Lamp Shades

How to Choose the Right Lamp Shades

Getting the right lamp shades and lamps for your room is important because lighting plays such a big role in the look and feel of a room. It affects the whole ambience. The right lamp shade can enhance the whole picture and feeling you are trying to create, whereas one which clashes in any way can quickly ruin your room scheme and undo any of the great design decisions you have made with window treatments, furniture and floor coverings.

No need for bare bulbs

No need for bare bulbs

Color

Many people automatically choose white or cream colored lamp shades as they believe that this is a “safe” choice (and sometimes because there is not much else available in their local store). However white and off-white can look a little stark and are only right in an all-pale or minimalist room. Most rooms look best with a little warmth and color in decoration and you need to continue this through to your shades by choosing an equally rich color tone. If you shop online you will find just the right color of lamp shade to suit your room.

Size

The interior design rule of thumb for selecting the size of lamp shades is that the shade should be no larger than a third of the size of the lamp base height and ideally should just cover the lighting elements or hardware of the lamp. You want the bulb to be covered but not the base. The lampshades that most people buy are too large for the base. Don’t buy all your lamp shades the same size thinking that they should match – unless you have matching bases!

When measuring you don’t need to include decorative elements such as tassels – just the solid part of the shade.

For a normal table lamp the diameter of the base of the lampshade should be within two inches of the height of the lamp measured from the bottom of the light bulb fitting to the base.

For safety reasons make sure that the fabric of the lamp shade will clear the bulb with plenty of space – the higher the wattage of the bulb the more clearance is required between the bulb and the shade. If you’re worried about a shade you’ve chosen check that the part of the shade nearest the bulb does not get hot within 5 minutes of switching on the light.

Shape and style

The shape of the shade should be in keeping with the lampbase. A plain simple base lends itself to a simple shape whereas a fancy antique fitting deserves a more elaborate shade and an Asian style lamp goes well with a hexagonal shaped shade.

If your decor has a particular theme such as a particular historical period or designer style then choose lamp shades which suit that. You can get help by looking at pictures of whole room schemes which are in a similar theme including the lighting and lamp shades used. You can find these easily online.

Also consider where you lamp is going to be in relation to its surroundings. Some lamp shades mean that the lamp could not sit close to the wall or surrounding furniture.

What if you can’t find the right shade?

There are thousands of lamp shades to buy online but if all else fails you can buy custom shades made up in the exact size, color, shape, style and fabric you require.

Stylish Square Lamp Shades

Square lamp shades are those which have straight sides and a square gap at both the top and the bottom of the lamp shade.

Types of Square Lamp Shade

In one type of square lamp shade the square opening at the top is smaller than the square at the bottom so that the sides of the lamp shade slope towards the top, like a square-based pyramid with the top cut off. In another type the two gaps are identical and the lamp shade is more like a box, which may be completely square in three dimensions like a cube or more elongated in one dimension – a rectangular cuboid shape.

Traditional Lamp Shades

You will often find the first type of square lamp shade for sale separately, in many different colors, so that you can add a square lamp shade to a lamp base you already own. This cut off pyramid shape is more traditional in nature and would look good with a classic lamp base in a traditional room setting. These lamp shades are generally made with frames covered in silk, stiffened cotton or rayon.

Contemporary Lamp Shades

The cube or cuboid type square lamp shades are usually sold together with a matching lamp base. This means that you cannot go wrong with your choice of square lamp shades for table lamps you own but it does mean that you are buying a whole lamp and not just a shade. These lamps are generally contemporary in nature and give a modern look to your room. The shades are usually made of glass or cotton but you will also find a few lamps with square paper lamp shades. Be careful when fitting these as it is easy to put your fingers right through them.

Here are a few examples of both types of square lamp shades to whet your appetite about the kinds of shades and lamps you can buy. If there is nothing here to your liking you will find many more HERE, many at a discount and with free shipping.

Possini Euro Design On the Square Accent Table Lamp (Click Image for Details)

Possini Euro Design On the Square Accent Table Lamp (Click Image for Details)

 

I fell in love with this Accent table lamp with square lamp shades in glass as soon as I saw it. It is like having a piece of modern sculpture on your table while providing functional lighting at night too. The three glass lamp shades take 40 watt bulbs and are 6″ X 6″ X 3″ and the whole lamp is two feet high. It is constructed of metal and has a metallic finish. Click here for further details.

