How to Choose the Right Lamp Shade for Every Room

A lamp shade does far more than hide a bulb. It shapes the light, sets the mood and ties a room together. Here is how to pick one that looks right and works well.

Start with size and proportion

As a rule of thumb, the shade should be about two-thirds the height of the lamp base and roughly twice as wide as the base at its widest point. The bottom of the shade should hide the bulb fitting when you are seated nearby.

Pick the shape for the base

• Drum shades suit modern, straight-sided bases.
• Empire shades flatter traditional, curved bases.
• Cone and bell shades direct more light downward – great for reading.

Choose the material for the mood

Linen and cotton give a soft, even glow. Rattan, bamboo and jute cast beautiful patterned shadows. Printed fabric adds colour even when the lamp is off.

The right shade turns a lamp into a feature – the wrong one makes even a beautiful base look out of place.