You can find endless online suggestions for which styles and shapes of lampshades go best with which lamps, but don’t be afraid to buck the trends and play around. (BestReviews)
To help keep harsh lamplight out of your eyes, covering the bulb with a shade is necessary. But if your lamp is on the small side, you need to consider the size of the lampshade carefully so that it properly fits and doesn't overwhelm your lamp.
The best small lampshade is the Alucset Small Lampshade. Its classic design is ideally suited for meshing with any home decor style, plus it comes in a few colors to make it even easier to blend.
"Small" is relative when it comes to lampshades, but it can be broken into two types: small generally or small comparatively.
Small lampshades come in many shapes but the most common are empire, bell and drum.
The fitter is what keeps a lampshade on the lamp. There are three types.
Small lampshades are made of many materials, but the most common are fabric and paper.
The lampshade lining, if it has one, has the largest effect on the light coming from the bulb. For example, thick linings block more light, while thin or absent lightings let out almost all light. Linings can also be colored, changing the color of the light.
As lampshades are typically open and the insides can be seen, linings are also frequently decorative.
They can cost as little as $15 or as much as $100 and up. Budget small lampshades shouldn’t cost more than $30 with more stylish ones typically running $30-$60. Anything more than $60 gets into designer territory.
A. To find the appropriate size lampshade, you need to take some measurements and do some calculations.
A. That depends on the material your lampshade is made of. Most can simply be dusted about once a week, inside and out. If it's been a while since you cleaned it and it's covered in grime, you need to wash it. Fabric lampshades can be gently washed in soapy water and let air dry. More delicate materials like paper or metals that might rust should alternatively be carefully wiped clean with a slightly wet cloth.
A. Yes. Customizing your lampshade is the easiest — and the most affordable — method of getting a truly unique look. The best material for customizing is paper as it's perfect for drawing or painting. You could also sew in strips of fabric on fabric lampshades or have a metal smith alter a metal lampshade.
Alucset Small Lampshade: available at Amazon
Our take: This is a classic from top to bottom.
What we like: The linen material enables a soft glow to permeate through and the wide bottom opening lets out plenty of bright, functional light. It comes in 10 designs so you can best match the colors of your room. It uses a spider fitter.
What we dislike: A few consumers received damaged lampshades or lampshades with dark marks only visible with light shining through. Others found some pictured colors and the actual color didn't match.
Alucset Double Mesh Small Lampshades: available at Amazon
Our take: These candelabra or chandelier lampshades are priced to make purchasing several a painless experience.
What we like: They use a clip-on fitter so they can fit on almost any appropriately sized light bulb. They're handmade and use linen for a soft glow, plus they come in gray, white or brown to match your decor. They're covered by a one-year warranty.
What we dislike: A few customers struggled to get them to stay even rather than slightly skewed. Others only received one lampshade instead of two.
Boncoo Clear Glass Lampshade: available at Amazon
Our take: This lampshade is perfect for those looking for something more modern.
What we like: The clear glass is perfect for letting stylish light bulbs shine and it's heat resistant so there's no need to worry about getting burned by touching it. It comes in single or double packs. Boncoo is quick to send a replacement if it arrives damaged.
What we dislike: You need to be diligent with cleaning as dust and grime are quick to settle. It can only be installed on hanging light fixtures.
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Jordan C. Woika is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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