How to Buy a Lampshade

Lampshades are so common that we don't think much about them until we need to buy one. With a bit of preparation you can get a nice shade that looks good on your lamp. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Buying a lampshade

1

Measure the existing shade across the top, bottom and side. Lampshade heights are measured by the slant of the shade. For a table lamp the bottom diameter is typically 16 inches or smaller. Floor lamps typically have a bottom diameter of 16 inches or larger. Measure the lamp height from the bottom of the lamp to the bottom of the socket (this is the area where the harp may be mounted). In general, your shade should be around the same measurement as the lamp height (to the bottom of the socket).

2

Determine what kind of shade the lamp uses. The lampshade will either clip onto the bulb, use a spider fitter that mounts to a harp (a wire frame that bends around the sides of the bulb) or use an UNO fitter that sits beneath the bulb. The way to distinguish between a spider and an UNO is that a spider fitter will mount on top of a harp and be secured into position with a finial.

3

Measure the harp. The bottom of the shade should just cover the lamp switch. The harp establishes the height from the base of the socket to the top of the shade.

4

Take photographs of the lamp and measure the width of the lamp base (for table lamps). This will illustrate the style of the lamp. The lampshade should match the style of the lamp and be compatible with the colors of the lamp. The shade should not compete with the base; instead, it should enhance the base. For floor lamps you don't need to know the width of the base.

5

Go to a lampshade store with the measurements and photographs. Select the new lampshade. The shade bottom should be wider than the widest part of the lamp base. The shade should also be wide if the lamp is used for reading.