Today's standard lamps are mercifully casting off their barleytwist, pink velvet fringed reputation with some gloriously modern designs that can add real wow factor to a home, whatever its style. Show-stopping arc lamps in super-reflective chrome are a striking alternative to low-hung pendants, while Anglepoise-style standard lamps in brilliantly bright colours play with scale, confuse the eye and add an injection of fun. Classic and traditional styles still abound too and wooden tripods, chandelier standards and Tiffany styles can all cast a little magical mood lighting in a living room. If you're looking to buy, check out this selection of some of our favourites.
Fun light that plays with scale. This adjustable floor-standing angled design by The Forest and Co comes in a gorgeous soft powder blue and is great to have over your desk or beside a chair or sofa as a reading light. It has a good, sturdy base so can also just be used as a freestanding lamp to add a funky, contemporary feel to a room.
Buy now: Powder Blue Angled Standard Lamp, £155, Not on the High Street
Classic black design uplighter with a convenient reading light at a budget price. The super simple slimline design means it can squeeze into any corner and is versatile enough to look at home in any room.
Buy now: Mother and Child Standard Lamp, £29, Very
Compact industrial-style design that makes a practical and beautiful addition to a reading nook. Nickel finish steel base and arm with pretty glass shade. The height of the lamp is adjustable.
Buy now: Pimlico Standard Lamp, £165, Worldstores
Create a truly striking look in any room with this floor light, framed in copper plated metal and unique polyvinyl chloride shade.
Buy now: Corsica Rose Gold Standard Lamp, £149, Marks and Spencer
This sleek and stylish contemporary floor lamp fits right into any modern living room. Features an adjustable arching stem and an articulated spherical shade.
Buy now: Large Bow Shiny Chrome Standard Lamp, £99, Made
Beautiful vintage Tiffany-style standard lamp. Once lit, the jewel-bright coloured glass shade will transform your living space.
Buy now: MiniSun Uplighter Standard Lamp, £95, Tesco Direct
Add a traditional vintage touch to a living space with this smart tripod lamp. Let it stand centre stage for impact or draw it up to an armchair for easy reading. It has three adjustable uprights and a central stem with brass fixtures and a large neutral coloured shade.
Buy now: Colonial Tripod Standard Lamp, £195, Within
A great fit for modern and traditional interiors, the Hector Dome lamp will look lovely in the corner of a living room or bedroom, bringing the space to life. Chrome finish, pretty flex plus bone china details.
Buy now: Original BTC Hector Dome Standard Lamp, £205, The White Company
Add a romantic touch with a hint of gold and the sparkle of glass. For added glamour this pretty floor lamp is topped with a small Shamley five-arm chandelier. Metal and glass.
Buy now: Shamley Gold Metal Floor Lamp, £173, Laura Ashley
Position this lantern-style floor lamp so that it hangs over a sofa or armchair. Its attractive irregular hexagonal cotton shade drops elegantly from the slightly curved stand, making it an intriguing and statement design for your home. Metal with cotton shade.
Buy now: Sway Standard Lamp, £95, John Lewis