Rattan Floor Lamp Placement: Sombrero vs Portofino Guide
By Kip&Co: Fun, colourful and stylish bedding, homewares ... | Published: 2026-11-04
Category: How-to Guides
Learn where to place a rattan floor lamp for soft, dappled light. Compare the Sombrero and Portofino styles and follow a simple step-by-step placement plan for your living room or bedroom.
Quick answer
Place a rattan floor lamp slightly behind and to the side of your main seating or reading spot, about 45–60 cm from the wall, so the woven shade casts soft, dappled light without glare. Choose the Sombrero for a neutral, sculptural look or the Portofino for a playful pop of colour.
Why placement matters more with a woven shade
Rattan shades scatter light through their weave, which creates a softer, more atmospheric glow than a solid fabric or metal shade. That dappled effect is lovely, but it also means the lamp needs a little breathing room: pushed tight into a corner, the pattern can look flat and the light can pool awkwardly.
Both the Sombrero and Portofino are floor lamps, so they work best as a layering light rather than your only source. Use them alongside ceiling or table lighting to avoid a single bright spot in an otherwise dim room.
Sombrero vs Portofino: which suits your space
The Sombrero Rattan Floor Lamp is the quieter choice: natural rattan, a grand silhouette and a soft, dappled glow that ties in with most interiors. It suits neutral living rooms, bedrooms and spaces where you want texture rather than colour.
The Portofino Rattan Floor Lamp is the extrovert: a bold pink shade on a leafy green stand, handcrafted from natural rattan. It brings instant mood and personality to a lounge, bedroom or reading nook. Pick it when the lamp itself is part of the decor, not just a light source.
Both come in multiple sizes, so check the dimensions before you commit to a corner. A larger size can dominate a small room; a smaller size can disappear beside a deep sofa.
Exceptions: when not to use a rattan floor lamp
If you need bright, even light for tasks such as sewing or detailed reading, a woven floor lamp alone won't deliver it. Add a dedicated task light instead.
In a very tight room, a floor lamp can crowd the walking path. In that case, choose a smaller size or place it behind a chair rather than in the main traffic route.
Step-by-step rattan floor lamp placement
- Map your main light use: Decide whether the lamp is for ambience, reading or filling a dark corner. Stand in the room at the time of day you use it most and note where the natural light falls. If you need focused light for reading, plan a second task lamp rather than relying on the rattan shade alone.
- Choose the corner or spot: Place the lamp 45–60 cm from the wall, slightly behind and to the side of a sofa or armchair. Avoid centring it in a walking path or directly in front of a window. A common mistake is pushing the lamp flush into a corner, which flattens the dappled effect and can make the shade look cramped.
- Pick the right model for the spot: Use the Sombrero where you want a neutral, sculptural anchor. Choose the Portofino where you want the lamp to be a colourful focal point, such as beside a reading nook or in a plain corner that needs energy. Check the available size options against your ceiling height and furniture scale before ordering.
- Check the switch and cable: Make sure the switch is easy to reach from your seat and that the cable isn't stretched across a walkway. If the cable is too short for your chosen spot, move the lamp closer to a socket rather than using an extension lead across the floor. A lamp you have to climb behind the sofa to switch on will soon stay off.
- Test the glow at night: Turn the lamp on after dark and sit where you normally would. Adjust the distance from the wall until the light feels soft and even, not harsh or patchy. If the light feels too dim for the room, add a second light source rather than moving the lamp into the middle of the floor.
Product facts
- Sombrero Rattan Floor Lamp: Handcrafted from natural rattan and designed to cast soft, dappled light. The neutral texture makes it easy to place in living rooms or bedrooms without clashing with existing decor.
Sombrero Rattan Floor Lamp - Portofino Rattan Floor Lamp: Handcrafted from natural rattan with a bold pink shade and leafy green stand. Its strong colour works best as a deliberate accent, so place it where the lamp is visible rather than tucked behind furniture.
Portofino Rattan Floor Lamp
