Guide to Lamp Shades
Discover the many types of lamp shades and how to find the right match for your lamp
Kelsey Roadruck
March 28, 2018
Houzz Contributor
Lamp shades are the jewelry of interior design. If you feel like your room decor is missing something, a new lamp shade could be that one thing that makes a difference. However, it’s not all about looks — even the most mesmerizing lamp shade can be awkwardly proportioned or provide an inadequate amount of light. Become an expert with our guide to the most popular types of lamp shades and how to measure them.
Drum and Cylinder Lamp Shades
Drum: Drum lamp shades are wider than they are tall. They’re well-suited for pendant lights and give table lamps a contemporary look. For the best look, pair drum shades with geometrical or wide lamp bases.
Cylinder: Similar to a drum shade, a cylinder lamp shade offers equal light from both ends. They are taller than they are wide, which makes them a perfect match for tall and narrow lamp bases or floor lamps.
Cylinder: Similar to a drum shade, a cylinder lamp shade offers equal light from both ends. They are taller than they are wide, which makes them a perfect match for tall and narrow lamp bases or floor lamps.
Empire and Coolie Lamp Shades
Empire: Here’s a classic shape that should work on nearly all lamps. Empire lamp shades flare out at the bottom, casting light down and out. Use this type of lamp shade in a reading corner or seating area.
Coolie: Coolie lamp shades are even narrower at the top and wider at the bottom than empire shades. They tend to be flatter, so they’re not the best choice for floor lamps as you might be able to see the bulb while seated. They work for task lighting, but the brightness might be diffused by the wide output of light.
Coolie: Coolie lamp shades are even narrower at the top and wider at the bottom than empire shades. They tend to be flatter, so they’re not the best choice for floor lamps as you might be able to see the bulb while seated. They work for task lighting, but the brightness might be diffused by the wide output of light.
Bell and Oval Lamp Shades
Bell: Resembling a bell, the sides elegantly curve in and the bottom flares out. The top is wider than empire and coolie shades and they’re rarely lined, so you’ll get a more ambient glow from a bell lamp shade. Try them on curvy lamp bases in traditional interiors.
Oval: An oval shade has an oval-shaped top, but at a sideways glance, it can take on the form of any other shape, including an oval drum, oval empire, etc. A round lamp base works best with an oval lamp shade.
Oval: An oval shade has an oval-shaped top, but at a sideways glance, it can take on the form of any other shape, including an oval drum, oval empire, etc. A round lamp base works best with an oval lamp shade.
Rectangular, Square, Hexagon and Octagon Lamp Shades
Rectangular/Square: Although some are rectangular or square all around, the top of the lamp shade is the true giveaway of its shape. You can have a rectangular bell or a pyramid lamp shade among other variations. Some feature a decorative “cut corner” for visual oomph. Match square lamp shades with angular bases or contrast them with round bases.
Hexagon/Octagon: These unusually shaped shades are the least common on the list. Hexagon and octagon lamp shades are more extreme than cut-cornered square shades; they have six to eight flat sides and equal-length edges around the top and bottom of the shade.
Hexagon/Octagon: These unusually shaped shades are the least common on the list. Hexagon and octagon lamp shades are more extreme than cut-cornered square shades; they have six to eight flat sides and equal-length edges around the top and bottom of the shade.
How to Measure a Lamp Shade
Lamp shade sizes are formatted as such: top diameter by bottom diameter by length of slant. For example, 4 by 8 by 10 means that the top is four inches wide, the bottom is eight inches wide and the side of the shade is 10 inches long. If you’re replacing a lamp shade, measure your existing shade in three simple steps:
- Measure the diameter (or the widest part) of the top.
- Measure the diameter (or the widest part) of the bottom.
- Measure the length of the side (or slant).
Lamp Shade Hardware
Harp: Adjust the lamp shade up and down with help from a harp. Typically, the more flared the shade, the shorter the harp needs to be. Harps are usually interchangeable and come with the base of a lamp.
Fitter: A fitter is where the lamp shade and its base connect. It’s found at the top of the shade. Here are a few examples of common fitters:
Finial: Finials fasten right on top of the lamp shade to secure it in place. They can be quite decorative as they’re available in many colors, designs and materials.
DIY lamp shade
Fitter: A fitter is where the lamp shade and its base connect. It’s found at the top of the shade. Here are a few examples of common fitters:
- Washer and spider: Also called spider fitters for short, these have three or four spider-like arms connected in the middle by a washer.
- Reflector bowl: These have grooves along three or four spider-like arms to secure the shade onto the reflector bowl, which is usually sold with the lamp base.
- UNO: There are two types available: slip UNO fitters and threaded UNO fitters. Slip UNO fitters form a v-shape and secure to the top of the socket. They’re held in place by the bulb. Threaded UNO fitters are for lamps with downward-facing bulbs. A screw thread attaches to the socket before the bulb is installed.
- Clip-on: Most commonly used on small lamps or chandeliers, these fitters clip directly onto the bulb.
Finial: Finials fasten right on top of the lamp shade to secure it in place. They can be quite decorative as they’re available in many colors, designs and materials.
DIY lamp shade
How Much Does a Lamp Shade Cost?
On average, standard lamp shades are $20 to $50. Cost largely depends on the size of the shade. Large lamp shades cost more, while small lamp shades, like chandelier lamp shades, cost closer to $10 or $15. Materials also matter. Replacements for the iconic Tiffany lamp shades or other stained glass lamp shades usually have to be custom made.
Mix and Match Lamps on Houzz:
Glass Lamp Shades
Clip-On Lamp Shades
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Lamp Sets
Mix and Match Lamps on Houzz:
Glass Lamp Shades
Clip-On Lamp Shades
Lamps
Lamp Sets