How to Choose the Perfect Lamp Base & Lampshade
What is the best size lampshade for a table lamp?
Naturally, there are exceptions to every rule. Keeping everything in proportion is really important so your lamp base isn’t dwarfed by a giant shade or unbalanced by a small one. If your lamp is in between two sizes of lampshade, choose the larger of the two as proportionally it will look better and will distribute more light. A shade that is too small for a lamp looks very odd! Obviously there are exceptions to every rule, for example, our 20cm shade looks great on our Bolitho or Zennor bases as they are narrow and the shade looks very elegant, but if you follow this guide, you shouldn't go far wrong! You can always ask us for advise as well!
Floor lamps are a little trickier when it comes to working out what size and shape of lampshade is needed. Often they are tall and narrow, so shape-wise they’ll suit drum, empire, rectangular or square lampshades. To determine what lampshade size you need for your floor lamp, measure the height of the lamp base from the bottom to the top of the bulb rod, then divide by four to get an approximate height for the shade.
Don’t forget to take into account how much room you have around your shade – you can always go a size down if it’s too close to other pieces of furniture – and also trust your eye. At the moment, we only have our Tripod bases which look good in any setting. The shade to use on this is a 45cm one for the perfect fit.
If you do have another shape, such as an empire or a rectangular one, then it’s best to mirror the shape of your base with your shade. So if your base has straight lines, then go a shade which reflects this, if your base is tapered or round then you can choose an empire, drum or coolie.
Choosing a colour and pattern for your lampshade
I really like changing out my soft furnishings as the seasons change: it’s so easy to make a room look completely different just by a different lampshade and a couple of cushions. Our lampshades are very decorative and really set the interior scheme of a room. We’ve deliberately chosen plain or textured bases so that they easily work with any of our shades, complimenting them rather than detracting from them.
If you're unsure of using bold patterns in your home decor, now is your chance to experiment with design. Our collections are designed to work together, so you can be confident that the cushions you buy will co-ordinate perfectly with your lampshade and base. As always, we are here to help. If you're stuck, give us a call or send us a picture of your room and we'll be happy to help with some suggestions.
Our lampshades have a fixed fitting that comes with a converter ring, making the shade compatible with either an E14 or an E27 bulb holder. Attach the shade directly to the base using the socket cap provided. You can then screw in a bulb of choice.
We make all of our lamp bases at our warehouse in Penryn. We have a dedicated lampshade making room and all of our shades are made for you when you order. This means that they aren't sitting around on a shelf getting damaged and so are pristine when they are sent out. It also means that we're quite flexible and can create shades for a particular project. We can make up to 1 metre in diameter and have sent shades all over the world.
You might like to join our Cream Collective Facebook page where we can give you tips and advice. We love interiors and can help you with your choices if you're stuck.
Just send us an email and we'll be in touch.
Rebecca and Allison
2 comments
I love all your stock : such amazing designs ! I am a potential customer : very tempting !
Annie Benfield
Looks amazing.unforgetable…how to choose ? very helpful comments thank you.
Linda Gardiner
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