Some lamps call for shades of unusual sizes, but there are some general rules you can follow. The bottom of the shade should just cover the lamp switch so be sure to measure the harp before buying. The harp will tell you the height from the base of the socket to the top of the shade. You can try using different sized harps while shopping.
How big should a lampshade be?
The shade should be larger than the lamp base and one third of the lamp’s height. The shade needs to be at least 12 inches wide. The shade should be at least 8 inches tall if the lamp’s total height is 24 inches. Do all lampshades fit all lamps? The shape of the lamp shade should be matched to the shape of the lamp base.
How to choose the right size lampshade?
The Size
- The bottom of the shade should just cover the lamp switch so be sure to measure the harp before buying. ...
- Generally, the height of the shade should be about 3/4 the height of the base.
- The bottom of the shade should be wider than the widest part of the base.
How to choose the right lampshade?
Things to Consider When Choosing Right Lampshade for Your Lamp
- Material. If you’re looking for a new lampshade or want to make the most of your current one, there are some important factors to consider.
- Getting the Size Right. The balance of height and width is the key. ...
- Shape Design. ...
- Style. ...
- Color. ...
- Patterns. ...
- Types of Lampshade Fitters. ...
- Bulb Holders. ...
How to make a lampshade from scratch?
How to Make a Lampshade from Scratch
- Build the Frame with wire. Look for the wires. Choose a wire which is sturdy enough to hold its shape but pliable enough to be bent.
- Decorate with Beads. Create a string of beads that is long enough to reach from the top to the bottom of the shade. ...
- Cover with Fabric. Measure the distance between each vertical line on the lampshade frame. ...
How do I buy a replacement lamp shade?
0:021:26How To Buy A Lamp Shade - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you're looking for a new shade a good rule of thumb is that the shade should be one-third theMoreIf you're looking for a new shade a good rule of thumb is that the shade should be one-third the overall height. And in general the width of the shade should be two times the base width.
Will any lamp shade fit on any lamp?
Types of Lamp Shade Fitters The fitter is the wire part of a shade that connects it to the lamp body. Fitters are not interchangeable, so be sure to use a shade with the correct fitter for your lamp.
Are lamp shades One size fits all?
The lamp base rule Here's why: lampshade fitting follows a basic rule. Namely, lampshades should be double the width of the lamp base, and they should be one-third of the total height of the lamp. You can easily take these dimensions with a tape measure.
What are the 3 types of lampshades?
The three most common types of lampshade assemblies are: Spider, Uno and Clip-on (see diagram). The Spider or Standard assembly is the most conventional, consisting of multiple spokes positioned at the top of the shade that meet at a central point which attaches to the harp.
How do I know what size lampshade to buy?
The shade should be twice as wide as the lamp base, and one third of the total height of the lamp. So for a 6-inch lamp base, the shade should be at least 12 inches wide. And if the total height of the lamp (including the bulb and harp) is 24 inches, the shade should be 8 inches tall.
How do I know what type of lamp shade I need?
The shade should be about two-thirds the height of your lamp base. For the right lamp shade width, measure your lamp base and multiply by two. The widest part of your shade should be at least a half-inch wider than the widest part of your base on each side.
What is the purpose of putting holes near the top of a metal lampshade?
The holes near the top of the lampshade allow the heat from the lamp to escape. Hot air, being light, rises from the bulb. Cold air moves in through the holes to take the place of the hot air. This allows the lamp to cool down.
Do lampshades need to match?
You don't have to match all the lamps in a room. More precisely, you don't have to have identical lamps. However, if you want a cohesive design, make sure they relate to one another in some way, either through shade color and shape, materials, or similar color schemes.
What are the different type of lampshade fittings?
There are three basic types of lamp shade fittings: spider fittings, uno fittings, and clip-on fittings: Spider Fittings: Spider fittings are the most common type of fitting for table and floor lamps and are used with harps.
