What is a Lampshade Fitter?
- UNO. UNO fitters are commonly seen on smaller table lamps. ...
- Spider/ Harp. Also sometimes referred to as a washer fitter, spider lamp shade fitters are the most common type of fitter used for both floor and table lamps.
- Clip-On. ...
- Euro. ...
- Chimney Fitters. ...
Full Answer
What are the different types of lamp shade fitters?
- What is a Lampshade Fitter? UNO Slip UNO Fitter Threaded UNO Fitter Spider/ Harp Reflector Bowl Spider Fitter Clip-On Euro Chimney Fitters
- Choosing the Right Drop Size
- Accounting for Bulb Heat
- Related Questions How do I pick the right size lampshade? What is a lamp finial?
What are the different styles of lamp shades?
Types of Lamp Shades. Empire: The empire shade is the standard look for a lamp shade. Light is spread downward through the wide brim of this classic cone shape. Shop Empire Lamp Shades. Bell: This elegant skirt-shaped cone has a wide brim at the bottom of its curved sides. This shade is typically used for traditional and classic decor.
What is a harp fitting lamp shade?
What is a harp on a lampshade?
- 1 & 2.
- Unscrew the finial and then squeeze the harp to remove it.
- Pop the socket itself apart.
- Remove the top portion of the socket to reveal wire connections.
- Thread the wire through the ring of the uno shade and then through the socket cup.
- Reconnect the wiring, making sure to use an underwriter's knot for safety.
What is a spider fitting lamp shade?
What is a Lamp Shade Fitter?
- Clip-On Shades. Clip-on lamp shades use pressure to attach the shade to the lamp. ...
- Spider Fitters. Spider fitters are another alternative. These fitters screw onto an upside-down U-shaped piece called the harp.
- Uno Lamp Shades. Uno lamp shades are more versatile than those with clip-on or spider fitters. ...

What are the types of lamp shade 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.
Do all lampshades fit all lamps?
Lampshades come in all shapes and sizes and can be paired with the right sized lamp base when fitted well. The right lampshade can provide an accent to your home's décor. You must know how to measure one to make sure it fits your lamp well. You also need to understand which fittings are ideal for different lamps. .
Are lampshade fittings universal?
The fitter is the part of the shade that attaches directly to the lightbulb. In most cases, the type of fitter is not interchangeable, so be sure to match the shade attachment to a compatible lamp base.
What is UNO or harp socket lamp shades?
Uno Lamp Shades They have an inner ring that slips over the socket and are held in place by the bulb. This design makes it simple to replace the bulb. The installation process doesn't require any tools at all. Once you unscrew the bulb, you can attach the shade in seconds.
What is spider fitting lamp shade?
The spider lamp shade is the most common type of fitter for table and floor lamp shades. Spider fitters sit atop the lamp's harp (the U-shaped metal part of a lamp that fits around and protects the light bulb). Once placed on top of the harp, spider fitters are secured to the lamp by a finial.
What are the 3 types of lampshades?
There are three types of lamp fitters: spider, clip-on, and Uno. Spider: This common option has three prongs that meet at the center of the shade.
How do you determine your fitting size?
The fitter is the outer diameter of the lip which is inserted into the fixture's shade holder. This will measure a little less than the fitter size so it can fit into the shade holder of the same measurement. The height of a glass shade is taken from the base of the fitter lip to the bottom of the shade.
What is a gimble fitting?
A gimble is the inside ring of the lamp that connects it to a fitting. If the gimble is reversible, it can be hung from a bulb holder or reversed to use on a table or floor lamp base. Some shades also come with a reducer which allows them to be used on both UK and European sizes of light fitting.
How do I choose a light fitting?
1. Any light fitting will have two personalities, lit and unlit, so a piece may only reveal its full potential when illuminated. Something subtle in the day may become far more exotic once darkness falls, casting wonderful rays and shadows, so consider its effect on a room at all times of the day.
Can I use an UNO shade on harp lamp?
Slip Uno adapters are made to fit directly over a plastic lamp socket found on lamps usually purchased at many popular retail stores. This adapter attaches directly to the harp, allowing use of nearly any replacement lamp shade.
What is a slip UNO shade fitter type?
Slip (Nardi) UNO Fitter: This shade fitter is similar to the threaded UNO fitter, except an additional inner ring “slips” onto the socket to hold the bulb and lamp shade in place.
