Guidelines to Lamps, Lampshades, and Bulbs

Matching the Shade and Base

If you ever decide to replace a shade years after you’ve purchased the lamp, it’s good to know what the proportions are to getting a great match. To ensure a lamp doesn’t look top-heavy, follow this rule of thumb: Turn your lampshade on its side and make sure the diameter of the shade is anywhere from 3/4 of the height of, to the same height as, the base, and never higher. Make sure the shade covers the lamps harp (the “U” shaped metal piece that the shade attaches to with a part that screws on the top called a finial) and bulb socket while leaving about 1 inch of the neck exposed. Harps come in a variety of sizes if you need to change the proportions.

Shade Options

The most popular shade materials are in classic neutral tones as well as black on occasion. Each one is appropriate for either general (overall room) task (lighting specific work areas) or accent (add drama or focus attention in one place) lighting.

Silk: Because it is so thin, it is the most transparent shade material and is suitable for task or general lighting. Some manufactured fabrics now look very similar to silk and are less expensive.

Linen: Linen is thicker than silk, but still lets out plenty of light. Good for general or task lighting.

Pleated Fabric Shade: This softens light because the light has to go through a few layers of fabric. Appropriate for general or task lighting.

Parchment: A high quality stiff paper, this has a soft glow but light doesn’t penetrate it. Light is emitted from the top and bottom, making it good for accent lighting.

Kraft Paper: Heavier than parchment, a kraft paper shade emits a warm yellow glow and is used the same as a parchment shade.

Which Bulb to Buy?

Incandescent: The standard clear or frosted incandescent light bulb produces a soft yellow-white warm light that is suitable for many applications. Inexpensive and widely available, these bulbs are wonderful for ambient lighting and also task lighting when used in higher wattages. The higher the wattage the hotter the filament burns- never exceed the maximum wattage recommended for your lamp.

Flourescent: These bulbs have increased in popularity and their prices have dropped considerably. Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs screw into stand lamps and are extremely energy efficient. Once known for only emitting a cool white light, fluorescents now come in a wide range of color renditions.

Because installing dimmable fluorescents is expensive, they’re best used for task or general lighting in rooms without dimmer switches like kitchens and laundry rooms- where you are not after “mood”.

Halogen: Halogen lights give off a white light, so they’re suitable for both task and accent lighting. They are also dimmable and more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs, making them appropriate for general lighting. Halogens burn very hot so make sure they have cooled before touching. Not all halogen bulbs are the same- different types have qualities that impact how long they last, how much light you get and how white they are.