Make Your Room Over With A Replacement Lamp Shade

By: Joanne Dorin


All of us are aware of how important or room dcor is to set the atmosphere. Our dcor can make a room cozy, romantic, relaxing, inviting, or set any other ambiance. And you can instantly make your room over with the right replacement lamp shade.

The right new shade will provide a new look to your room. Use it to freshen up your existing furniture, match to your new paint dcor, or compliment to a pillow makeover. Finding a new shade for a lamp base you already have is pretty simple. Just follow these guidelines.

1. Measure for size
In order to replace your shade you need four measurements. You need to measure the top diameter, the bottom diameter, the vertical slant, and the vertical height. Once you've got these measurements you'll be ready to go shopping for a new shade.

2. Shade Height
You need to make sure that the shade you choose is no more than 3/4 of the height of the base. Any more will throw the balance of the lamp off. The width of the shade needs to extend past the widest part of the base of the lamp and it needs to be long enough to cover all electrical fittings and the socket.

3. Shape
The shape of the shade should reflect the shape and curves of the lamp to some degree. For example an urn shaped lamp would look terrible with a big square shade but would look delightful with a flared shade that had the same basic shape as the lamp. While a square shade would look awesome on a big square wood Missionary lamp base.

4. Risers
These are the pieces that allow you to adjust the shade so it fits perfect. The harps are the metal pieces that attach to the lamp saddle and hold the shade in place. They are what you use to vary the height of the shade.

The risers screw onto the harps and can be used to adjust the lamp shade slightly. They are available in " to 2" sizes.

5. Harps
The harps are sizes start at 7" and go up to 12" in 1" increments. They can be purchased light or heavy weight depending on the size of your shade.

6. Fittings
There are different types of fittings used on different lamps. The spider fittings are on floor lamps and table lamps. The Uno is used on small lamps such as accent and bedroom lamps as well as those with a swing arm. The clip on is used on chandeliers and some small accent lamps.

7. The look
Just like in fashion it's all about the look. Once you know the size and shape you want for your shade you can narrow your search down substantially. Now you can start to hunt for shades within your basic criteria based on material type, patterns, and a host of other factors.

8. Price
Set your budget and stick to it. You can find replacement shades for as little as $20 or as much as $2000. And it's very easy to get caught up in the moment and spend more than you wanted to. If you set your budget before you begin your shopping then you've got one more factor to narrow down your search.

Your home is your palace and it should reflect the mood and ambiance you want others to feel when they enter your palace.

Joanne is an author of Decorz.com. If you're looking for more lighting decor ideas for your home visit http://www.decorz.com.