One of these unusual floor lamps will help your décor stand out from the crowd. These unique designs boast an added design flourish to really make a statement.
To help you find the perfect light for your bedroom, living space or dining room, we’ve shone the spotlight on our favourite unusual floor lamps. Like what you see? Simply click on the image to find it online.
Melt Floor Lamp Chandelier
By Tom Dixon
Whilst Tom Dixon’s entire Melt collection packs a punch, it’s the Melt Floor Lamp Chandelier that makes the biggest statement. Designed in collaboration with Swedish design collective FRONT, the lamp features seven otherworldly diffusers.
Each one features a striking molten silhouette that’s achieved using vacuum metallisation and moulding. The orbs only become translucent when lit, meaning it makes a statement even when not in use.
Noctambule Floor Lamp
By Konstantin Grcic for Flos
Named after the French word for ‘night owl’, Konstantin Grcic’s Noctambule Floor Lamp comes into its own after dark. By day the light is almost transparent and invisible, by night it transforms into a sculptural illumination.
Want to know more about the Noctambule Floor Lamp? Read Behind the Design: Noctambule.
Akari Bb3-33S Floor Lamp
By Isamu Noguchi for Vitra
The Akari Bb3-33S Floor Lamp is part of a collection of unusual floor lamps designed by Isamu Noguchi in 1951. The Akari Light Sculptures are named after the Japanese word for ‘light’ in reference to their physical lightness and illumination.
The inspiration behind the collection came from paper lanterns Noguchi observed at the Japanese town of Gifu. Today, each one is crafted by hand in the Ozeki workshop, a family-run crafters based in Gifu.
Gravity XL Floor Lamp
By Space Copenhagen for Gubi
Designed by Space Copenhagen for Gubi, the Gravity Floor Lamp offers a traditional silhouette, scaled up for a modern touch. Each light in this collection of unusual floor lamps is remarkably sculptural thanks to an abundance of solid marble bases. When illuminated, the lamp casts an atmospheric glow through the traditional fabric shade.
Birdie Floor Lamp
By Ludovica and Roberto Polomba for Foscarini
To create the Birdie Floor Lamp, Ludovica and Roberto Polomba took the classic lampshade-lamp and gave it a contemporary twist. The modern floor lamp is crafted using metallized polycarbonate, a cutting-edge finish that completes its playful aesthetic.
Its touch-dimmer switch is cleverly disguised as a branch, like one a bird may roost on. This gives the light its name, Birdie.
Type 75 Giant Floor Lamp
By Sir Kenneth Grange for Anglepoise
Three times the size of the classic Type 75 Desk Lamp, this oversized Anglepoise floor lamp is ideal for modern spaces. It’s crafted using precision-machined components and even boasts a rotating shade, making it just as functional as its Lilliputian inspiration.
Even better, this unusual floor lamp really makes a statement and looks incredible in large living spaces.
Superloon Floor Lamp
By Jasper Morrison for Flos
Modern spaces will come into their own thanks to this incredibly contemporary Superloon Floor Lamp. Taking advantage of all the creative benefits LED lighting offers, the impressively flat light source rests on a tripod base.
Furthermore, it rotates up to 360° and has various levels of intensity so you can adjust the glow to suit. This truly unusual floor lamp deserves to take centre stage in your space.
Toobe Floor Lamp
By Ferruccio Laviani for Kartell
This futuristic floor lamp from Kartell offers colour as well as illumination. Available in a selection of vibrant colours, these unusual floor lamps look great even when not in use. When illuminated, the lights cast a vibrant glow throughout the room with the hue dependent on the lamp’s colour.
Charlie Floor Lamp
By Heal’s Design Studio
Impressively industrial and as timeless as it is contemporary, the Charlie Floor Lamp is inspired by both the past and present. Its antique brass detailing and modern tripod base wouldn’t look out of place in any space.
When illuminated, the lamp casts subtle shadows thanks to the fretwork diffuser. Plus, the versatile lamp can be used as an uplight or directed downwards for a softer lighting option.
