All About Lampshades

Lampshades are very important. It may seem silly, but try finding the right one when you need it and you’ll know what I mean. This is definitely one of those times when I say, “Thank God for the Internet.” Instead of dragging myself around town trying to find the hole-in-the-wall, Mom and Pop lampshade shop, I can now order just what I want online. It’s an amazing world.

So, the next time you need a new shade, here’s a list of things to help you choose. Remember, size is the most important issue. If you’re not sure the size will be right, make a sample out of paper or cardboard first.

But don’t stop there. There are all kinds of things you can do to pimp up a shade. You can add crystals and feathers, add all kinds of trim. There are smocked shades and pleated shades. The sky is the limit.

I have yet to find a true artist making shades either online or here in Detroit, so here are two sites that do custom work. The first is Alluminare. They have a great fabric selection and lots of trims. Their site is also well organized. The second is The Lampshade Shop. I like their craft paper shades and they have some nice shapes, too.

How To Choose A Shade:

1. Match the Base РThink Size, Shape, Style, Color. Larger lamp bases require larger shades. Square bases may look better with a square shade. Victorian bases need a Victorian shade, etc. Your goal is to match to “mood” of the base.
2. Compliment the Base – A shade should make the base look better without competing with it for attention. Decide whether the lamp base or the shade will be the focus. If your base is really unique, choose a simple shade to draw attention to the special features of the lamp.
3. Hide the Switch – Your shade should just barely cover the switch. Try different sized harps or add a shade riser to fine-tune your shade fit.
4. Sizing Rules of Thumb – Shade height should be about 3/4 the height of the base. The bottom of the shade should be wider than the widest part of the base. The shade width should approximately equal the height from bottom of the base to the socket.
5. Consider the Use – Reading lamps need a wider shade to provide plenty of light.
6. Consider the Room – What is the color and style of your room? Obviously, if your room is contemporary, you want a shade that will compliment its surroundings.
7. Consider the Bulb – Be sure you have a 3 inch separation from bulb to shade, especially for higher wattage bulbs. Be sure the top opening is wide enough to vent the heat. Compact Fluorescent bulbs are great for most lamps because they burn cooler, but you may need a larger harp since CFL’s are taller than standard light bulbs.

I hope this is helpful. Do you know of a great shade shop or shade maker? Please share the wealth.