How do lampshades attach?
A lamp shade needs to be attached to a lamp base and secured into place. This is usually done by: Wire arms at the center of the shade frame sit on top of a "lamp harp", secured by a finial (a spider fitter) Wire arms at the center of the shade drop down below the bulb and sit on the socket (an uno fitter)
What are the two types of lamp shades?
Rectangular & Square: Both of these shades are popular in modern spaces. Rectangular shades have two sides that are longer than the others, whereas all the sides of a square shade are the same. Bowl: An adaptation of the empire, bowl-shaped shades resemble a wide basin with light distributed downward.
Can you mix lamp shade styles?
You may absolutely have different shades for different lamps in the same room.
Should all your lamp shades match?
You don't have to match all the lamps in a room. More precisely, you don't have to have identical lamps. However, if you want a cohesive design, make sure they relate to one another in some way, either through shade color and shape, materials, or similar color schemes.
Can you put a rectangular shade on a round lamp?
As a starting point, round bases pair well with round or hexagonal shades. For square or angular bases, try square or rectangular shades for a cohesive effect. A candlestick base combines both round and angular elements, so it can take nearly any type of lampshade. Consider the current balance of your lamp as well.
How do you attach a lampshade to the base?
1:103:09Ikea Lampshade Hack - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can pop that guy in there and then put your lampshade on and screw it down tightly. And it worksMoreYou can pop that guy in there and then put your lampshade on and screw it down tightly. And it works like a charm. If. You have a lampshade base.
How much do replacement lamp shades cost?
Buying a new lamp shade for table lamps, floor lamps or light fixtures doesn't have to be expensive . After all, you probably already spent enough on the original lamp or light and would just like to add a lampshade or replace a missing or damaged one.
How big should a lamp shade be for a floor lamp?
Measuring lamp shades for floor lamps. Floor lamps take a shade with a bottom diameter of 16" or 18" or larger . Similar rules apply as for table lamp shades, where the shade needs to be tall enough to cover the hardware so that you don't see the lamp socket or fitter from the side.
What is a floor lamp shade?
Floor-Lamp lamp shades. Floor lamps typically require a slightly larger shade than table lamps. Also due to the height of the lamp, they tend to look better with a drum or floor-style shade. A floor shade is almost a drum shade, except the sides are slightly slanted.
How does the shade of a lamp affect the light?
The correct shade greatly affects the kind of light the lamp gives off, as well as where that light is directed . Different types of lamp shades correlate to different functions for practical purposes, be it sitting nearby, at a distance, or as an ambient light source.
How high should a lamp shade be?
A good height for lamp shades for table lamps is about 3/4 of the width of the shade, or 3/4 the height of the base up to the socket.
What is a spider shade?
Shades with a spider-type or UNO-type fitter usually have some distance between the top edge of the shade down to the center of the fitter. This makes the fitting less visible when viewing the lamp from the side but does raise the position of the shade by the drop distance.
Why do we need lamp shades?
A lamp "shade" usually covers all or part of a light bulb, to serve a few purposes: To protect your eyes from harsh glare . To direct the light in a certain direction for practical purposes.
How to measure lamp shade width?
To choose the right lamp shade width, measure your lamp base and multiply by two. For a round base, measure straight across; measure diagonally for a square base. The widest part of your shade should be at least a half-inch wider than the widest part of your base on each side.
Can you use a round shade on a candlestick?
And, if your lamp is square and your table is round, a round shade can complement both.
How should a lamp shade look?
As a rule, a lamp shade should complement your light without taking away from the design of the lamp base, or the room. It's preferable to look for a shade that isn't a) too wide, b) too tall, or c) too short, as this will make the overall shape of your light look unbalanced. Traditionally, the height of a lamp shade should be around half ...
How to measure the diameter of a lamp shade?