Crystal Floor Lamp
By Timothy Oulton
Timothy Oulton’s Crystal Floor Lamp takes inspiration from late Georgian-era lights, transferring the traditional chandelier silhouette to a floor lamp. Part of a collection of unusual floor lamps, the design features all the usual hallmarks of a chandelier.
This includes precision-cut crystals, candle lights and bobèche dishes, all contrasted with Timothy Oulton’s signature rustic aged metal patina.
[ INSPIRATION ]
Behind the design
Furniture and sets play important roles in films and television programmes. Many iconic designs becoming truly era-defining over time. As such, they lend themselves perfectly to setting the scene in films. This ranges from creating mid-century living spaces using Finn Juhl furniture to transporting us to space via futuristic Knoll designs. Discover the furniture that helps to set the scene in some of the world’s favourite films.
Toy Story 2
When watching Toy Story 2 as a child you probably didn’t realise Woody was climbing on a Cherner Chair. This iconic chair fits perfectly with the rest of the mid-century furniture you can spot throughout Al’s furniture store. Hopefully his spurs didn’t scratch the wood.
About the Cherner Chair
Norman Cherner designed this chair is a mid-century icon in 1958. Well-deserving of its place in multiple films and museums, Cherner’s original drawings inspired the chair's reissuing. Its distinctive wasp-waisted silhouette makes it instantly recognisable in all settings, unless of course you’re a child watching an animation.
James Bond Films
In Casino Royale when James Bond arrived at M’s house it was a life and death situation, not to admire her interiors. But that’s not stopping us. The strikingly modern apartment with views across London is home to plenty of design classics. The Barcelona Chair that seats Bond and the chrome coffee table are both notable examples. You can also spot other iconic designs throughout the series, with sleek, modernist designs perfect additions to villains' lairs.
About the Barcelona Chair
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich designed the Barcelona Chair in 1929 for the German Pavilion at Barcelona’s International Exposition. The design embodies Mies van der Rohe’s mantra that “less is more”, thanks to its elegant curved legs and luxurious leather upholstery.
Judy
The Oscar-winning film Judy stars Renée Zellweger, Rufus Sewell and another icon, the Eames Lounge Chair. Spotted with Zellweger sat on it, the lounge chair completes the modernist aesthetic of the luxurious villa. We particularly love seeing it with white leather upholstery rather than the brown leather that’s more commonly chosen.
About the Eames Lounge Chair
Charles and Ray Eames designed the lounge chair as an updated version of the old English club chair. Developing it took several years but their efforts were well worth it. Today, the Eames Lounge Chair is an icon of the design world and holds an important place in the history of modern furniture.
2001: A Space Odyssey
One of Stanley Kubrick’s most iconic films, 2001: A Space Odyssey is also home to some out-of-this-world designs. Notably, a lounge inside the Hilton Hotel on Space Station 5 is full of Oliver Morgue’s Djinn Chairs and lookalike Tulip Tables. The contrasting white and red scheme has since defined the film’s aesthetic and elevated the designs to even higher statuses.
About the Djinn Chair
The Djinn Chair is named after Islamic spirits that change shape and was heavily influenced by Eastern mysticism. Oliver Morgue also designed the chair’s low silhouette to fit the informality of contemporary lifestyles. Over the years many of these chairs have been lost, forgotten or fallen into disrepair. If you’re eager to see one, visit New York’s MoMA where there’s one in the permanent collection.
The Devil Wears Prada
As an authority on fashion, it’s only natural that the Runway Magazine HQ in The Devil Wears Prada is cutting edge in terms of furniture. The office is full of sleek furniture befitting of Miranda Priestly, including these red-upholstered Bertoia Wire Chairs.
About the Bertoia Wire Chair
Harry Bertoia designed this chair collection in 1952 and in doing so transformed industrial wire into a thing of beauty. Betoia designed the collection at the bequest of Hans and Florence Knoll. Their prestigious design house still crafts it today. Bertoia described the chairs as “Made of air, like sculpture. Space passes right through them".
