Floor Lamps Glossary

A short dictionary of floor-lamp related terms The lighting world has a vocabulary all its own, and floor lamps are no exception. Floor lamp jargon generally falls into two categories: aesthetic terms such as "accent lighting" and "figure lamps," and technical terms such as "solid state" or "CFL." In this lighting and floor lamps glossary, we provide a list of some of the most commonly used floor lamp terms from these categories and their brief yet illuminating definitions - pun intended. Accent lighting: The use of light to focus a viewer's attention on a particular object, decorative feature, or area, or to create an overall aesthetic effect within a room. Accent lighting could be used to draw out textures or colors, or to heighten the dramatic impact of a painting. Ambient lighting: Ambient lighting is the opposite of accent lighting. It refers to the creation of visual ambience or atmosphere within an entire room. This is usually achieved through a combination of floor lamps, table lamps, and wall- or ceiling-mounted lighting fixtures.

CFL: The acronym CFL stands for compact fluorescent lamp, a type of low-energy light bulb that is used in energy-efficient floor lamps. Though more expensive than incandescent bulbs, CFL light bulbs last longer and use much less energy. A CFL will yield about $30 in savings.

Discharge lamps: Discharge lamps, also known as arc lamps, produce light when an electric current passes through a gas that separates two electrodes. Fluorescent lamps are low-pressure arc lamps that use mercury. High-intensity discharge lamps operate at higher pressures and temperatures. Types of HID lamps include mercury lamps, metal halide lamps, ceramic metal halide lamps, and high-pressure sodium lamps.

Figure lamps: Figure lamps are decorative lamps that depict a human, animal, or mythological figure. The figure itself may be the lamp's pole or base, or it may be an aesthetic addition to the form of the lamp.

Filament: Filaments are thin wires, typically made from tungsten, that are used in incandescent light bulbs. When a filament is heated by an electric current, it glows and emits light.

Floodlights: A floodlight is a broad-beamed light that provides a high level of widely spread illumination. Floodlight floor lamps cast an evenly dispersed light that can be used for reading, for decorative purposes, or to accent decor items.

Floor lamps: A typical floor lamp features a stand or base that supports a stationary pole with a bulb holder, bulb, and sometimes a lamp shade at the top. Some floor lamps feature mobile arms for task lighting or multiple arms for more dispersed or precisely focused light. Floor lamps are commonly used for general or ambient lighting. A floor lamp shade may direct light downward, upward, or both downward and upward.

Fluorescent bulb: Fluorescent light bulbs contain a small amount of mercury, which emits UV light when electrically charged. This light is absorbed and re-emitted as visible light by a fluorescent material that coats the inside of the bulb.

Halogen bulb: A halogen lamp is a type of incandescent lamp that can operate at a higher temperature and therefore provide more lumens per watt. Types of halogen lamps include quartz halogen lamps and tungsten halogen lamps.

Incandescent bulb: Incandescent bulbs operate via an electric current that passes through and heats a light-emitting filament.

Indirect lighting: When floor lamps are used for indirect lighting, the light is cast upward toward the ceiling, causing it to scatter and create a softer, more diffuse luster.

LED lamps: LED lamps, or light emitting diode lamps, are a type of solid-state lighting. Though an LED lamp is more expensive than fluorescent lamps, it has a longer life and uses energy more efficiently.

Solid state: Solid-state lighting is a term often used in association with LEDs, which are bulbs that use light-emitting diodes. Solid state signifies that the light emerges from a semiconductor, a solid object, rather than from a vacuum or tube.

Spotlights: Spotlights cast a very strong light that is tightly restricted to a small area. Spotlights are essentially the opposite of floodlights. Some floor lamp styles feature a pole with a series of small spotlights that can be adjusted to provide more targeted lighting.

Task lighting: A utilitarian rather than a decorative lighting source, task lighting is used to enable the performance of visual tasks such as reading or sketching. Task lighting should be bright and glare-free.

Torchiere: Its name derived from the French word for "torch," the torchiere is a floor lamp that features a bowl-shaped shade which diffuses or directs light upward.

Wattage: Wattage is the amount of electrical power used by a light bulb.