How to choose a lampshade: the ultimate guide

Good lighting is all about layering different elements to create the right feel in every space, and that doesn’t only apply to the type of lights themselves—how you choose a lampshade to top each piece also has an impact. The perfect lamp and lampshade combination can transform a forgotten corner into a cozy nook or an entryway into a work of art, but finding the pieces that hit the right balance isn’t always simple. While sometimes you get lucky and, as if by magic your ideal lamp and lampshade duo appear to you, more often than not the quest for the ideal shade is a little more complex. It’s also not one to be taken lightly. Knowing what size, style, shape, and color lampshade is best to choose, to suit both your lamp base and scheme, is key. Not sure where to start? Our tips—along with a few from Country Life’s Giles Kime—should help you get it right every time.

Getting the shade shape right

Before you get into color, pattern, material, or even size, it helps to identify what shape lampshade will best suit your lamp base. As the base upon which all the other elements rely, this seems like a smart place to start.

In general, what’s considered most esthetically pleasing when it comes to matching lamps and shades? Kime tells us to look at the shape of the base, then seek a shade with a similar contour. “Mirror the shape of the lamp in your lampshade,” he says. “Bottle and urn-shaped lamps tend to work well with tapered shades, and square lamps with straight-sided shades. Column lamps go well with either.”

However, it all comes down to personal preference; if you’re less concerned with rules and formality,  achieve an eclectic finish by mixing and matching a geometric lamp and curved lampshade, for instance. Do bear in mind that if something doesn’t seem quite right visually, it might be because a cohesive look is more satisfying to the eye.

There are a range of lampshade shapes to consider, each with their own personality (of sorts). Here’s how to identify, and make the best of, the most prevalent styles.

How to choose your lampshade material

Once you’ve selected your shape, it’s time to think about the material or fabric that your lampshade is made from. Most lampshades designs are made from linen, cotton, or card—if you’re likely to update your lampshades seasonally, a simple design crafted from one of these materials would be a good choice. For a more luxurious and long-lasting look, silk shades are the epitome of elegance and add an extra tactile layer to a decorating scheme.

If you’re struggling to decide on the finish, again consider what kind of atmosphere you want to create in the room where the lamp will be placed.

●  To instantly lighten a room, making it feel more spacious, consider card lampshades—their clean façade is particularly effective when crafted in a white hue.

●  To achieve a bold look or a striking statement with a lamp, black-out linen lampshades are perfect—a simple, block-colored lampshade will always create a contemporary effect.

●  For traditional, ‘French cottage’ appeal, pleated fabric shades are ideal, as they lend a little whimsy to a more classic scheme.

The style and material of the lamp base itself can also influence the fabric used for the lampshade; a base with a smooth finish might call for contrast—meaning a lampshade with lots of texture and detail—while pairing a lamp and lampshade with a similar feel will unify the two elements.

Choosing color or pattern for a lampshade

Neutral or colorful? Plain or patterned? When considering lampshade finish, these are the questions many of us will ask. Typically, each option has its pros and cons. As well as complementing pretty much any and every decorating scheme, plain shades are great if you have a very dynamic lamp and are worried about it being overshadowed by a showy shade. On the other hand, plain designs can be used to create a unique focal point—especially if paired with stand-alone floor lamps or a patterned lamp base. For the latter, keep prints simple and pick a thread of color that unites the lamp and shade designs.

“If you opt for a colorful patterned lampshade, ensure that the dominant color is echoed somewhere else in the scheme, such as on cushions, throws, curtains or rugs,” advises Kime. Also keep in mind that pattern isn’t simply about color; textured designs can create a more subtle effect that still makes a statement.

When it comes to color, it’s key to consider what you want to achieve with your lighting. If esthetics are your sole concern, you have much more freedom to play with darker hues. However, if you’re creating a reading corner, where ambient light is a priority, direct your attention towards a soft-colored shade as more light will filter through it.

The color of your lampshade can also be altered (or switched) to reflect the time of year; during spring and summer, you could opt for pale, neutral hues, such as off-white and cream, then switch to darker colors when fall arrives to achieve a warmer, more cocooning effect.

Sizing up your lampshade options

If there’s a situation when you could be sure that size really does matter, it’s when choosing a lampshade. Too small and you have yourself an unfortunate bottom-heavy situation, too big and you really are throwing shade. Kime’s advice is to “go for the largest shade that the space will allow”, even if your lamp is in-between lampshade sizes. This is because the larger the shade, the more light is distributed. Even in smaller rooms oversized designs will (counter to expectations) create the illusion of space. Below are some essential principles to follow when choosing the right lampshade size, but for an in-depth lesson have a look at our guide on how to measure a lampshade. In the meantime, it’s useful to have a tape measure on hand.

Lampshades for table lamps

There are three golden rules to remember when it comes to choosing a lampshade for table lamps:

1.    The width of the lampshade should be equal to the height of the lamp base.

2.    The height of the lampshade should be two thirds of the height of the lamp base.

3.    The lampshade should be wider than the widest part of the lamp base.

Lampshades for floor lamps

To determine what lampshade size you need for your floor lamp, measure the height of the lamp base from the bottom to the top of the bulb rod, then divide by four—this measurement is the ideal approximate height for the lampshade. Don’t forget to take into account how much room you have around your shade—you can always go a size down if it’s too close to other pieces of furniture—and also trust your eye.

Bear in mind that for both table and floor lamps, the perfect shade should hide the fittings underneath it, without encroaching upon the lamp base itself.

Now you’re armed with all the technical essentials, you can happily alight on your lampshade-selecting journey.  If you need a little help visualizing your selection, our Lamp & Shade Matchmaker allows you to choose one of our lamp bases or shades,  then recommends a plethora of options that will go with it.