Lights are the forgotten kids in the interior design world. Wherever possible, homeowners will substantially cut down on the light fixture budget in favor of spending more on a throw rug or something. There is nothing wrong with thinking like this—it's just due to years of heavy advertising costs by home furnishing companies. The light fixture folks, it seems, prefer to spend their advertising budgets on other things. It is still quite true that a floor lamp or ceiling fixture can really be the finishing touch that ties the room together.

Since they need to be both practical and ornamental, light fixtures like the floor lamp have it tough. Any coffee table will basically support light items laid upon it while its aesthetics will always be in the eyes of the beholder. A floor lamp needs to also be pleasing for the owner to look at while being practical and providing enough light for tasks. Plus, a floor lamp cannot produce glare or it becomes an impediment to work and may cause eye strain or even headaches.

Finding the right shade is the key to a floor lamp that is both practical and beautiful. The floor lamp needs a translucent shade of light color so that it mutes the light coming off the bulb while still providing enough illumination to perform tasks.

Coordinate the Floor Lamp Shade with Other Lighting Fixtures

Coordinating a unique shade between the floor lamp and other lighting components such as table lamps is a simple idea that can add a lot of sophistication to the home. It is even possible to coordinate a floor lamp shade with smaller-sized versions of the same shade on a chandelier or similar hanging fixture. Matching wall sconce shades add that subtle yet defining touch that completes any look.

Coordinate the Lamp Bases as Well

In addition to matching the shades, it is also a good idea to coordinate the lamp bases. Try to find other lighting fixtures with the same type of base if you have an antique brass base on your floor lamp. Even if you have a Tiffany-style lampshade with a nickel base, the fixture will appear out of place and poorly matched if the other light pieces have copper bases. Excellence is in the details, so be sure to coordinate the base and shade of your floor lamp as closely as possible with the other fixtures for the best results.

Lighting fixtures like the floor lamp have it difficult because they should be both functional and decorative. Coordinating a unique shade between the floor lamp and other lighting components such as table lamps is a simple idea that can add a lot of sophistication to the home. It is even possible to coordinate a floor lamp shade with smaller variations of the same shade on a chandelier or similar hanging fixture. Excellence is in the details, so be sure to coordinate the base and shade of your floor lamp as closely as possible with the other components for the best results.

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