Our Design Consultants spend every day working alongside iconic furniture and are true experts in their field. So, we spoke with some of our team members to find out what their favourite designs are. From chairs and tables to classic designs and Heal’s originals, discover what our experts love about them.
Matt | Vitra Ambassador
Plywood Group LCW
One of my all time favourites has to be our Plywood Group LCW by Charles and Ray Eames. Now into its 75th year, this design icon looks as great today as ever. With its moulded plywood seat and back, the small lounge chair offers not only great comfort but a timeless addition to any space for years and years to come.
John | Studio Supervisor
Matera Sofa
The Matera Sofa collection has been a perennial favourite since we launched it and this is down to its slim silhouette and the buttery-soft Daino leather we have chosen for the upholstery. The naturally dyed, full aniline leather will age and patinate over time, becoming a centrepiece in your home and tell the story of its history through its vintage look.
Paolo | Design Consultant
Flos Lighting
Flos has such a huge catalogue that we only have part of the collection on display in store. The things I love about this brand are its clean and simple design. Thanks to this simplicity, Flos is able to highlight details in ways that other brands can’t.
Anita | Design Consultant
Wishbone Chair
For me, I love how Hans J. Wegner’s Wishbone Chair for Carl Hansen & Søn is inspired by the throne of the Ming dynasty. I particularly love the joints between the seat’s frame and the back support. The chair is really a beautiful piece of craftsmanship.
Samia | Design Consultant
Nova Extendable Dining Table
For years, Heal's has upheld the momentum of constructing innovative designs as well as countless pieces of fine craftsmanship. Since the Nova Extendable Table was launched in late 2019, it has been difficult to find a design that could exceed its uniqueness and quality.
This table merges contemporary and industrial styles to create a refreshing twist on modern dining. Plus, the durable materials used certify the longevity of this product. Personally this is one of my favourite pieces as I have yet to find a table that can contend with such ingenuity.
London-based designer Genevieve Bennett is the designer behind our exclusive Deco collection. Her designs draw inspiration from the tradition of decorative arts with the addition of sophisticated technology.
We delved deep to discover more about this contemporary designer and what inspires her.
How did Genevieve Bennett get into design?
Genevieve Bennett’s entry into design came after graduating with a Masters in Printed and Embroidered Textiles at the Royal College of Art. After graduation she worked as a consultant, designing home accessories for brands like Habitat and Wedgwood. It wasn’t until 2008 that she founded her own, eponymously-named studio.
What inspires her work?
Three-dimensional sculptural forms and textural surfaces have a large influence on Bennett’s work. She combines these with cutting-edge techniques and her own distinctive patterns. A love of natural materials drives a large part of Genevieve Bennett’s work.
Her instinctive command of pattern and desire to craft designs that are timelessly elegant define her collections. Bennett is committed to making sure each thoroughly contemporary design is precious, distinctive and long-lasting.
What is her signature style?
Genevieve Bennett is well known for her signature leatherwork designs. She uses this leatherwork to create bespoke artwork, furniture and mirrors. Each of her leather creations is handcrafted in London using only the finest materials.
What is her process when designing patterns?
All of Genevieve Bennett’s designs begin as pencil sketches and draw upon her extensive collection of patterns. This rich pattern archive is the accumulation of over 18 years of travel, research and working abroad. Islamic tile, English Arts and Craft and Art Deco metalwork heavily influence each pattern Bennett designs. Once she has developed a pattern, Bennett refines it through repeat drawing before it enters production.
Genevieve Bennett at Heal’s
Genevieve Bennett is the designer behind our exclusive Knot collection. Composed of lighting, rugs and mirrors, this is the first Heal’s collection to span different product categories. Bennett drew inspiration from the ancient art of knot tying practiced on Samurai armour. Geometric patterns, contrasting materials and intricate finishes define the range. Notably, the Deco Glass Pendant marks Genevieve Bennett’s first foray into lighting design. This stunning light exudes a luxurious, vintage aesthetic with Bennett's signature contemporary twist.
