A sweet purple gingham print repeats the bedskirt and accent pillow in this little girl’s room, creating a colorful, cohesive space. (Photo: Jen Leonard Interiors)

The details are not the details, they make the design.” — Charles Eames

Study any beautiful interior and you will discover layers of stylish details that together create a finished room. Frequently overlooked, lampshades are an easy way to introduce pattern, color and personality to a space. If you are looking for a small change that will elevate your room — consider swapping out your basic shade for a new statement piece.

Options to Fit All Budgets

Custom shades can be expensive but they are a worthwhile place to spend your decorating budget as they can enhance the ambience and richness of a room. When trying to fit an expensive lampshade in a limited budget, consider purchasing a base from an affordable retail store or vintage shop and top it off with a fabulous custom shade. Or if custom shades just aren’t in your budget, a colorful shade from a retail store or a well executed DIY shade are also great options.

Getting Started: Shape and Size

British-based designer Penny Morrison’s gorgeous fabric lampshades brim with personality and style https://www.pennymorrison.com/. (Photo: Penny Morrison)

When selecting a lampshade, a good place to start is with the shape. There are many options: empire, round, drum, rectangle, square scallop, dome, bell, oval and everything in between.

In general, a shade shape should follow the basic shape of the lamp or lamp base. For example, round lamps typically look best with round shades and square lamps look best with square shades. If possible, bring your lamp into a lampshade workroom or store and try on different shapes and sizes to best select the perfect shade.

For a wonderful library of shapes and inspiration, you may want to peruse the luxury lampshade crafter Blanche P. Field’s website. https://www.blanchefield.com/custom-lampshades/shapes.

A bold geometric pattern from Robert Allen Duralee turns up the volume of this colorful and cheerful lamp. (Custom lampshade by Jen Leonard Interiors)

Selecting the size of a shade isn’t an exact science but some basic rules of thumb to consider:

A table lamp shade should be approximately 2/3 the height of your lamp base. This makes the overall ratio 40% shade and 60% base.
The shade should sit low enough on the lamp to cover the stem or mechanical hardware.
The bottom diameter of the shade is typically within two inches of the height of the lamp. (For example, if your lamp is 16” tall, the bottom diameter of the shade should be between 14” - 18”)
Consider the space where the lamp will sit. A narrow entry hall or nightstand may need a narrower shade to avoid being constantly bumped.

Shade Exteriors

Materials

I made this DIY lampshade using a large sheet of decorative paper. The transparency of the paper maximizes the light for the work area and adds a fun and unique pattern to the space. (Jen Leonard Interiors)

When choosing the material for a shade, consider the purpose of the lamp. The type and color of the material you select will influence how the light is diffused. The more translucent the shade material (think a sheer linen or paper) the brighter the light will be. Translucent shades are preferable for reading and bringing ambient light into a room.

Conversely, a thicker or dark opaque material will create a softer glow. Think ambiance and setting a romantic or quiet mood, such as lovely pink silk shade casting a rosy glow.

Colors and Patterns

Now the really fun part — selecting colors and prints. Lampshades are a great opportunity to introduce a dash of color, a textural note and to show off your design style.

Gorgeous turquoise urn lamps with petite pink flowered gathered shades from interior and textile designers, Carolina Irving and Penny Morrison would add charm and warmth to any space. (Photo: Irving and Morrison)

Layer a monochromatic, complementary or coordinating color to build on your existing palette. Select a fabulous print. The possibilities are endless: floral, toile, Ikat, chinoiserie, animal, solid, stripe or perhaps a vintage or antique fabric like a sari or scarf. Maybe embellish with a lovely decorative trim. This is a great opportunity to create a unique and chic accent to elevate your room from ordinary to extraordinary.

Resources

A professional interior decorator can best help you create a special custom shade that is the optimal size, shape, color, pattern and material for your home. Contact us to learn how to elevate your home’s style https://www.jenleonard.design/contact.

If a custom shade is outside your budget, a few retailers offer a lovely selection of pleated and patterned shades, led by Ballard Designs. https://www.ballarddesigns.com/limited-edition-lynx-pleated-lamp-shade/lighting/shades/lamp-shades/495112?listIndex=16&uniqueId=495112. Etsy and Chairish are also good lampshade sources and include a few made to order marketplaces. Links: https://www.etsy.com/ and https://www.chairish.com.