How to size lampshades
for Floor Lamps

Before the ‘rules’ it’s important to bear in mind there is no such thing as the wrong shade. If you love it – it’s the right shade.

Experimenting with lamp shades in new fabrics, shapes and colours is great way to instantly update your home’s style.

Floor or standard lamps are more difficult to size as they tend to be tall and narrow and it is important to make sure the shade sits at the correct height.

Generally, they require a larger shade than table lamps, typically around 30cm to 50cm in diameter.

WIDTH

Generally, the width of the shade should be wider than the base of your floor lamp.

Most floor lamps suit shades that are 10-20cm wider than the base and sized between 40 and 50cm.

If your standard lamp is a bit smaller or takes a pendant fitting shade (as in our Nayland Adjustable Reading Lamp) anything between 30 and 40cm may fit better.

HEIGHT

As a rule of thumb, the height of the shade should be about quarter the height of your floor lamp.

To determine this, measure the height of the lamp base from the floor to the bottom of the bulb holder, then divide by four to get the approximate height for the shade.

TRUST YOUR EYE

The perfect shade should hide the fittings underneath without encroaching on the lamp base.

We say that the bottom of the shade should just cover the lamp holder when looking at it at eye level.

Choosing the right shaped shade is important

As a rule, we say the shape of the shade should reflect the shape of your lamp base.

If the base is straight, square or rectangular, a similar shaped shade that mirrors its lines will look better than a round one.

If your lamp base is round or tapered, a sloping or straight round shade such as an Empire, French Drum or oval shade will suit it.

As always, there is an exception to the rule and in this case, it is column lamps which suit any shape of shade.

For more advice on how to find the right floor lamp and shade, see our
Floor Lamp FAQs
And for ideas for shades for our best selling floor lamps, see:
Floor Lamp Shades