How To Pick A Lampshade For A Floor Lamp

But there s always an exception.

How to pick a lampshade for a floor lamp.

Retro styles often play with scale by varying the shade size. First measure the base and height of your lamp. To maintain appropriate proportions the larger floor lamp shade is usually wider and often has less of a slope to the sides. Can t decide on a shape.

The flatter sides tend to complement the tall height better than with an empire or coolie style shade. Height table lamp shades should be approximately the height of the base. Floor lamp shades are at least 18 in diameter or larger. A lampshade should be roughly two fifths of the total height of the full lamp including the shade.

Position all shades should cover the top of the lamp fitter socket and bulb. So for example if the base has curves go with a curved shade shape. In general a shade s shape should follow the contour of a lamp. A shade should always cover the socket and non decorative hardware.

This ensures that you cannot see any of the hardware from the side. Though there are always exceptions floor lamps tend to have a larger lampshade and a more neutral colored base in hues such as black gold silver or wood. Many floor lamps have a thin base width which decreases its visual weight despite its. Square or angular base opt for a square shade.

Shade width your shade should be. This is not a hard and fast rule but it holds true in most cases. To determine its size measure the height of the lamp base from the bottom up to the top of the bulb rod then you will divide it by 4 to get an approximate height for the shade. The shade should be twice as wide as the lamp base and one third of the total height of the lamp.

Decide if you want to call attention to the base or the shade. It is also critical to consider how much space you have for your floor lamps. Picking a lampshade to go with a table or floor lamp has more to do with personal taste than it does hard fast rules but there are a few great guidelines that can help make the choosing process easier. Shade height your shade should be 2 3 the height of your base.

Lamp shades on floor lamps tend to be generally larger because the lamp base is so large. If a base is straight choose a shade with straight edges even if they re angled. What s in a shape. If the base is unique or bold use a more subdued lampshade.

Floor lamps and table lamps have different visual weights and base colors. Floor lamps are usually narrow and tall. When in doubt go empire. Lamp shades for floor lamps.

Round lamp base choose a round or hexagonal shade. If the base is very plain and simple you might want to consider a shade with some decorative embellishments or color. Think of the socket and inner working hardware as the wizard of oz.