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An antique floor lamp is a conversational piece, in its own right. Having one at home is sure to entice your houseguests into an animated discussion about its intricate design, history, and romantic elegance. Its brass finish, stained-glass lampshades, and intricate designs are enough to lure anyone into delightful conversation.

In choosing a floor lamp, one of the primary questions you ask yourself is finding out what type of floor lamp suits your needs - whether you should buy an antique floor lamp or a contemporary floor lamp.

When compared to more modern floor lamps, an antique floor lamp has its benefits and drawbacks.

First of all, there is always a touch of class and elegance brought upon by an antique piece, in this case an antique floor lamp. Its mystery and unknown past is always very appealing, and could serve as an enchanting conversation topic when friends, family, and guests visit.

But then again, genuine antique floor lamps are very expensive. This is because they are very rare. In fact, French antique lamps are being sold up to a thousand dollars or more in some auctions. To make it more available to the budget-conscious public, manufacturers seek to mimic the antique look by applying different features found in original lamps like gilded bases, ornate cloths, and stained-glass lampshades. Others even imitate the hue or color of the finish.

In addition to this, an antique floor lamp is not suitable when you want to illuminate your room. It mainly serves as a dcor and visual appeal rather than performance and function. However, there are ways to improve its functionality and safety. You can take it to an electrician to replace the electrical wirings with more modern parts. Or, you can convert it into halogen or compressed fluorescent floor lamp if you want to enjoy the classic beauty of an antique floor lamp and at the same time, the benefits of modern lighting.

But then, replacing the wirings is not enough to ensure safety. You should also consider how stable the base of your floor lamp is. Nowadays, floor lamps go under inspection to pass the UL standards which gauge how easily a lamp can be tipped over. Antique floor lamps do not follow these standards, leading to a higher chance of it being tipped over and causing unwanted fires. All it takes is an unruly child to knock the lamp over and cause accidents. This is why it is very important to look for an antique floor lamp with a sturdy base.

Generally, having an antique floor lamp has both its disadvantages and advantages. Yes, it does add a touch of class, elegance, and romance to any home. However, it is very costly, and not totally functional, as it does not provide adequate lighting or illumination. So in deciding whether to go for an antique or modern floor lamp, ask yourself what you need it for. If you want one that is used solely for the purpose of ornament, then by all means, get an antique floor lamp. Just keep in mind that you have to apply the necessary improvements to its wirings and base for safety measures.

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