What is an Uno type shade?
An uno lamp shade is a type of shade that fits onto a lamp socket with an uno fitter. The uno fitter has arms radiating outward attached to the inside edges of the shade that support a hollow round piece that slides over the socket.
What is the most common type of fitting for table and floor lamp shades?
There are several types of lamp shade fitters. You can click on any image below to see a larger version. Spider and Washer with Harp – This is the most common type of fitting for table and floor lamp shades. It comes in two varieties.
Do you need a harp for a lamp shade?
No harp is needed as the wire fitting is permanently attached to the shade. The shade attaches directly to the lamp socket below the light bulb. Clip-On – This type comes in two sizes: (1) smaller for candle bulbs found on accent lamps and chandeliers and (2) larger for the standard Edison bulbs.
What to consider when choosing a lamp shade?
What to Consider. Shape: When choosing a lamp shade, we recommend picking one that mimics the shape of your lamp’s base. Keep it traditional with a bell shade or empire shade, or switch things up with a more modern option like oval or rectangular.
What are the three types of lamp fitters?
There are three types of lamp fitters: spider, clip-on, and Uno. Spider: This common option has three prongs that meet at the center of the shade. This center point is where the fitter attaches to the top of a harp, a metal U-shaped wiring that protects the actual lightbulb.
What is a fitter in a lamp?
The fitter is the part of the shade that attaches directly to the lightbulb. In most cases, the type of fitter is not interchangeable, so be sure to match the shade attachment to a compatible lamp base. Shop Lamp Bases.
What is the difference between a bell and an empire shade?
Empire: The empire shade is the standard look for a lamp shade. Light is spread downward through the wide brim of this classic cone shape. Bell: This elegant skirt-shaped cone has a wide brim at the bottom of its curved sides. This shade is typically used for traditional and classic decor.
Why do you need a new lamp shade?
A new lamp shade might be the secret weapon you’ve been waiting for. While they provide a functional purpose of shading harsh light, they can also personalize your space. They can be switched out to compliment new decor, a change in the seasons, or a shift in mood.
What is a drum shade?
Drum: A drum shade has a wide cylindrical shape with tall sides and wide rims of equal size, allowing light to flow upward and downward equally. Shop Drum Lamp Shades. Novelty: Novelty lamp shades come in a variety of unique shapes, sizes, and designs. They are eccentric in nature and sure to catch your eye!
Can you mix and match a lamp base?
Mixing and matching your lamp bases with different shades allows you to create a personalized design for your space. When matching a shade with a lamp base, it's important to consider the type of lamp shade fitter. The fitter is the part of the shade that attaches directly to the lightbulb.
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 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.
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 reflective lining?
A reflective lining such as gold or silver helps to reflect light away from the shade surface and focuses it out of the top and bottom. This keeps the outer appearance of the shade the same color and tone as when the light is off. This is useful for dark or black shades that you want to stay dark-looking even when the lamp is on. It also prevents the shade from absorbing some of the light, increasing overall light output. A reflective lining also hides the appearance of a bright-spot from the light bulb, as seen through the shade. Other types of lining include plastic, linen and other fabrics, each with its own degree of diffusing and reflecting light. Some linings allow some light through while also increasing the output through the top and bottom of the shade.
What is the difference between a cylinder shade and a drum shade?
Drum shades tend to be wider and cylinder shades tend to be taller. In some cases the difference between them is hard to distinguish - a tall drum shade may be similar to a short cylinder shade.
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 Lamp Shades Work
Although everyone has them, most do not stop to consider how lamp shades work and what purpose they serve in the home. Lamp shades are responsible for blocking, filtering, and directing the light that comes from a lamp. The openings at the top and bottom of the shade allow both light and heat to escape.
Lamp Shade Considerations
When it comes to choosing the right lamp shade, there is much to consider.
Types of Lamp Shades by Shape
Lamp shades are available in a number of intriguing and unusual shapes. Again, make sure that you choose the shape of your lamp shade based on the base of the lamp. While there isn’t really a one-size-fits-all regarding lamp shades, knowing the most popular shades can aid in your hunt to find the perfect shade.
Types of Lamp Shades by Material
Another way to categorize lamp shades is based on the material that they are made out of. Fortunately, there are a number of different lamp shade materials to choose from and the ideal one for your home depends on the purpose of the particular lamp.
