Lamp Shades

Glass Lamp Shades

Why Use Glass lamp Shades?

Glass lamp shades are some of the most elegant lamp shades you can find and they have a beauty rarely surpassed by fabric shades. It is the nature of glass which gives them that edge as it can be made into wonderful shapes, stained with attractive colors giving it an opaque look (while still allowing the light to shine through) and it can even be cut into small colored shapes and crafted into a reproduction Tiffany style lamp shade which is a work of art in itself.

Yet glass shades are not all copies of the kind of antique glass lamp shapes you pay a fortune for at auction, you can also buy contemporary glass lamp shades and light fittings which would look just right in a modern loft apartment. In fact, these modern glass creations will often be the focal point in a minimalist scheme.

Glass Lamp with Crackle Lamp Shade (Click Image for Details)

Glass Lamp with Crackle Lamp Shade (Click Image for Details)

Replacement Glass Lamp Shades

Although they are beautiful, glass shades are unfortunately pretty easy to break so you do need to take care with your shade. While they are not so fragile that you need to treat them with kid gloves, they will probably crack or shatter if you knock them over or drop them. Then you will be faced with looking for replacement glass lamp shades which is not always an easy task unless the manufacturer is still making the same kind. You may be lucky however and find a similar glass lamp shade in your local store. Take your base if possible (easier with a table lamp than a floor lamp) when you look around and see if you can find something that will fit your lamp and suit the style. At the very least take notes of the fitting such as dimensions and so on so that the store assistant can help you.

How to Choose a Glass Lamp Shade

The style of shade you should choose very much depends on the effect you want to achieve. If you are going for a period or antique look then frosted glass lamp shades in a classic shape (such as you find on an oil lamp) will be just right. If you have a romantic style bedroom then a flower shaped shade with fluted edges in cranberry glass might be just the thing. And if you have a floor lamp look at torchiere glass lamp shades which funnel the light upwards towards the ceiling (torchiere comes from the French word for torch) and will cast a wash of light over your room. If your traditional style living room need a focal point then you might like to look at stained glass lamp shades which will add a touch of beauty to your room. Finally for a contemporary room look at the many chrome and glass light fittings which you will find in interior design and specialist upmarket lighting stores as well as cheap and cheerful furniture stores specializing in the latest designs such as IKEA.