Cost

• A torchiere is a relatively inexpensive lighting option for two reasons: the lamps themselves are comparatively inexpensive, particularly the standard big-box retailer variety, and fewer lamps or fixtures are needed to provide ample ambient lighting to a sizable space, 500 square feet or less.
  
  

Amount of Light

• For those that do not have built-in ceiling lighting, the torchiere is one of the easiest ways to provide ample light for larger rooms. Living rooms, bedrooms and family rooms are common areas where several lamps or fixtures would usually be required to light the room. However, since torchieres concentrate light upward and are tall, light is deflected and spread across a larger amount of the ceiling so that an entire room can be lit. Most torchieres also come with dimmer knobs to adjust the brightness to personal taste.
  
  

Freestanding Lamp vs. Fixture

• Freestanding lamps provide flexibility of placement and the convenience of not needing wiring or installation. However, there are some safety concerns with exposed cords and the fact that the lamps are usually top-heavy with thin posts. Additionally, unless the outlet to which the lamp is attached is wired to a switch, powering a torchiere on or off will require a trip to the lamp itself.
  
  

Direction of Light

• The direction that light will be reflected is one of the most important choices in selecting lamps or fixtures as it sets the mood and determines how light is concentrated in a room.
  
  Uplighting is generally used to create a softer atmosphere and provide indirect lighting. It is a warmer, more relaxing kind of lighting that is appropriate for casual areas such as living rooms, dining rooms and family rooms. The torchiere was created to achieve this effect while providing maximum output for an incandescent or halogen lamp. Unlike a regular tall lamp, which provides both up- and downlighting, the torchiere almost always provides only uplighting.
  
  Downlighting has several variations, ranging from low-wattage table lamps to ceiling fixtures to the high-intensity light of track or pendant fixtures. Though shades, dimmers and various light bulbs can be used to soften the effect of this lighting, it will always have somewhat of a spotlight glare for those directly under it.
  
  Multi-directional lighting is generally reserved for work or task illumination, this all around lighting provides high wattage for maximum visibility such as bare fluorescent bulbs, wall sconces, bathroom fixtures and clear or shade-less pendants.
  
  

Style

• Though most lighting comes in a wide range of styles from historical replicas to ultra-modern sculpted forms, the torchiere style can be more limited because an upward-facing reflector is required to achieve its uplighting function. Simple torchieres found in big box stores will be the typical "flying saucer" on a stick. For a bit more money, some Tiffany-style art glass, traditional and modern designer styles can be found at lighting stores and design-oriented specialty retailers.