I spent too much money on a floor lamp and should have bought this  gem instead

I spent too much money on a floor lamp and should have bought this $60 gem instead

When I browse online or check out a brand’s latest home collection, I’m always drawn to the lamps. Sometimes they live in my head rent-free for years—like this table lamp from Anthropologie. So I’m pretty picky about the lamps I let into my home. Unfortunately, about a year ago, I spent $185 on a floor lamp, which is a major expense for me—maybe the most I’ve ever paid for a home accessory—and guess what? After a month of use, it stopped working. I think the wiring was faulty. I was so upset and angry with myself for forgetting a basic shopping rule: just because something is expensive doesn’t mean it’s well-made (especially these days). I lugged it down and put it out in the trash, intentionally taping a note to it that said “DOESN’T WORK” so some New Yorker wouldn’t take it in search of home accessories.

Basically, I needed a new floor lamp. I tried to get by without and relied on the hideous overhead lights my landlord installed – aka Big Light, but they made it hard for me to relax after a long day at work. My favorite spot for reading on our sofa was marred by harsh light. Luckily, I had the opportunity to test out something from Lamps Plus and picked out a relatively inexpensive $60 floor lamp that suited my tastes, hoping that at least I wouldn’t be too disappointed if it broke.

360 Lighting Dawson Pharmacy Floor Lamp with Adjustable Boom Arm, Antique Brass360 Lighting Dawson Pharmacy Floor Lamp with Adjustable Boom Arm, Antique Brass

360 Lighting Dawson Pharmacy Floor Lamp with Adjustable Boom Arm, Antique Brass

360 Lighting Dawson Pharmacy Floor Lamp with Adjustable Boom Arm, Antique Brass

Lamps Plus

59,99 €

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What is the 360 ​​Lighting Dawson Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp?

I chose the 360 ​​Lighting Dawson Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp because it was marked as one of the most popular lamps on the Lamps Plus website and had 64 reviews with an average of 4.5 stars, which is pretty good in my professional opinion.

The lamp is adjustable and can be between 83cm and 168cm high. The base is 25cm wide and the lamp’s boom arm is 56cm long. The cord is 1.8m long. The lamp requires a medium sized 60W bulb, not included, and turns on and off with a rotary switch. It is available in antique brass or dark bronze (I chose antique brass).

Antique brass lamp in the living room.Antique brass lamp in the living room.

Photo credit: Alicia Kort Photo credit: Alicia Kort

Why I love the Dawson Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp from 360 Lighting

After my previous (and only) experience with a floor lamp, I went into unboxing with a certain feeling. I was pleasantly surprised that it only took me five minutes to assemble the lamp and plug it into the wall. What struck me immediately was that the parts of this lamp felt a little heavy, like a lot of care had gone into their manufacture. My previous lamp felt flimsy, the metal seemed to be of inferior quality, and the lamp wobbled menacingly on its base if I accidentally bumped into it. This lamp feels like it should be more expensive than it is.

Even though it’s a slightly lower floor lamp (I set it at the highest height), it lights up the entire corner of my living room. I can read comfortably. And since I live in a studio apartment, I also think the lamp helps to delineate the living room from the kitchen, which is also a bonus. As for the lamp itself, I simply used one of the bulbs I already had that was a bit too bright, so I’m going to replace it. But overall, after a month of use, I’m very happy with this lamp and have already gotten some compliments on it.

Buy: 360 Lighting Dawson Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp, $59.99

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