Lamp Shades

Where to Buy Lamp Shades

You can purchase a selection of lamp shades in local stores but buying lamp shades online is a great idea for many reasons.

1. You Get a Fantastic Selection of Lamp Shades to Choose From

You are unlikely to find exactly the right lampshades in your local store which is only able to carry a limited selection of colors, styles and sizes. Online you can find any amount of table, floor, ceiling and wall lamps and suitable shades of every style and design imaginable at the click of a button.

2. Great Convenience

You can browse many online stores and find exactly the lamp shade you are looking for in a few minutes without the inconvenience (and expense) of getting to a store miles from your home. No waiting and no lines! Secure Ordering and hassle-free returns make the whole process of buying lighting online quick and easy. And the online stores never close – you can shop whenever you feel like it!

3. Lower Prices

Online stores are able to offer lamp shades at lower prices because the do not have the high expenses and overheads associated with running a store. Also you can easily compare prices on similar lamp shades from the comfort of your own home and get the benefits of shopping around without the hassle. Bookmark any lampshade you like the look of as you browse and then go back and make your selection quickly and easily.

4. Plenty of Advice

Instead of getting a bored shop assistant you get sites (like this one :) ) which offer sound advice on how to choose the best lamp shades to suit your decor, your furniture and your lamps.

5. No Pressure

You can make up your mind without some sales person on commission breathing down your neck. Think about your purchase as long as you like and return to look at the items you choose as much as you want without having to make a hasty decision (or having to make yet another trip to the store). You can even order a catalog from some online stores so that you can browse at your leisure.

6. Free Shipping

Many stores offer free shipping if your order is a reasonable size. Get your lamp shades delivered to your door entirely free of charge!

Designer Lamp Shade

Designer Lamp Shade

7. Unique Designs

You’ll find designer lamp shades online which you would never find in a million years in your local area. These unique items will lift your whole decor to a new level. Choose something a little different and be the envy of your friends!

8. Quickly Find What You are Looking For

Most sites have great search facilities so you can quickly locate the type of lamp shades you are interested in and focus in on the ones which meet your requirements.

9. Money Back Guarantees

Online stores offer these to take the risk out of your purchase (and sometimes because it is a legal requirement). Local stores may offer a credit voucher if they will take back the merchandise at all.

10. Extra Services

Some online stores will create custom lamp shades for you which exactly match your requirements. This is a great service when you can’t find exactly the lamp shades you are looking for.

Choosing the Best Nursery Lamp Shades

When you plan a beautiful nursery for your baby don’t forget to think about lamp shades and lighting. So often they are an after-thought but lighting makes or breaks a room decor like nothing else and there are some important practical and safety considerations too for your baby.

Most essential of all is a dimmer switch for the main light in the room or the ability to create gentle pools of light with table lamps and suitable lampshades. You don’t want your baby to be jolted awake, frightened or unable to get to sleep due to harsh lighting.

Lamps need to be carefully positioned. Sooner than you expect your tiny baby will be mobile and it’s important for trailing flexes to be hidden and for lamps to be positioned safely away from the edges of tables and shelves so that they can’t be pulled over on top of your baby.

A specially designed nursery lamp is ideal. These usually have a hidden bulb and will generally be cool to the touch to avoid burning an inquisitive toddler.

If you prefer you can get wall lights with shades in great shapes such as this seahorse-shaped lampshade. Position them well away from the cot or cribso that the child can’t grab the light.

Fun lamp for baby's room

Fun lamp for baby's room

Floor lamps are less suitable for a baby room or for a toddler as children can easily pull these over on top of them and some can be quite heavy. Of course you want to avoid using breakable glass shades in the room too.

A lamp with a low watt bulb is great to act as a night light or you can even buy special nightlight lamps too in various toddler friendly shapes – scaring those night-time monsters away.

As far as lamp shade and lighting styles are concerned you can let your imagination run wild and there are many adorable nursery lamp shades and lamps available which will fit the look of the room you are trying to create. You will find them in all shapes and colors as well as brightly patterned fabric such as gingham, and lamps with wooden cut out shapes such as lambs, chicks and ducks, fairies, dinosaurs, trains and aeroplanes.

If you find nothing suitable (although I doubt it if you shop around a little online) and you have the patience and a steady hand you can stencil a plain shade to match a motif from another item of the decor such as a shape from your wallpaper border or chosen nursery bedding.

If craft is not your passion and you would like matching items, look for a range of bedding with a design which has matching accessories including lamps and lamp shades.

Lamp Shades : Interior Design Tips

Welcome to Lamp Shades Central. This is a resource for those looking for advice and information on all kinds of lamp shades and especially for those who have an interest in making the most of their home decor using the effect of lighting.

Interior design is a complex subject but when it comes to lamp shades there are just a few principles to consider. (See our article on how to choose lamp shades if you want the low-down on selection).

However just because a few simple principles are involved, don’t neglect your lighting when you are designing a room.

Lighting is key to how the room will look and feel as well as how comfortable it is to carry out various tasks or activities.

Two bedside lamps with shades

Two bedside lamps with shades

It makes sense that each type of room is different when it comes to lighting – kitchen or bathroom lighting needs to be very different from lighting a study or family room. Although bedrooms may need the same type of lighting you probably don’t want to select the same lamp shade for each room. You need these to match the bases of the lamps you have as well as the decor, color scheme or theme of the individual room.

Whatever lighting you choose, a bare bulb is not a good look whether on your table, in a floor lamp or hanging from the ceiling.

If you want to spend a bit of time sourcing just the right lampshades then a temporary solution may be needed. Instead of spending a few weeks or months without lamp shades, purchase a few simple inexpensive fabric lamp shades to cover your bare bulbs. Just don’t let your cheap temporary solution be a permanent fixture. Make sure you do take the time to select replacement lamp shades which will enhance your rooms as soon as possible.

You are probably also looking to purchase a lampshade or two once you have an idea of what you want to buy. We don’t sell lamp shades – the advice here is independent – but you will find plenty of sites to be able to purchase lamp shades of all types whether contemporary, Chinese or Victorian, glass chandelier or silk bell shape to suit your decor and furniture.

When you are ready to make your choice you may want to browse online stores and see what is in stock and maybe order a catalog or two. You’ll find plenty of choice so you are very likely to find exactly what you need online (and even if you don’t you can use the custom option offered by a number of companies).