How to Pick The Right Lamp Shade

Picking the perfect shade is a lot like choosing the right jewelry – it has to fit the place and occasion, complement without overwhelming, and draw just enough attention to be noticed. And if you put it on and it doesn’t make your heart beat a little faster, keep looking. There’s something better.

The following tips will help you choose the shade that's right for your lamp and your setting.

Height

As a rule of thumb, choose a shade that's two-thirds the height of the base. That proportion assures that the lamp won't look top or bottom heavy. You also want to make sure the shade doesn't expose any of the hardware underneath, such as the harp (the wire frame around the light bulb).

Shape

If the base is round, it will look best with a round shade. A square or angular base generally looks best with a square shade.

The exception: If you're putting a square-base lamp on a round table, you might like to echo the tabletop by using a round shade.

In general, however, it's best to choose a shade that reflects the shape of the base and the shape of the table it's sitting on.

A candlestick lamp looks good with just about any shape of shade.

Width

The widest part of the shade should be at least a half-inch wider on each side than the widest point of the base.

Consider the location of the lamp. You don't want to crash into the shade every time you get in or out of bed, for example. Make sure the shade doesn't extend beyond the tabletop.

The same holds true for a lamp on a hall table: Don't let it stick out so far that you bang into it when you walk by.

(And yes, this lamp has a round base and a squarish shade. But the exception makes sense here, because the shade can sit flush against the wall, minimizing collisions in a high-traffic area.)

Translucency

If you need the lamp to read by or to shed ambient light, go with a translucent shade.

If you're using the lamp only as an accent light and don't need it to illuminate the room or to shed light on a task, an opaque shade can be a good choice.

Pleating

Pleated lampshades tend to look more traditional; they are most appropriate in rooms furnished with antiques or that have a lot of pattern and detail.

If the room is contemporary, go with a non-pleated shade. If you have a contemporary room and really want to use a pleated lampshade, try a box pleat — its geometric design tends to look fresher and more modern than that of its conventional counterpart.