To determine the total diameter for your new lamp shade, measure across the light at the widest part (this is usually the very bottom of the base) and then multiply this measurement by two. For example, if the diameter of the widest part of your lamp base if 10 inches, then your lamp shade diameter should be 20 inches wide. ...
How high should a lamp shade be?
Traditionally, the height of a lamp shade should be around half of the height of the lamp base. So, start by measuring your lamp base height, and then divide this measurement by two. For example, if your total lamp base height is 25 inches, then your shade should be around 12.5 inches high.
How much clearance do you need for a ceiling shade?
It is best to leave a reasonable clearance from the bottom of the pendant to the floor (around 7 or 8 feet) so that people can comfortably pass underneath the spot where your ceiling shade is hung.
How big should a pendant shade be above a table?
A large dining table would be complemented by a similarly-sized large light pendant that is around a third or two-thirds of the entire width of the table. When shopping for a shade above a smaller table, think about proportions and ensure that the difference in size between shade and table isn’t too significant.
Can you go bigger on a lamp shade?
Of course, these are a guide, so if you want to divert from the traditional proportions for a lamp shade then you can go larger for additional impact and a more contemporary look. We wouldn’t advise buying a shade much smaller – this can bring the shade too close to the light fitting which makes it unsafe due to the heat emitted from the bulb.
What is a lamp shade?
A colorful lampshade can also tint the light in your room as light passes through it. When your lamp is missing a shade or your shade is old, damaged or dirty, ...
How wide should a floor lamp shade be?
Often floor lampshades are in the range of 16" to 20" or more width. Consider also the style of your lamp, whether it looks modern or more traditional.
Can you buy glass shades online?
Shopping for glass lamp shades online doesn't have to be difficult, you just need to know what you're looking for. Some lamps use a reflector blow, that sits inside the shade and helps to reflect and diffuse light. Glass shades are intended for lamps specifically designed for them, usually on older, antique lamp bases.
Do chandeliers need shades?
Chandelier Shades. Chandeliers often feature bare candle bulbs which need mini clip on lamp shades to cover them. You'll need a full set of chandelier lampshades to cover each arm of the chandelier. Chandelier shades are typically quite small, smaller even than those used on most lamps.
How wide should a lampshade be?
As a general rule of thumb, the lampshade should be roughly two-thirds the height (give or take an inch ), and twice as wide as the base.
Where is the shade on a lamp?
The shade is attached directly to the lamp socket, underneath the light bulb. Uno sockets differ from standard sockets in that they have threads at the end, which are designed to hold the UNO fitter in place. These fitters are often found in older lamps. There are two main variations of UNO fitters: slip UNO fitters and threaded UNO fitters.
What is a Lampshade Fitter?
A lampshade fitter is the wire portion of the shade that connects it to the body of the lamp. Fitters are not interchangeable, so it’s important that you choose a shade that has the proper fitter for your lamp. The most common types of lamp shade fitters are as follows:
What are the different types of lamp shade fitters?
The three main types of lamp shade fitters are UNO, spider, and clip-on. However, there are variations of also each of these options. Continue reading to understand the different types of lamp shade fitters and help determine which fitter type you need for your specific purposes.
How much drop does a shade need?
Shades with spider fitters will usually feature a ½ to 1-inch drop, while shades with Slip UNO fitters will have several inches of drop that varies from shade to shade as the fitter must drop below the light bulb. Threaded UNO fitters, on the other hand, typically have a drop between one and two inches to visually conceal the electrical attachments above the shade.
What is a Euro lamp shade?
Similar to the UNO fitter, the Euro is a European style lamp shade fitter. Like UNO fitters, these are often used on smaller table lamps. They do not require a harp, as the wiring fitting is permanently connected to the lampshade. Then, the lampshade attaches directly to the lamp socket, beneath the light bulb.
How much space between lampshade and light bulb?
For 75 to 100-Watt incandescent bulbs, allow for at least two to three inches of space between the lampshade and the light bulb.
