Table Lamp Shades

Replacing table lamp shades is an easy way to give your room a lift. For a small outlay it makes a huge difference to the appearance of your bedroom, hallway, dining or living room. We’ve a huge range to choose from to give your table lamp a new lease of life with a shade.

From traditional to ultra-modern and through every colour from cream to deep reds and even black, whatever your decor we have a lamp shade that will suit. In order to ensure that your choice is appropriate, there are a few things that you need to look out for when selecting a lamp shade to suit a particular table lamp.

Apart from illuminating the chosen space, the shade colour has to either fit or contrast with the whole room. If the lamp is to be a focal point then consider a bold colour that will stand out and draw the eye. If it is part of the overall design plan, then a complementing or neutral colour is probably more appropriate.

Lamp Shades For Table Lighting

Always look at the base and shade as one item and pair the two accordingly. The height and shape of the base will guide you as to the best shape and size. Is the base short and broad or tall and spindly? It is plain or decorative? Is it fitted with a slide switch, pull chain or is it switched on and off from the socket?

There are some very loose rules of thumb when selecting shade shapes and sizes:

• The shade height should equal around 75% of the base height.
• The width of the shade should be around the same as the base height up to the lamp holder.
• The shade should always be wider than the fitted base.
• The shade should be low enough to cover the lamp holder.
• The shade should not be so low that it impedes access to any switch.
• If you are considering two slightly different sized shades for your table lamp, it’s usually better to select the slightly larger one.
• Select a shape that matches the base, square for square, drum for circular for example.

Circular drum and rounded edge table lamp shades are more popular, but flat sided shades have the advantage that they can be positioned against a wall. This can be very useful where space is at a premium in a small alcove or narrow hallway for example. There are so many options that you can always find something to complement and enhance the look of your room.

Finally, how much light do you need? If you are looking for ambient light, or you want to use the table lamp for reading, then go for a translucent shade fitted to a tall base. If you are looking for accent lighting, with pools of light illuminating the ceiling and bouncing back into the room, then a more opaque lamp shade will be just the job.

Please have a look at our article entitled how to look after soft fabric shades that will provide you with information on how you can keep your lamp shade looking as good as new.