Metal floor lamps

Count on a metal floor lamp shade where light is lacking near a seat: the rigid shell directs the beam downward and upward, without softening it like fabric. This collection brings together the Nomi with its chrome spherical diffuser and the Bremen with its conical woven rope shade, two ways to light a living room or a dining room.

What is a metal floor lamp shade and what light does it give?

A metal floor lamp shade combines a stable base with a rigid shell that directs light downward and upward, without softening it like fabric. Here, chrome steel and woven rope frame an E14 or E27 bulb, indoors, for accent lighting.

Metal floor lamp shade: steel and woven rope

Chrome steel reflects light and makes the shell shine, which leaves reflections on the wall behind the lamp. Woven rope gives a warmer finish and breaks the cold side of metal. The Nomi combines metal and chrome steel, the Bremen pairs metal with rope. Each model is rated IP20, so for a dry room, and for a contemporary, nordic or modern style depending on the reference. The principle of the base stays the same: a stable stem on a round base, placed on the floor.

Metal floor lamp shade: ball or conical, what changes

The shape of the shell decides the pool of light. A spherical diffuser, like the one on the Nomi lamp with chrome spherical diffuser, spreads light all around: handy in a sofa corner, where you want a halo rather than a beam. A conical shade, like the Bremen conical shade in woven rope, projects it downward, and the light falls on the worktop or the table.

To place these shapes in a wider picture, browse all our lighting collections and the full range of pendant, table and floor lamp shades.

Where to place a metal floor lamp shade?

These models are made for indoor use: near a sofa in the living room, or at the end of a table in the dining room, away from walkways. The IP20 rating requires a dry room, sheltered from water splashes: not a bathroom, not a terrace, not near a pool.

Floor lamp shade for the living room

In a living room, the lamp goes in the corner formed by the sofa and the wall, or just behind the seat. The aim is not to light the whole room but to create a bright point near the reader. Check that the shell is not in your line of sight from the sofa: a low shell lights the page, a high shell lights the wall. Find lamps designed for the living room if you are looking for other shapes, or a more discreet floor lamp for the living room.

In the dining room and other rooms

The Bremen is intended for the dining room: placed at the end of the table, it extends the ceiling light and avoids switching on the whole room for a dinner for two. In a bedroom, a model with light directed downward works as a reading lamp without lighting the sleeper. For a softer finish, compare with softer bedroom lighting, and for a small room, with the baby's room night light.

Which socket to choose for a floor lamp, E14 or E27?

The E14 socket fits small-diameter shades, like the Nomi with its spherical diffuser; the E27 fits wider shapes, like the Bremen conical shade. The socket determines the bulbs available and the amount of light the shell lets through.

E14, the small socket for ball shades

You always start from the shape and the opening of the shade to work back to the socket, never the other way round. A compact, closed shell calls for an E14 bulb: the inner volume is small and a bulb that is too wide would touch the shell. This is the case with the Nomi, whose spherical diffuser measures 14 cm in diameter. E14 bulbs come in several shades of white, warm or more neutral.

E27 for large conical shades

An open, tall shade, like the 19 cm Bremen cone, takes an E27 socket, which opens the door to more wattages and formats. The bulb is chosen after the socket, depending on use: warm light for a relaxation corner, more neutral for reading. To change the shade colour or shape, see the white lamp shades and the modern style models.

Living room floor lamp: what height and footprint to plan for?

Height is chosen in relation to the seat and the table: the fixture must light without dazzling. The Nomi measures 50 cm high, with a base 20 cm in diameter and a 14 cm shade; the Bremen has a 19 cm conical shade.

Height of the shade and the base

A useful marker: the bottom of the shade usually sits at the shoulder level of a seated person, or a little above the tabletop for a dining room lamp. A low model, like the Nomi at 50 cm, suits a side table or a reading corner on the floor. Before buying, measure the height of your armrest and the free space above.

Round base or central stem: the floor footprint

A round base 20 cm in diameter needs a floor clear of any thick skirting board. Allow for the width on the floor, not just the silhouette seen from the front, and leave a few centimetres so you do not knock the lamp as you pass. For other formats and other bases, see how to customise your lamp shade to suit the room.

How to match a metal floor lamp shade with the rest of the living room?

Metal brings a clean line that works with light furniture as well as with wood. A light shade, white, cream or beige, lightens the silhouette, while a transparent or black model makes it more striking. The aim is to match the tones between the base and the other metals in the room.

Wooden floor lamp shade: how to mix materials

Metal and wood coexist well if one of the two dominates: a metal base on a light parquet floor, or a wooden piece under a chrome shell. The woven rope of the Bremen bridges the two worlds, since its natural tone echoes wood without its bulk. Metal and woven rope also pair well with a glass table.

When to prefer a fabric shade

Fabric softens the light and suits rooms where you want a muted atmosphere rather than a sharp beam; metal, on the other hand, directs the light. If your interior is already busy with materials, a simple metal shell stays clear. Look at the linen finishes and the fabric lamp shades to compare the effects, or the black versions for a sharper contrast.

How to install and care for a metal floor lamp shade?

Assembly is limited to fixing the base, placing the shade and screwing in the bulb that matches the socket. For care, a soft cloth is enough on steel, and woven rope is dusted dry, without abrasive products, so as not to mark the finish.

How to connect several lamps to a single power supply

You do not multiply devices on a single point without checking the available current. The safest option remains a power strip or extension lead designed for several light fixtures, plugged into a socket in good condition. If the circuit is old, if the breakers trip or if you are unsure about the wiring, call a professional: this is not a job to improvise. Each lamp is then connected to a standard socket.

Cleaning steel and woven rope without damaging them

Unplug the lamp before any work. On chrome steel, a slightly damp microfibre cloth then a dry cloth are enough; avoid abrasive sponges, which scratch the chrome plating. On woven rope, dry dusting or a soft brush attachment removes the dust lodged between the fibres. No solvent products, no immersion.

Is a halogen floor lamp still a good choice?

A halogen bulb heats up more and uses more power than an equivalent LED. In this collection, the Nomi is fitted with a 10 W LED, while the Bremen takes an E27 bulb: in both cases, the original socket remains the reference for choosing the bulb.

Halogen or LED bulb on an E27 socket

On an E27 socket, an LED replaces a halogen without changing the socket. Halogen heats up quickly, which matters in a closed shell or near fabric; LED heats less and uses less power for a comparable effect. The choice is mainly about the shade of white, warmer or cooler depending on the mood you want.

What the Nomi LED setup changes

The Nomi is listed with a 10 W LED: the bulb screws into an E14 socket and remains replaceable. You keep the same light over time, by choosing a separate E14 bulb. For the other light fixtures in the home, browse the Designix lighting range.

Which original floor lamp to choose and how will it arrive?

Originality shows in the shape and the material: a chrome spherical diffuser on one side, a conical woven rope shade on the other. Every order is covered by secure payment, tracked delivery, returns and Designix customer service, and the selection is guaranteed for two years.

Secure payment, tracked delivery and returns

Both models in the collection share a metal finish: the Nomi in steel and the Bremen in metal and rope. The sockets are E14 for the Nomi and E27 for the Bremen, with an IP20 protection rating. Designix customer service answers questions about the material, the socket or assembly.

Check material, socket and dimensions before ordering

Three points are enough: the material of the shell, the bulb socket and the dimensions of the base. Compare them with the space available at home: 50 cm high and a 20 cm base for the Nomi, a 19 cm conical shade for the Bremen. This check avoids an unnecessary return. Discover the Nomi lamp and the Bremen conical shade, then browse the full selection.

See the lamp shades in the collection

Frequently asked questions