We'll Take It: The Overhead Light Everyone Will Love

Here's a contemporary yet elegant lighting solution that will give your space style as well as incredible practicality. The cantilevered floor lamp is a lamp with an arc-shaped arm, a mechnical jointed arm or a cantilevered straight arm that allows one to create directional downlight without the constraints of a ceiling-hung fixture. No electrician, no unsightly wires and no chandelier that gets in the way when you need to rearrange the furniture to entertain a crowd, or just because. Hello, style; goodbye, inflexibility.

We'll start out with the father of all modern cantilevered floor lamps, the Flos Arco Floor Lamp, which was designed by the Castiglioni brothers and introduced in 1962. It is included in the permanent design collection at MoMA in New York and, while ubiquitous in some cases, it looks as good today as it did when it was first introduced.

Speaking of design, the Arco lamp strictly adheres to the traditional modern credo of "form follows function" — there's even a hole in its Carrara marble base, enabling it to be moved by two people with a broomstick. Additionally, the Arco light features an adjustable arc and a swiveling shade for precise light control, important features to look for in any cantilvered floor lamp.


With many design icons, almost immediately or years down the road, spin-offs happen. The Arco led to the Nova Arc Floor Lamp. Its drum shade bridges the gap between ultrasleek and traditional, making it well suited to just about any style, and by virtue of its shorter arm, less of a bold statement than the Arco lamp.


Another interesting version of the arc-shaped floor lamp has a shade that is adjustable in height during installation, a useful design detail. The wood veneer shade nicely balances the other subtle wooden details in the room and is a refreshing eye stopper in a sea of white. This floor lamp reminds me of a fishing pole, an interesting contextual reference for a seaside (Long Island, New York) residence.


Bare-bones simplicity makes this unassuming and simple version of the original a good choice for a casual or ultramodern setting. The pleated shade softens up the look. With a lamp like this, you could certainly customize by covering the shade in the fabric of your choice. Think Scandinavian and cover it with a swatch of Marimekko fabric, or bridge the gap between modern and antique by covering it in a rich jewel-toned brocade.


Looking for good design without that '60s flair? The Tolomeo Mega Floor Lamp is the big brother to the iconic Tolomeo Table Lamp, designed in 1986 and recognized for its sleek mechanics and steel tension cables that are a part of a constant-tension structure.

This oversize version might be a little tongue-in-cheek to those who recognize its distinct form, though given the merit of its fine Italian design, it's the kind of lamp you could enjoy for many years to come.


This straight-armed cantilivered floor lamp has a nice reach and works well in eclectic or modern interiors. The playful design has a stick-figure-like presence, and with its superskinny silhouette, it really doesn't impose much.

Depending on the size of your room as well as the furniture layout, an arm this long could be either a fantastic benefit or an inconvenience. So make sure to have a good idea of what will work in your space before investing in a cantilevered-arm lamp.


Here is another playful stick-man silhouette, though this one reminds me of a large magnifying glass — which is fitting, since the rug is a play on a classic eye chart. This lamp is more limited as far as providing directional light, but what it lacks on account of a short arm, it makes up for by its dramatic height.


This wooden cantilevered floor lamp is rustic and playful yet modern, with a style that reminds me of Frank Lloyd Wright and Japanese rice paper lanterns. It would be a perfect match for Nordic-style interiors, rustic furnishings or even a little cottage in the middle of the woods.


Prefer design references from the '40s and '50s? This contemporary adjustable-arm lamp is perfect for an eclectic look and works well with antiques and flea market finds. It can be used as shown, or the arm can be raised to full height and adjusted to a 90-degree angle to create direct overhead lighting.


One last thought: Don't assume that a cantilevered floor lamp is at its best in the living room. Take a look at this stunning furniture layout and lighting solution that could very well work in a bedroom.

For me the cantelivered floor lamp is the perfect solution to that low-lanterns-over-the-coffee-table look that I've been wanting to incorporate into my living room decor, and I'm thrilled that I can have a similar look that's also practical.

URL: We'll Take It: The Overhead Light Everyone Will Love http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-18449.html