Floor Lamps (100-150cm) Lamps

Floor lamp heights and the rooms they work best in

Is your reading corner always the darkest spot in the room no matter where you angle the sofa? A floor lamp between 100cm and 150cm tall suits a living room, reading corner or bedroom, where a pool of directed light at seated eye level matters more than broad overhead illumination. At this height, the shade or bulb sits roughly level with a seated person’s line of sight, which helps avoid the glare a taller or shorter lamp can cause.

For good reading light without the bulb sitting in direct view, place the lamp 30 to 60cm to the side and slightly behind a sofa or armchair. Position it too far away, beyond about 90cm, and the light becomes noticeably less useful up close. If that corner’s never been properly lit, start here.

For table lamps, coordinate with our wood side tables to give the lamp a surface for a book or drink within reach, or add wall sconces elsewhere in the room for ambient light that doesn’t compete with the reading corner.

Rattan and black floor lamps for different interior styles

A rattan floor lamp casts a warm, dappled light through its woven shade, adding texture to a room that otherwise relies on smooth or hard surfaces. It works particularly well alongside linen sofas, jute rugs or timber floors, where natural materials are already part of the palette.

If you’re choosing a bulb, stick with LED as natural rattan shades are safe with LED bulbs, which generate very little heat. A high-wattage incandescent or halogen bulb isn’t recommended in a rattan shade, as the heat can dry out the fibres over time.

A black floor lamp with a slender profile takes the opposite approach, reading as a strong visual anchor in a minimalist or industrial room without taking up much visual space. If your space leans on concrete, white walls and warm timber flooring, a matte black finish pairs particularly well with the open-plan layouts common in newer Australian homes.

Layer with our wider lamps range if you want a second light source for balance, or add a side table alongside for somewhere to rest a book or remote.

Bulbs, cords and what a floor lamp can and can’t replace

Most floor lamps in this height range use either E27 screw-cap or B22 bayonet fittings, and the majority are compatible with standard LED bulbs to cut energy use. Whatever the fitting, it’s worth checking the maximum wattage listed before installing a replacement bulb.

Cords typically run 150 to 200cm, so if the nearest power point sits further away, a short extension lead is the better option over a long, tangled cord running across the floor. A single lamp in this range generally produces enough light for reading and ambient use in a bedroom, but it won’t fully replace overhead lighting for tasks like getting dressed. Those tasks need even, shadow-free light from above, rather than a single directed source.

If you’re setting up the whole reading nook, browse our sofas for more choices.

Frequently asked questions

What bulb type do most floor lamps in this height range use?

The majority of floor lamps in the 100cm to 150cm range use either E27 screw-cap or B22 bayonet bulbs, with most being compatible with standard LED bulbs to reduce energy use. Always check the maximum wattage listed in the product specifications before installing a replacement bulb.

How far from a sofa or armchair should I place a floor lamp?

A floor lamp placed 30cm to 60cm to the side and slightly behind a sofa or armchair gives good reading light while keeping the bulb out of your direct line of sight. Positioning it too far away, beyond about 90cm, typically reduces the usefulness of the light for close-up reading.

Are rattan floor lamp shades safe to use with standard bulbs?

Natural rattan shades are safe to use with LED bulbs, which generate very little heat compared to incandescent alternatives. It’s not recommended to use high-wattage incandescent or halogen bulbs in rattan shades, as the heat can dry out the natural fibres over time.

What is the cord length on a standard floor lamp?

Most floor lamps come with a power cord between 150cm and 200cm long. If your nearest power point is further away, consider using a short extension lead.

Can a floor lamp replace overhead lighting in a bedroom?

A single floor lamp between 100cm and 150cm tall generally produces enough light for reading and ambient use in a bedroom, but it will not fully replace overhead lighting for tasks like getting dressed or applying makeup, where you need even, shadow-free illumination from above.