Conde Square Wide Bronze Finish Ceiling Fixture (Click Image for Details)

Conde Square Wide Bronze Finish Ceiling Fixture (Click Image for Details)

 

Modern Florida bronze finish ceiling light fixture with small square lamp shades in frosted glass. Adds character to a ceiling in a contemporary home with the architectural nature of the frame and perfect symmetry of the lighting. Click here for more information.

 

 

The rectangular lamp shade on this lamp tops a contemporary base made of staggered open blocks made from polyresin. Great for a contemporary room setting. 22″ high. Uses a 150 watt bulb to give good lighting. Click here for details.

 
Exotic Retreat Table Lamp - Espresso (Click Image for Details)

Exotic Retreat Table Lamp - Espresso (Click Image for Details)
Champagne Square Clip Shade (Click Image for Details)

Champagne Square Clip Shade (Click Image for Details)

 

Small square chandelier lamp shade in champagne from Unique Design Lighting. This is a more traditional style square lamp shade. 5″ X 5″ X 4.2″ Click here for details.

 

 

Another traditional square style, this fabric lamp shade is part of the Jessica Breedlove Tiny Turtles collection for the nursery. The shade will fit any standard infant table lamp base. Click here for details.

 
Jessica Breedlove Tiny Turtles Lamp Shade, Pink/Purple Square Lamp Shade (Click Image for Details)

Jessica Breedlove Tiny Turtles Lamp Shade, Pink/Purple Square Lamp Shade (Click Image for Details)
Shelf Lamp with Natural Square Shade (Click Image for Details)

Shelf Lamp with Natural Square Shade (Click Image for Details)

 

The base of the table lamp is made from black wood while the square shade is made from fabric. This square shade lamp has a pull chain operation.Also available as a floor lamp and with red square lamp shade. c 22″ high and 7.75″ square. Click here to learn more.

 

Exquisite Black Lamp Shade Collection

There’s something about a black lamp shade that adds a touch of sophistication to a room especially one with contemporary decor.

If you have a room where a black lamp shade would be just perfect, take a look at these beautiful lamp shades and bases we have found.

Sometimes a lamp is not just lighting, it’s a work of art and can be a focal point as well as an integral part of your whole room decoration.

With a beautiful lamp base a a plain black lamp shade can often be the very best way to show it off as you will see from some of these examples.

Here are just a few of those beautiful lamp shades

Unusual ceramic base and black shade

 

This beautiful contemporary lamp has a black ceramic base and matching fabric shade in black. It is just over 30″ tall and would make a great addition to the right contemporary decor. Available for purchase (on special offer just now) here.

 
Contemporary black and chrome table lamp

 

Contemporary black and chrome Elemis table lamp by Mary-Kate and Ashley. Rich and elegant for a modern interior. The chrome smooth “rocks” of the base reflect the tranquil beauty of nature and go wonderfully well with the black faux suede lamp shade. The height of the lamp is 23″ (width 14″). Click Here for more details.

 

 

This unusual black, white and pink lampshade is JoJo Designs and is designed to go with a range of children’s bedding and bedroom accessories such as hampers, lamps and wall decor although you could use it where you like.
The lamp shade dimensions are 4 in x 7 in x 10 in. See the lamp shade and more details about the other items here.

 

 black, white and pink unusual shade by JoJo
George Kovacs elegant lamp with black shade

 

This exclusive Chrome Circle table lamp with black shade is by George Kovacs would add the height of sophistication to a contemporary interior. I love the eye-catching chrome base on this lamp and the round black shade sets it off perfectly. The lamp is 25″ high and features a three-way switch to allow you to modify the light output. For details of how you can get your hands on this beauty (and also see other lamps by George Kovacs equally as beautiful Click Here.

 

 

This Funky Black and White Zebra Lamp Shade is also by JoJo Designs and is designed to go with a coordinated range of bedding and accessories with the zebra theme for a fun look. The lamp shade dimensions are 4x7x10 in. You can see the other items and get details of the lamp shade here.

 

 JoJo black and white zebra design lamp shade
black pendant lamp shade

 

This Uttermost Alita Metal large hanging shade with a rust black finish is so unusual I had to include it. This contemporary hanging shade is made of woven intertwining strips of metal and seems more like a sculpture in a way than a pendant lamp shade. It is a bit pricey but by choosing unusual details like this you can set your home apart from the crowd. 22″ wide 14″ high. Get all the details here.

 
keep looking »