Lamp Shades

What Are Lamp Shades

One of the great things about lamps is that they can be easily updated and refreshed. The base can remain the same and still look as new with different bulbs and light shades.

Choosing the perfect shade requires some skill. Besides fitting a particular taste, it's style should complement the setting and also serve a function or two. The rule of thumb: a lamp shade should not be higher than two-thirds of its base, while the shade's width needs to be equal to it.

Benefits of Light Shades

Without lamp shades, the environments would be quite uncomfortable - having bare bulbs' light striking the eyes directly from everywhere. But light shades do more than just protecting the eye from directly seeing the bulb. They conduct the light in desired directions, maintain some shade to add more dimension to space and present a valuable focal feature of an interior. 

Lamp Shade Types

Lamp Shades for Floor Lamps

A typical form of the light shade on a floor lamp used to be an empire-shaped cloth or paper. It diffused enough light to create a pleasant atmosphere, yet allowing it to flow from the top and bottom. This convenient design puts the focus below the shade to allow reading and similar activities. At the same time, some light travels to the ceiling, where it reflects to enhance the ambient dimension.

Contrastingly, a torchiere shade projects most of the light upwards, which is more suited for general and accent lighting. Drum-shaped lamp shades are a versatile, contemporary mid-solution.

Table Lamp Shades

Similarly to floor lamp shades, a table lamp's light is defined and directed by its covering. Depending on the colour and material, a small amount of light can almost always flow through the shade's texture. Still, most light flows downwards or under an angle to cover a large area. Task lamps belong mostly to the table lamps category, due to the specific nature of their bodies and shades. 

A small lampshade provides focused, narrowly illumination, ideal to use as task lighting. It's beneficial as a bedside lampshade, to enable reading without disturbing others around. A desk lamp should have a downward-facing shade, combined with an adjustable neck to provide an ideally focused beam. 

Pendant Lamp Shades

Modern metallic ceiling lamp shades can hang at adjustable height, while their design closed at the top focuses all the light downwards. This shape is convenient for a surface lighting, above a kitchen counter or a dining table. Additionally, it can double as a focused, space-savvy task lighting for a home office. 

Standard Lamp Shade Forms

• Bell Lampshade: Very traditional, Victorian-style shape.
• Empire Lampshade: A classic shape suitable for most bases.
• Hexagon Lampshade: An irregular shape, typical for early-twentieth-century rustic interiors.
• Drum Lampshade: A staple of mid-century modern, fits best with geometrical bases.
• Coolie Lampshade: Versatile, contemporary silhouette.
• Square Lampshade: Fit to modern designs, best matched with a square or a round base.

Lamp Shade Materials and Patterns

Lamp shade's material and transparency depend on its function. Sheer fabric light shades, such as paper, transmit more light, thus present a better choice for reading and adding ambient illumination to a room. Simultaneously, opaque shades of parchment or silk contain the light, directing the beam more vertically, perfect for the surrounding object's highlighting. A softer colour will always pass more light through; thus, an opaque white lamp shade could still provide better illumination than transparent black lamp shades. 

Popular artistic designs, such as wicker lampshades or wooden lampshades, defy the rule and add another dimension to the ambience by creating a hypnotic game of light and shadows. 

A patterned lampshade can revive a tired lamp and add vibrancy to the room. For vintage lampshades, a Tiffany-style or a classic banker glass pendant shade makes a safe, evergreen solution. With modern design and LED lights, creative freedom has no bounds. 

Kids Lamps

Kids lamps can grow together with them with a simple change of shade - a tiger or fish design can easily turn to something else. Supported by a dimmer, a patterned lamp Shade provides a fun and calming nightlight for the little ones. 

Things to Consider When Choosing a Light Shade

Safety is not the first thing to come in mind when searching for an ideal lamp shade. However, it's not a factor to neglect. Shade's size is directly related to heat generation: high wattage bulbs, especially incandescent and halogen ones, produce heat and require better ventilation and larger or wider coverings. Additionally, it's good to opt for more heat-resistant material or replace the traditional bulbs with cold LED bulbs.

If you need help to find the right light shades for your lamps, ArchiPro provides a connection to the various professionals, ready to assist with all requirements and questions. Simply click "Contact supplier" on the product's page, or visit the supplier's website directly from the product's page.