|
Think of lamp shades as the perfect accessory for a wardrobe. They are a necessary part of any lamp, but shades have a practical purpose in addition to a decorative reason for topping a lamp. For starters, a lamp shade blocks the workings of the lamp from view. Although your lamp may be particularly attractive, the bulb and electric workings are probably less that beautiful, making the lamp shade essential for keeping your room looking fantastic. Furthermore, lamp shades are used to funnel the light into a specific shape for its use.
Whenever possible, purchase lamps and lamp shades together in order to keep the process simple and easy. Just like a foot and a shoe, not every shade will fit every lamp. Shades are measured in two ways, the height and the diameter. If you choose a shade that is too small for a lamp, it is much like having a child’s hat atop an adult’s head. Similarly, having a shade that is too large for the lamp looks just as awkward. If you are looking to purchase a lamp shade for a lamp that you already own, be sure to take the lamp with you on your shopping trip, since the sheer volume of lamp shades on the market can be overwhelming. Lamp shades run the gamut in price from budget friendly to outrageous expensive. Typically, the material used to make the lamp shade and the extras involved in the lamp shade’s construction play directly into the price. There are many materials used for making a lamp shade, from traditional materials like paper and silk to more unique materials like metal, stone, and glass. Furthermore, lamp shades have a wide variety of decorations, including fringe, beads, tassels, and everything else under the sun. A general rule of thumb when purchasing lamp shades for lamps is to match the shape of the shade with the shape of the lamp’s base. For example, if you have a lamp with a round base, choose a round shade. Furthermore, geometric shaped lamp bases should be matched with their appropriate lamp shade shapes. This similarity will ensure that the lamp and lamp shade works well together and maintains a common theme. Furthermore, strive to match the style of the lamp with your lamp shade. For example, a modern shaped lamp will probably look best with a modern shaped shade, such as a drum shade. Conversely, traditional lamps will look best with traditional shaped lamp shades made from more traditional materials. Lamp shades are available in all shapes, sizes, colors, and materials, so the task may be overwhelming. Today, shades are available in all sources, from your local home improvement warehouses and discount stores to the high end lamp and light fixture shops. You can even make your own lamp shade by purchasing a special shade from a craft shop. These shades are made with an adhesive material that allows you to affix paper or fabric directly to the shade in order to create your own look. This method of making lamp shades is a great way to ensure your lamp is truly one of a kind. |
Lamps and Shades