Lamp Shades
- Racheal
- Jul 22, 2016
- 2 min read
The lamp shade...it can be modern or fancy traditional, very simple white or patterned fabric. But which is the right shade for you and your lamp? Let's start with some guidelines...
The 2/3rds rule and the 1/2 inch rule. The shade should be close to 2/3rd the height of the lamp base. The width should be at least 1/2 inch wider on each side of the widest part of the base.
Ballard Designs had a great reference tool on their blog:
"Your shade should be about two-thirds the height of your lamp base (give or take an inch). Proportion is the key – too tall and the effect will be top heavy, too short and your lamp will look out of balance. And just like a slip, you never want your harp to show. If your lamp sits on a mantel or close to eye level, this is especially important."
Another simple trick: Square base = square shade and likewise, round base = round shade. These rules work most of the time and give you a great starting place when selecting a new shade.
However, they do not solve all the problems because not every lamp base is shaped round or square. In that case, you should consider the shape of the surface or table it will be sitting on. If it's going to adorn a round table, then a round shade would be the best option. Often, a square or rectangular shade works better on a mantel because it can sit flush with the wall behind.
Now with all that being said...there are a lot of options beyond that! I love the chart below from The Lamp Shade. It shows many of the variances you will find when looking for a lamp shade or if you're trying to identify the type of shade you currently own.
Typically, the more detailed shades are traditional in styling. Most bell shades or shades with pleats, cut/inverted corners, scallops, etc. will look best on a more formal or traditional lamp. While most drum shades, cylinders, some empire and shades with straight, clean edges will be seen in modern, transitional and contemporary rooms. If you happen to be very eclectic, the world is your shade! Just mix and match as you please.
These lamps from Safavieh show the base/shade similarity.
Round base=round shade and square base=square shade.
When all else fails, the drum shade is a very popular look and can work on almost any base.
Safavieh
ZGallerie
Worlds Away
Ballard Designs
Wayfair
There is so much more that could be discussed on this one topic, but I'll save some of it for another post. I hope these rules can get you started the next time you are searching for the perfect lamp shade.
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