Shop Genevieve Bennett at Heal's
Tom Raffield is the brains behind some of our most popular designs. For example, the Skipper Pendant Light and the Morvah Wall-Hanging Planter. Creating furniture, lighting and home accessories from his base in Cornwall, Tom Raffield’s origins lie in steam bending. Today, his creations break new ground by finding the perfect balance between traditional techniques and modern technologies. So, we dug a little deeper to find out a little more about the contemporary designer.
What makes Tom Raffield designs so special?
The things that we produce can’t be mass produced. It doesn’t matter how many lights or pieces of furniture we’re making, we always make that product the same way. We put the same amount of care and attention into each individual product. It’s made by a craftsperson, by one of us, at our workshop. It’s not been made on a large production line. We want to make sure it’s as good as it possibly can be so it’s going to last a lifetime.
Tell us a little bit about the process of steam-bending
It’s a very low-tech process. We don't use any particularly expensive machinery or sophisticated equipment. It’s all so basic but the thing that makes it special is our belief in doing things in a new way and using the tools in a new way. The outcome is something that’s completely unique.
What do you consider when creating a new design?
For us it’s not just about making a really beautiful product, it’s also about understanding where that product comes from. It’s about understanding the process that made that product as well as the trees that created the wood to make that product. Having such a good understanding of the material and the process ensures there are no restrictions on creativity – knowing that anything can be achieved is extraordinarily liberating.
What does sustainability mean to you and your business?
I truly believe that sustainability should be synonymous with good design, much like quality and function are, and that this is the answer to over-consumption and the environmental challenges we face. It’s fantastic to see consumer expectations changing to recognise this too and I hope sustainable design principles will become more widely adopted by leading designers as time goes on.
What’s your favourite design?
We've done lots of incredible projects spanning over a decade. One of the more recent ones would have to be our house that appeared on Channel 4 Grand Designs in 2016. Similarly, 2018’s Chelsea Flower Show Pavilion had an enormous steam-bent bench which was probably the biggest free-standing structure we've built to date.
Shop Tom Raffield
The designer behind our statement-making Isola Sofa collection, Lucy Kurrein is quickly establishing herself in the furniture industry. Lucy Kurrein founded her eponymous studio in 2013 and in the same year released her first design for SCP. In recent years she has worked with some of design’s biggest names, including Heal’s,
The Conran Shop and Molinari. From receiving the Design Guild Mark in 2019 for her Panel Chair to more recently being awarded ELLE Decoration's Young Design Talent Award 2020, Lucy Kurrein is a force to be reckoned with.
How did you first get into design?
I studied furniture design at Buckinghamshire University, then worked for several years with Matthew Hilton, followed by PearsonLloyd. Luckily I was fortunate to have such a diverse and rigorous training. I always felt a particular sensibility for design and knew I would have to work independently to be able to fully exercise that. I approached SCP with my first idea and it went from there.
Tell us a bit about your design process.
Drawing and handmade model-making is integral, but my process is predominantly digital for accuracy. I create three-dimensional models on screen, then print maquettes at a fifth of the size, which I paint or upholster. The factories can then work from my data to the millimetre.
Who is a Lucy Kurrein design for?
I design for myself but I can’t help but judge my ideas through other people's eyes too - friends and family etc. You can never really be sure how people will react though, so in the end I follow my own gut. It sounds callous, but I have to trust that my own objectives must reflect those of at least a few others.
What materials define a Lucy Kurrein design?
Upholstery, wood and metal, but I’m always looking for sustainable options. Whatever I’m using, I try to work in a compelling way.
What’s the biggest challenge facing emerging designers?
Aside from the obvious design challenges, I’d say that finding good, like-minded producers to work with is a big hurdle. I have been very lucky to have the wonderful London-based producer/retailer SCP give me my first break and kick-start my career.
Shop Lucy Kurrein
HEAL'S DISCOVERS
HEAL'S DISCOVERS
Ed Heritage
As part of this season’s Heal’s Discovers initiative, we’re delighted to introduce Ed Heritage, an award-winning UK-based designer whose signature style of clean geometry and playful details is reflected in the beautiful lamp he created.
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