Choosing a lamp shade might seem like a relatively simple task, but in truth, there are several things to consider. The wrong shade can not only turn your new designer table lamp into an eyesore; it can also throw off a room’s entire lighting scheme. Below are some things to consider that will help you select just the right shade to compliment your lamp and enhance the overall lighting in your space.

Shape – This is probably the easiest rule to remember when shopping for a lamp shade: match the shape of the shade to the shape of the lamp base. A rounded base, for instance, should get a round shade, while a square or rectangular base should get a square shade. Bases with a combination of curves and angles can happily go either way.

Proportion – More important to shape is the size and proportion of the shade you choose. A lamp shade should measure about one- to two-thirds the height of the base, and two times the width. It should be tall enough to cover all of the lighting elements and hardware without covering up any of the base, and the widest part of the lamp shade should be about a half-inch wider in diameter than the widest part of the base. Read the rest of this entry »

We’ve put together a comprehensive lamp shade buyers guide that covers all the basic styles, shapes and accessories to help you choose the right shade for your lamp. Over the next few months we look forward to expanding our selection of lampshades as they’ve been a most asked for item throughout the year.

Choosing the best shades for your lamps is easy with a little knowledge. Vocabulary first – you and your lighting professional can communicate better once you’re speaking the same language… Continue reading “Choosing the Right Lamp Shade to Enhance Your Lamps”.