Giraffe floor lamp

Start by measuring the height: the head of a giraffe lamp should rise above the back of the sofa and the top of a coffee table, not above eye level. A long neck, a high-perched shade and a heavy base are enough to light a corner of a room without cluttering the floor.

What is a giraffe lamp and what light does it give?

A giraffe lamp is a floor lamp whose silhouette echoes a long neck and a small head topped with a shade. The light therefore comes from high up, often above eye level: it lights the room without dazzling and leaves the floor free. Its appeal is as much decorative as practical.

The light comes from above, not from eye level

A high head casts a grazing light on the wall or a downward light on an armchair, and the shadow is softer than with a table lamp. To compare the effects, browse the Designix lighting universe.

Sculptural giraffe or adjustable neck

Two families coexist: the one-piece giraffe, where the neck is part of the base and fixes the direction of the light, and the giraffe with an adjustable neck, which can be redirected towards a wall or a book. The rest comes down to the base and the cable. See all the floor lamp families before deciding.

Which giraffe lamp should you choose for an original living room?

In a living room, a giraffe lamp goes near a corner or beside the sofa, never in the middle of the walkway. Its high head lights the wall or the reading corner and replaces a table lamp that sits too low. Choose the finish according to the dominant wall colour.

Original living room lamp: where should it go?

An original living room lamp works as an off-centre focal point: in the corner behind the sofa, against a light wall to bounce the light, or near a bookcase to light the spines. It does not take up the space of a table. The most sculptural pieces are gathered in the most sculptural pieces.

White or black giraffe lamp: which finish for the living room?

On a dark wall, a white lamp fades away and only the light remains visible. On a light wall, a black version draws the silhouette and structures the corner. Gold, meanwhile, catches the evening light. To balance the whole, compare what it takes to equip a living room and the lines of resolutely contemporary lines.

Which giraffe lamp for a bedroom or a child's room?

In a bedroom, a giraffe lamp serves as additional lighting rather than main lighting: the high head avoids dazzling when you are lying down. For a child's room, favour a heavy base, a stable foot and a cable fixed to the wall to avoid snags.

Bedroom lamp: which head height should you favour?

The head should pass above the top of the headboard and stay out of the field of vision of someone sitting in bed. A slim neck and a discreet shade fit better in a small bedroom than a wide piece. Find a lamp for the bedroom and, for the adult bedroom, the most understated models.

Children's giraffe lamp: what to check before buying

Look at the base before the style: wide and heavy, it will not tip over when leaned on. The cable is fixed along the wall and the switch stays accessible without pulling on the wire. Avoid small decorative parts at hand height and keep the bulb out of reach.

Floor lamp, globe lamp or giraffe lamp: how do you decide?

A classic floor lamp spreads light at mid-height, while a giraffe lamp carries it higher, above the furniture. A globe, meanwhile, sets a low, diffuse luminous volume. The choice depends on what you want to light: a reading surface, a wall or the overall atmosphere.

What a classic floor lamp changes

With a shade at mid-height, the light falls near the sofa and armchair: handy for reading, less so for lighting a wall. An arc lamp takes the logic further by reaching over the coffee table, with no foot in the middle of the walkway. Browse the floor-standing models to compare heights.

When the globe silhouette wins

The globe takes up little height and diffuses in all directions: it suits rooms with low ceilings and corners where you sit. The giraffe, on the other hand, frees the floor but requires a clear path around the foot. To decide, go back to a globe shape.

LED or halogen: which bulb should you plan for a giraffe lamp?

A giraffe lamp is chosen first by the socket and maximum wattage stated in its product sheet. A halogen bulb gets very hot and uses a lot of energy for the light it gives; an LED runs cool and needs changing less often. Always respect the maximum wattage engraved on the luminaire.

Halogen lamp: what to check before reusing a bulb

The socket must match and the wattage must stay below the luminaire's maximum. A halogen gives off a lot of heat: avoid closed shades and sensitive materials. A warm effect suits the living room, less so a work corner.

LED lamp: the simplest everyday option

LEDs run cool, last longer and are chosen by colour temperature: around 2700 to 3000 K for warm light, towards 4000 K for a more neutral light. For fine adjustment in the evening, LED floor lamps and a dimmable model make the difference.

Which material and colour: driftwood, metal, white or gold?

Driftwood and wood finishes give a warm light and an irregular look, never two pieces quite identical. Black metal underlines the silhouette and blends into a graphic interior; white lightens it, gold makes it shine. The material also changes the weight and stability of the foot.

A high neck on a light foot soon leans: the weight of the base matters more than the diameter of the shade. For a warm effect, look at the wooden versions. If you prefer a clean line, the metal structures hold up better in comparison. A black model pairs with graphic interiors. The gold finishes warm up a living room in the evening.

Can a giraffe lamp be installed in a small room or a toilet?

Yes, provided you measure the footprint of the base on the floor and keep the walkway clear. In a hallway, a corridor or a toilet, a giraffe lamp brings high light where lighting is lacking, but you need a narrow base and a cable that does not obstruct the door.

A toilet lamp is judged on two points before its style: stability on tiled floors and the path of the cable to the socket. In a corridor, prefer a flat base that slides under an open door. A compact desk lamp does the same job in a work corner. If no socket falls in the right place, a cordless model helps out, provided you accept recharging. The most affordable models are often enough for these secondary rooms.

How do you install, assemble and maintain a giraffe lamp?

Assembly consists of putting together the base, the stem and the head, then tightening so that the whole does not lean. Check stability before plugging in, keep the cable slack and dust the shade dry. Always change the bulb with the power off.

Assembling the stem and adjusting stability

Place the base on a flat floor, screw the stem without forcing, then the head last: firm tightening on a straight floor prevents wobbling. Test by pressing lightly on the top before plugging in. A contemporary floor lamp with a slim neck needs the same care as a heavier model.

Maintaining the shade and changing the bulb

Dust dry, without water on the electrical parts. Switch off the power before changing the bulb and let a halogen cool down. Take the opportunity to check the tightness of the stem and the condition of the cable near the switch.

Ordering from Designix

Secure payment, tracked delivery, returns and Designix customer service: you choose the silhouette, we follow the order through to installation. The current price of each model is displayed directly in the collection grid, with no surprises at checkout.

Once the head height and socket are confirmed, all that is left is to select the model from the floor lamp catalogue: the product sheet lists the socket, maximum wattage and finish of each piece.

Frequently asked questions about the giraffe lamp