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Lamp shades have been a part of history since the 1800s. In the Victorian period, lampshades were, as you can imagine, hugely ornate and decorative. Very elaborate material lampshades were made, as well as glass. If a lampshade had a fringe, beading, pleating or lace then it was much prized. Unfortunately, due to the fragile nature of cloth, not many examples of the lampshades of this period exist now.
In the 1920s, the Art Deco style was in fashion, and this impacted on lamp shade design also. Famous lighting manufacturers such as Handel and Crucet manufactured ranges of glass and cloth shades. At this time also Tiffany started making their elaborate stained glass lampshades, which are still popular today. From the 1940s though, the more elaborate lampshades fell out of favor. Elaborate meant expensive, and so many more lampshades were mass produced out of plastic and paper. But it is still possible to find the more elaborate styles, such as silk if you look hard enough.
So how should you go about choosing what style of lampshade to use in your home? It's not just beauty that's the issue – although that's very much a matter of personal taste – but also size, style and material. It's probably best to keep these things in mind when you go lampshade shopping:
- First of all, style. Don't just choose something that you like, although obviously that's important. Make sure that the style of your choice of lampshade goes with the interior of your room. Whether it's modern and contemporary, or traditional, there's bound to be something you'll like that will fit in well with its surroundings.
- Second, think about the size of the shade. You're looking for a shade size which will balance the lamp. Try and choose one which makes the lamp look proportioned – too small and the lamp will look bottom heavy, too big and the lamp will look top heavy.
- Finally, consider the vertical location of your shade – meaning the bottom edge. You want this to fall below the light bulb and fitting so that the lamp looks stylish, but you don't want it too long so that it swamps the lamp. Edgings like fringing or beading can be a useful way to lengthen the lamp shade without making the shade look too long.
There are numerous styles to match any design ideas you might have such as, contemporary, modern, retro, antique, mica, chandelier, traditional, tropical, victorian, country, western and rustic. Just as there are numerus styles you can also find a lampshade in many different types of materials such as, glass, rice paper, silk, metal, tin, leather and bamboo. As you can see your choices are endless.
Visit our buyers guide to find links to discount online lamp and lighting merchants that offer all types of lamp shades.
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