Choosing Lamp Shades
Choosing a lampshade sounds simple. It isn’t. And after getting it wrong more than once, I’ve learnt what actually works. If you’re wondering how to choose the right lampshade size, shape or style, here’s what actually works in a real home.
I thought choosing a lampshade for my new tenancy was going to be a breeze. But no, far from it! I mean, I could opt for the £2 paper shade from Ikea and be done, but we all know that we can do better than that.
But where do you start? Looking in magazines at homes we can only dream of living in? Doom scrolling on Pinterest, only to find the one you love is from the US? Visit the major furniture retailers where you are overwhelmed with styles and large price tags? These are all great for ideas and can help you think about the various options and looks that are current. But don’t help you make choices that are right for your home.
How To Choose Lampshades
- Consider shade shape and light direction, as this can have a big impact on the mood lighting in a room:
- Understanding the impact the fabric can have on lighting is another factor to consider – and something I recently learnt about when trialling the shades in my new apartment. Here are a few things I learned:
- Linen = soft, diffused light
- Cotton = clean and bright
- Metal = directional, more dramatic, casts bold shadows
- Rattan = textured shadows
- Sit in one room and look out to the hall / into the next room – is there synergy? Or can you see lots of shades and lots of styles? Here are a few ideas to help improve the look across the different spaces:
- Choosing openwork shades different textures/finishes
- Choosing tonal colours
- Having a print in one room, and a plain one with one of the colours from the pattern in the next
- You don’t have to be “matchy matchy” in any one room for shades or styles, let’s leave that in the 90s – but they should work cohesively – so an industrial look could use different metals, or animal print could be different colours. Remember that shades on the ceiling and any side lights should work together and not against each other.
Common Lampshade Mistakes
- Not all fixings are the same – I failed on my first attempt when the shade fixing was too low for the ceiling light with no pendant -anyone need a rattan lampshade?
- The colour and power of the bulb is important – don’t have different colours in the same room, warm is cosier than cool (clue is in their names). Use the lumens to help create the right mood in a room and support in the right use of the light source – low lumens are calm and high lumens are functional. Always check the warning labels on shades for the max power of the bulb that should be used with it – we don’t want any fires!
- It doesn’t need to be expensive! I found an £8 shade in B&M Bargains that was almost identical to the £20 shade in B&Q, which I thought was a steal compared to the £80 shade I’d seen in a magazine. So shop around, use Google image search, look on eBay & Vinted. You never know what bargains you may land!
- Lighting isn’t just from the ceiling – think about how you layer in other lighting sources – table and floor lamps are great for ensuring there is light for tasks – so think about where you read or eat for example and add lighting there. Candles add ambience and help brighten darker spaces that don’t warrant a light.
What Size Lampshade
Do I Need?
Size matters – big isn’t always best. So what size of lampshade should I choose? Answer, they should echo the room sizes. Don’t overwhelm small rooms with huge shades, and likewise large rooms don’t shine at their brightest with tiny lights. As a guide for most standard modern homes smaller shades would work best in halls and bathrooms, larger in living spaces and bedrooms. If you have high ceilings be sure to ramp up the sizing and be bolder.
The style of the bulb matters – funky visible looks are on trend. I switched out some very boring standard bulbs for some incandescent ones – slightly shorter lifespan but very aesthetically pleasing – LED style are available in some brands if that’s a preference. If you are searching online look for “retro bulbs” or “Decorative Filament Bulbs” – just watch the size and style of the fixing!
Sometimes we need to be a bit bold in our choices and be prepared to go out of our comfort zone to try something unexpected, and my niece was keen for me to go with a bold pink shade with a leopard print interior (I reckon it started as a joke) – as much as these are 2 of my favourite things in life I wasn’t convinced to start with – but she absolutely nailed it! It’s a talking point in the room for sure! It allows me to layer in my personality and add another layer of interest to an otherwise bland tenancy property. Reckon I may have found myself a wee apprentice!
So Remember:
Start with function
Get the size right
Keep it cohesive in the room
Don’t be afraid to add personality
On that note, I’m off to find a new dining room table – hoping that will be easier!
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