Picking a lampshade sounds simple enough. But your task becomes much more difficult as soon as you discover the huge range of lampshades available in all colours, shapes, and sizes. How do you choose a lampshade that doesn’t clash with your furniture or overpower your room? What do you select for a tiny bedroom or a palatial dining room?
Here’s our guide to getting it right the first time and picking the ideal luxury lampshade for your home.
1. Size Your Lampshade Correctly
If you have a base, such as for a table lamp or a floor lamp, you need to match the shade to the size of the base. Get the proportions wrong and your light looks odd. Match the sizes and you end up with a pleasing addition to the room. For stylish table lamps, the shade should be around three-quarters of the base height. The width of the base of the lampshade should be about the same as the overall height of the lamp. It’s often a good idea to go for the larger shade if you are debating two options. Consider how many other objects are on the table so you don’t clutter your surface space.
Floor lamps can handle a larger shade, usually with a base at the bottom of 45cm and above. However, if you have a small room, choose small lampshades or even half-lampshades, so you don’t waste space by having a shade protruding too far into a tight area.
2. Decide on Your Material
Lampshades come in all kinds of materials like vinyl and other plastics, but for luxury lampshades, you must look for a stunning fabric like silk, velvet, or linen. Alternatively, choose thick paper for a more versatile look. Silk lampshades add an all-important luxury touch to your space. This fabric works with a classic-style base and you can find the perfect shade to match your décor. Cotton is another option that provides an elegant ambience. Paper or parchment can be printed in block colours, marbled, or decorated with images. Choose a flamboyant design to make a statement in your space or go muted for subtle elegance.
3. Choose Your Shade Shape
The empire or the straight empire is the most recognised lamp shape in modern and historic homes. This shape looks like a cone with the spike at the top cut off. The empire shape is classic and benefits from longevity. It is also available in a myriad of colours and sizes, fabrics, and finishes. The square lampshade is like the empire but it has a square shape at the base. The drum lamp provides a more contemporary style.
Look at the cohesion between the shade and the base when choosing your style. Match the shapes of base and shade when you want a streamlined look. Or create a bold statement with a square base and a round shade, for example. Consider a square lampshade if you lack space. You can push this shape right up to the wall, avoiding a lamp sticking out into the room.
