Why is it that the cartoon of Inspector Gadget comes to mind whenever an extendable, arching floor lamp soars from point A to point B across a room? It may be because the idea that the largest breed of lamp can balance using a counterweight on floor level still plays tricks on our eyes. Or perhaps its the extendable options that many offer to sprout the light’s ideal length. In any case, floor lamps of the arched variety have made it into our Top Ten list in everything from an antiquated style to those of the ultra contemporary.

Top Ten: Arched Floor Lamps.

Floor Lamps that Angle and Soar Up and Out, from Base to Bulb

1. Superarchimoon
DESIGNER: Philippe Starck
MANUFACTURER: Flos
PRICE: $9,950- 13,750
Dimensions: 31.1″dia. x 83.5″H base; 69.5″L arm; 22.8″dia. x 15.7″H shade

With a hand-blown and pressed borosilicate glass internal diffuser with an acid-etched shade, the Superarchimoon floor lamp by Philippe Starck shines with both direct and reflected light. Coming in an indoor or outdoor version, it uses a 250W T10 double envelope halogen light bulb and is constructed with elegant tubular arms, stainless steel springs and a dimmer to create just the right mood.

2. Twiggy
DESIGNER: Marc Sadler
MANUFACTURER: Foscarini
PRICE: $2,433
Dimensions: 67″-79″W x 85″-110″H overall; 18″D x 11.5″H base

Created out of a composite lacquered material on an ample fiberglass base, the Twiggy floor lamp by Marc Sadler for Foscarini showcases a light source pointing downwards as the ideal reading lamp. Available in four colors – White, Black, Yellow or Red – the reflection of the downward-facing light is also cast upwards, making it also an ambient source of light.

3. MRL191 Counterbalance
MANUFACTURER: Baker
PRICE: Available upon request
Dimensions: 6″H x 2″- 11.5″dia. shade

Looking anything but simplified and modern like its arched floor lamp peers, the MRL191 Counterbalance floor lamp by Baker travels back in time to the pulley system for inspiration. With a modern twist on its style, the matte antique brass finish and soft, amber glass lampshade keeps this distinctive beauty subtle and warm.

4. Katana
DESIGNER: Valerio Cometti and Paolo Balzanelli
MANUFACTURER: Itre of FDV
PRICE: $7,900
Dimensions: 100.4″W x 90.5″- 98.4″H

In black or white, the modern, swooping lines that create the Katana arched floor lamp is said to be inspired by “the instruments of the ancient noble art of the Samurais”. Using carbon fiber and a heat resistant glass plate with satin steel details, the dimming Katana lamp compliments a contemporary space.

5. Arco
DESIGNER: Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
MANUFACTURER: FLOS
PRICE: $2,950
Dimensions: 95″H X 74.6″- 78.6″W overall; 21.5″H x 9.4″W base; 11.5″dia. shade

Timeless design in lamp form, the Arco is a tall, slender 1962 design by Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni. Made from polished aluminum, the domed shade and heavy marble base add luxury and poise to an office or living area.

6. Steel Arc
DESIGNER: Carlo Zerbaro and Alessandro Trentin
MANUFACTURER: &’Costa
PRICE: $3,135
Dimensions: 94″H x 41″- 80″L overall; 15.75″dia. x 6.7″H shade

With an extendable arm and birdcage-like lampshade hung from its structure, the Italian-made Steel Arc floor lamp by Carlo Zerbaro and Alessandro Trentin for &’Costa (said “And Costa”) uses a semi-transparency in its shade design to accentuate the large bulb within.

7. P-2718 Miris
DESIGNER: Leonardo Marelli
MANUFACTURER: Estiluz
PRICE: $2,635
Dimensions: 76.75″- 86.25″H x 57.1″- 80.4″L overall; 19.75″dia. x 4.75″H shade

The P-2718 Miris floor lamp’s adjustable telescoping stem swings at angles of up to 30° for a gorgeous range of flexible motion. With a glass diffuser on the bottom and a white metal diffuser on the top, designer Leonardo Marelli and manufacturer Estiluz created it in an incandescent or energy-efficient fluorescent lamp that comes finished in white or black.

8. Fork
MANUFACTURER: Foscarini + Diesel
PRICE: $1,210
Dimensions: 73.03″H x 24.34″W x 24.34″D

In a textured canvas lampshade of ivory or gray, the Diesel-designed floor lamp design of Fork, by Foscarini and Diesel’s Successful Living partnership, conjures up a casual, campsite-like fashion for the interior space. With a flexible lampshade and jointed structure which allows for an angular arc, the light’s direction changes with ease.

9. Mama
MANUFACTURER: Ligne Roset
PRICE: approx. $1,000
Dimensions: 78.75″H x 15.75″W x 69.75″D

In Ligne Roset’s words, the Mama floor lamp is a standard lamp with a counterbalance-controlled arm. The structure itself is made from a brilliant chromed, tubular steel and it comes with a solid slate base and a crisp, white taffeta lampshade.

10. Link
DESIGNER: Peter Stathis
MANUFACTURER: Pablo Pardo
PRICE: $440
Dimensions: 64″H x 26″L overall; 22″- 36″L arm; 9.5″D base

Designed in 2009 as a modern version of the classic pantograph task lamp, the Link floor light by Peter Stathis for Pablo Pardo incorporates LED lighting with a dual-purposed shade-handle for a beaming ring of light. Made with sustainable, recyclable materials and easy assembly and dis-assembly, the Link comes in five colors: silver, white, black, orange and green.

Hope you enjoyed our roundup of the Top Ten Arched Floor Lamps!

Top Ten articles publish every Tuesday. Email 3rings@designerpages.com if there’s a category you’d like to see.