a pouf, run the vacuum. The light comes from the side and grazes the wall, which draws a soft cast shadow. For a closer beam, compare with floor reading lamps.

Where to place an arch floor lamp: living room, bedroom, office or dining room?

The arc lamp is mostly placed in a living room, often near the sofa, then in a bedroom and in an office. Its height of 180 to 250 cm allows it to pass above an armchair or a table. In a damp room, only models rated IP54 are suitable.

Living room arch floor lamp: placing it behind the sofa

The move is simple: push the base back behind the seat, fifteen or twenty centimetres from the wall, then tilt the shade forward. The arch then lights over the shoulder, without dazzling whoever is watching television. A large 220 cm arch in one piece stands out in a living room. See living room floor lamps and the black arc with a long 170 cm reach, whose slim stem goes unnoticed.

Which arch floor lamp for a bedroom, an office or a toilet?

In a bedroom, an arch of 180 to 210 cm passes above a bed or a reading corner; a model designed for the bedroom stays compact. In an office, you look for a shade that can be aimed at the work surface, and floor lighting for the office is chosen above all for its adjustment range. For a toilet floor lamp, the room being damp, prefer an IP54 rating: the cordless model rated IP54 needs no floor socket.

How to choose the height and reach of an arc floor lamp?

The height is chosen according to what the arch must overhang: 180 cm for an armchair, up to 240 or 250 cm for a large room. The reach is the distance between the base and the shade: the greater it is, the further the light moves from the wall. Check the clearance under the arch and the position of the base.

XXL arc floor lamp: from what height?

We speak of an XXL arch beyond 220 cm, when the arch rises above the back of a large sofa and covers an entire coffee table. These models require floor space and a clear wall along their whole span. Find them among all the floor lamp families.

Adjustable height: what the 210-240 cm range changes

On an adjustable stem, the height is set again after assembly, once the sofa is in place: this is useful when you hesitate between 210 and 240 cm. The offset lamp with a generous reach uses exactly this range and a linen shade 45 cm in diameter.

Which material and colour to choose for an arc floor lamp?

Metal dominates, most often in black, but fabric, linen, rope, rattan or bamboo soften the light and set a warmer style. A linen shade diffuses the beam; a rope or rattan shade filters it and casts woven shadows.

Chrome, gold or black arc floor lamp: which finish?

Black dresses most of the structures in the selection: it is the finish that blends most into an interior. A gold finish brings a more dressed line and pairs with light wood; chrome or silver reflects more light. Browse black structures, gold finishes and metal arcs.

Linen, fabric or woven shade: the rendering on the wall

A linen or fabric shade diffuses an enveloping light, ideal near a sofa. A rope, rattan or bamboo shade lets threads of light through and projects a pattern on the wall. For a warmer base, look at linen shades and wooden bases and details.

Halogen or LED floor lamp: which bulb to put in an arc lamp?

Most models have an E27 socket, which takes screw-in bulbs from the shops, halogen included, within the stated wattage, often 40 W. A few models have an integrated LED, which cannot be replaced, and a model with several lights uses a small E14 socket.

Halogen floor lamp with dimmer: what is possible

The dimmer is only stated on some of the models. If you insist on brightness adjustment, check the mention on the product page, then choose a compatible bulb: an ordinary bulb cannot be dimmed. See floor lamps with adjustable brightness.

Warm white 2700 to 3500 K: the tint of the stated models

On the models that state it, the colour temperature is between 2700 and 3500 K, which corresponds to a warm white light, the kind you want in a living room in the evening. For a screw-in bulb, look for this range on the packaging. The LED selection gathers arcs with an integrated source.

Original living room floor lamp: how to move away from the classic model?

For an original living room, you look at the number of lights, the shape of the shade and the material of the base. An arch with several shades, in rope, cork or rattan, changes the drawing of the room. Models with ball shades or five lights stand out more.

Ball living room floor lamp: the round shade on an arch

The ball shade, spherical or almost, gives a sharp point of light at the end of the arch and reads as an object placed in mid-air. It is the most graphic silhouette for a ball living room floor lamp, especially when the sphere is woven. Look at models with a ball shade.

Original floor lamp: rope, cork, rattan, several lights

Three concrete leads in the selection: the rattan arch with three woven shades, the three adjustable cork shades and the five-light version on a small socket. These pieces work the material as much as the curve. See also the most elaborate pieces.

How to install and care for an arc floor lamp?

You assemble the base, load the base weight if it is designed for it, then adjust the orientation of the shade before screwing in the bulb. For care, a soft cloth is enough on metal; dust fabric, rope or rattan dry, without any product.

Floor lamp shade: aiming it without dazzling

Aim the opening towards the wall or towards the surface to be lit, never towards the eyes. For reading, the shade is placed at shoulder height and slightly in front of the seat: the light passes over the page without coming from the front. An adjustable shade can be reset in a few seconds. See the industrial spirit for arcs with a visible ball joint.

Stabilising a large arch without drilling into the wall

A wide, heavy base is enough to hold a large arch, provided it is placed on a flat floor. If the arch sways, move it a few centimetres rather than loading it. No model in this selection is fixed to the wall. For all the shapes placed on the floor, see all our light fittings.

Order, delivery and warranty: what is assured

Payment is secure, delivery is tracked and returns are possible, with Designix customer service for any question. The floor lamps in this selection are guaranteed for two years. The dimensions and sockets stated on each product page make it possible to confirm the choice before ordering.

Before confirming, compare three things: the height of the arch, the reach and the socket. This trio decides whether the light will fall in the right place. If budget guides the choice, start with entry-level models; for a living room with a current design, see a living room with a current design and the large cream 240 cm arch.

Frequently asked questions about the arch floor lamp