FLOS is the Italian lighting brand behind some of the most recognisable lamps in modern design. In this guide we introduce its best-known designs, explain what makes each one special, and suggest which FLOS lamp suits which room in your home.
The FLOS Icons
Arco. If one lamp defines FLOS, it is Arco, the mid-century classic by Italian designer Achille Castiglioni. The Arco LED Floor Lamp combines an arching aluminium frame, a domed shade and an elegantly carved Carrara marble base. Because the arch carries the light well away from its base, it is the perfect way to light a dining table or the middle of a sofa without a ceiling point.
Glo-Ball. Jasper Morrison created the Glo-Ball series inspired by the soft, serene glow of a full moon in a clear sky. The spherical shade maximises the diffusion of light while minimising the light's profile. The Glo-Ball Suspension Pendant Lamp is made from hand-blown opaline glass and hangs from a sturdy steel cable, and the Glo-Ball Table Lamp uses a hand-blown, etched opaline glass diffuser for a soft yet bright light.
Bellhop. Designed by British designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, the Bellhop family takes its shape from the bell traditionally used in hotel lobbies. The original Bellhop Table Lamp is compact, portable and rechargeable, so it can move from the dining table to the garden.
IC. Michael Anastassiades designed the IC collection, inspired by impressive acrobatics, and its graceful silhouette seems to defy gravity. The IC Table Lamp is a beautiful balance of lustred metal and glass.
The wider FLOS catalogue also includes famous names such as Snoopy and Skygarden. If you are looking for one of these, contact the team and we will be happy to help.
Living Rooms
A living room usually needs layers: a general light, something to read by and something soft for the evening. Arco covers the first two in one statement piece. For a reading corner, the Tab Floor Lamp gives direct light from an adjustable head that rotates through ±90°, with a multi-LED diffuser designed to avoid multiple shadows and dazzle. Add a Glo-Ball table lamp on a sideboard for a gentle glow.
Kitchens and Dining Spaces
Pendants over an island or table should give useful light without glare. The Smithfield Suspension Lamp has an aluminium body and an opalescent methacrylate diffuser, in gloss black, matte black, red, green, white or MUD. Hang two or three in a row over a long island. For something softer above a round table, the Frisbi pendant combines a chrome reflector with an opal diffuser to deliver direct, diffused and reflected light.
Bedrooms and Bedsides
Bedside lamps should be easy to reach and kind to the eyes. The Tab Table Lamp has a folded shade that distributes light evenly and a movable neck for angled reading light. If you are short of sockets, the Bon Jour Unplugged Table Lamp is cordless and rechargeable by micro-USB. For a tidy wall-mounted option, the Mini Glo-Ball Lamp can be fitted to the ceiling, the wall or even a mirror, which makes it handy above a dressing table.
Outdoors and On the Move
Rechargeable lamps have changed how we use light. The Bellhop table lamp is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, so it can light a terrace table on a summer evening and come back inside afterwards. For a permanent fitting, the Bellhop Wall Lamp Up is an LED uplighter with the same shell-like profile.
A Few Tips Before You Buy
- Measure the space: an arching floor lamp needs room for its reach.
- Think about the type of light: opaline glass gives a soft, even glow, while an adjustable head is best for tasks.
- Mix scales: one statement piece per room, supported by smaller lamps.
Browse the full FLOS collection or our wider lighting range, or visit the shop in Somerset and talk to the team about the right lamp for your room.
