Decorating
Designer Tricks to Pick the Perfect Lampshade
Armed with this information, you'll no longer be in the dark when it comes to selecting the right lampshade for every style and space
So you’ve picked out a beautiful new table lamp for your home. But how much thought did you give to the shade? The right lampshade can transform a humdrum base into something exquisite, while the wrong shade can make even the most stunning lamp look badly proportioned or inappropriate for the room, or just make it awkward to use.
The following tips will help you choose the shade that’s right for your lamp and your setting.
The following tips will help you choose the shade that’s right for your lamp and your setting.
Shape
If the base is rounded, it will look best with a cylindrical shade.
If the base is rounded, it will look best with a cylindrical shade.
In general, however, it's best to choose a shade that reflects the shape of the base and the shape of the table it's sitting on.
Width
The widest part of the shade should be at least half an inch wider on each side than the widest point of the base.
The widest part of the shade should be at least half an inch wider on each side than the widest point of the base.
Consider the location of the lamp. You don't want to crash into the shade every time you get in or out of bed, for example. Make sure the shade doesn't extend beyond the tabletop.
The same holds true for a lamp on a hall table: don’t let it stick out so far that you bang into it when you walk by.
(And yes, this lamp has a round base and a squarish shade. But the exception makes sense here, because the shade can sit flush against the wall, minimising collisions in a high-traffic area.)
(And yes, this lamp has a round base and a squarish shade. But the exception makes sense here, because the shade can sit flush against the wall, minimising collisions in a high-traffic area.)
Translucency
If you need the lamp to read by or to shed ambient light, go with a translucent shade.
If you need the lamp to read by or to shed ambient light, go with a translucent shade.
If you're using the lamp only as an accent light and don't need it to illuminate the room or to shed light on a task, an opaque shade can be a good choice.
Pleating
Pleated lampshades tend to look more traditional; they are most appropriate in rooms furnished with antiques or that have a lot of pattern and detail.
If the room is contemporary, go with a non-pleated shade. If you have a contemporary room and really want to use a pleated lampshade, try a box pleat – its geometric design tends to look fresher and more modern than its conventional counterpart.
Pleated lampshades tend to look more traditional; they are most appropriate in rooms furnished with antiques or that have a lot of pattern and detail.
If the room is contemporary, go with a non-pleated shade. If you have a contemporary room and really want to use a pleated lampshade, try a box pleat – its geometric design tends to look fresher and more modern than its conventional counterpart.
As a rule of thumb, choose a shade that’s two-thirds the height of the base. That proportion assures that the lamp won’t look top or bottom heavy.
You should also make sure the shade doesn’t expose any of the hardware underneath, such as the harp (the wire frame around the lightbulb).