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HOW TO SIZE SHADES FOR TABLE LAMPS
There's no such thing as the wrong shade!
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.
Table lamps come in all shapes and sizes so it is important to keep the shade proportional to the size and shape of the base. You don't want your look dwarfed by a huge shade or unbalanced by a small one. A perfectly fitting shade should hide the bulb holder underneath without encroaching on the lamp base itself.
- Before you start, just remember, lamp shades are sized by the diameter at the bottom of the shade - so if a shade diameter is 25cm across the bottom, then it is called a 25cm shade.
What size lamp shade do I need?
Lamp shade size for a small table lamp.
The size rather depends on the shape, height and width of your lamp base as these need to be taken into account to keep the shade looking proportional.
A column lamp base like the one shown above will require a smaller shade than a short, wide base. As a rule, most shades that are
15-25cm
wide should suit a smaller lamp base.
Lamp shade size for a medium table lamp.Lamps with a wide, curved or vase-like base look better with wider shades that are around 5-10cm wider than the widest part of the base.
Generally, shades that are between
20-35cm look good on most medium sized table lamps.
Lamp shade size for a larger table lamp.Again, the size of the shade depends on the shape, height and width of the lamp base but we suggest that most shades that are between
30-45 cm wide suit a larger lamp base.
Lamp shade sizing rules:
Measure the height of your table lamp from the bottom of the base to the top of the lamp stem just below the lamp holder.
A general guide is that the height of the shade should be roughly two-thirds the height of the table lamp base.
The width of the shade should be roughly equal to the height of the lamp base.
Keep in mind the width of the shade should also be wider than the widest part of the lamp base.
Most table lamps look good with a shade that is 5-15cm wider than the width of the base, so if your base is 20 wide, then a shade that is around 25-35cm wide will look balanced.
However, the size of the shade will depend on the style of the base. A column-style table lamp like the one shown above may look better with a narrower shade than a wide table lamp base.
Remember the lamp base to shade width ratio...
The width of the lampshade (diameter at the bottom) should be roughly equal to the height of the lamp base.
The height of the lampshade should be about two thirds the height of the lamp base.
The lampshade should be the wider than the widest part of the lamp base.
FAQs
WHAT IS THE BEST LAMPSHADE FOR A BEDSIDE TABLE?
The best bedside lampshades is ones that harmonize with your bedroom décor, provide comfortable lighting, and fit both the lamp base and the size of your bedside table.
Generally, the shade should be two-thirds the height of the lamp base and wide enough to balance its proportions. For most bedside tables that tend to be on the small side, a 20 - 25cm wide shade works well, with a height of around 12 - 15cm for a smaller base.
Empire and medium French drum shades complement modern and traditional interiors, while a cylindrical shade offers a sleek, contemporary feel. Choose a shade in a neutral colour to blend seamlessly with most bedroom palettes or opt for a darker or patterned shade to add personality. If you read in bed, consider a shade with a slightly opaque lining to direct more light downward without being harsh.
WHAT IS THE BEST SHADE SIZE FOR A READING LAMP?
It depends on the lamp’s height, bulb type, and the amount of focused light you need. When reading, you want light that is bright enough to illuminate your book without spilling too much into the rest of the room. Narrow shades, darker colours and thick fabrics will direct light more precisely, while wider shades, lighter colours and finer fabrics will spread it more evenly.
For desk or task reading lamps, smaller shades up to 20cm are ideal, as they concentrate light.
For most table reading lamps, this means a shade width of 20–35cms.
Consider light fittings with a pendant shade (downward pointing bulb) as these focus light downwards while a taller shade will let more out at the bottom. Medium drum or empire shapes work well, as these designs provide both downward and outward lighting.
HOW TALL SHOULD A TABLE LAMPSHADE BE?
The height of a table lampshade plays a key role in both the lamp’s appearance and how effectively it illuminates a space. A good rule of thumb is that the shade’s height should be about two thirds of the height of the lamp base (measured from the bottom of the base to the point where the bulb holder begins). For example, if your lamp base is 45cm tall, the shade height should be around 15cm.
This proportion ensures the lamp looks balanced and prevents the shade from appearing too short or too tall. A shade that is too small may expose too much of the bulb or creating glare, while one that is too tall can make the lamp look top-heavy and block useful light.
For most table lamps, shades between 25 - 40cms high works well, though smaller lamps may look better in the 15- 25cm range.