Marble Floor Lamps

What marble is

Marble is a metamorphic rock, formed when limestone is put under heat and pressure deep in the earth over a very long time. The process recrystallises the stone and creates the veining that makes each piece a little different, so no two pieces share quite the same pattern. It is dense and heavy, takes a smooth polish and stays cool to the touch.

In a floor lamp, that weight is useful. Where marble forms the base, it lowers the centre of gravity and helps a tall lamp stand steady on a rug or a wooden floor. Where it appears on the stem or as a detail, it brings a natural texture that softens the harder materials around it.

Choosing a marble floor lamp for your living room

Every lamp in our range suits the living room, so start with the job you want it to do. Many give ambient light, a soft general glow that fills a corner and makes a room feel calm in the evening. For reading beside a sofa or armchair, look for a shade that directs light downwards and sits a little above your shoulder when you are seated.

Think about the other materials in the room as well. Many of our lamps pair the stone with metal, and many come in black, which draws a crisp outline against pale walls. You will also find white, grey, brass and gold finishes among them: white and grey sit quietly in a calm scheme, while brass and gold add warmth beside wood and soft furnishings.

How the shade shapes the light

The shade decides where the light goes. A fabric shade diffuses the bulb into an even, gentle glow, while an opaque or metal shade sends light down and up in clearer pools. You will also find some lamps with glass, which can spread light more widely or let the bulb glow through softly. A few have a matt finish that keeps reflections low, and some a satin sheen that catches the light gently.

Bulbs, dimming and the colour of the light

Many of our marble floor lamps take an E27 bulb, the standard large screw fitting, so you can choose the brightness and colour you prefer. A few have integrated LED light instead, built into the lamp itself. Some give a warm white light, which suits a living room after dark and flatters the tones in the stone.

Some lamps are dimmable and some are not, so check each lamp's details if you want to set the level of light. If you use a dimmer, choose a bulb marked as dimmable; where a lamp is not dimmable, a less bright bulb or a warmer colour is a simple way to soften the mood.

Size and placement

Sizes vary across the range. A few are medium lamps that fit neatly beside a chair or at the end of a sofa, while some are large or extra large, with the presence to hold their own in a room with a high ceiling or an open plan layout. Measure the space first, allowing room for the shade to clear shelves, curtains and passing traffic.

Stand the lamp on a firm, level patch of floor so the base sits flat, and run the cable along a wall rather than across a walkway. Many are rated IP20, which means they belong in dry indoor rooms, so keep them away from sinks, bathrooms and anywhere they could be splashed.

Caring for marble and cleaning your lamp

Marble is porous and sensitive to acids, so wipe the stone with a soft cloth, dry or barely damp, and dry it straight away. Avoid vinegar, lemon, bleach and abrasive cleaners, which can etch or dull the surface, and wipe up any spill on the stone quickly before it can mark.

Dust metal parts with a dry cloth, clean glass with a little mild cleaner sprayed onto the cloth rather than the lamp, and use a soft brush or lint roller on fabric shades. Always switch off, unplug and let the bulb cool before you clean.