Worried about mismatching colours, styles or patterns? We’ve made it super simple to help choose the right high quality lampshade for your home with this straightforward guide.
Choosing a lampshade sounds easy right? Maybe not…
Two challenges to tackle:
1. Matching your lampshade to your decor,
2. Matching your lampshade to the base of the lamp itself.
Add to that, the copious difference sizes, shapes and fabric choices, it becomes even more crucial to find the perfect pick.
With all this taken into consideration, we’ve put together our top tips to help you make an informed decision on the many different types of lampshades on offer.
How do I choose the right lampshade size?
When it comes to choosing the right lampshade, sizing should be at the top of your list.
The way we see it, sizing a lampshade is similar to the right sized coat; if it’s too big or small, it can just not look right and a bit out of place. You’ll need a similar approach when choosing a lampshade size for your lamp.
Once you get your proportions right, the effect is harmonious and oddly satisfying! A more in depth description of choosing the right size for your lampshade is below.
What size lampshade is best for a table lamp?
- The height of the lampshade should be about 1/3 of the height of your lamp, Eg. If your table lamp is 50cm tall, you should choose a lampshade that is roughly 25cm tall.
- The width of your lampshade should be about 2 times larger the base of your lamp base, Eg. If your table lamp has has a base width of 20cm, you should choose a lampshade that is roughly 40cm in diameter.
- When choosing a cylinder/ cone lampshade, this is slightly different. Usually with extra tall lampshades, the height of the lampshade should be 2/3 of the height of your lamp, Eg. If your table lamp is 25cm tall, you should choose a cylinder/ cone lampshade that is 50cm tall. The width of your lampshade should be either the same width or slightly smaller than your lamp, Eg. If the width of your lamp is 30cm, then you should choose a lampshade that is either 25cm or 30cm in diameter.
If you’re torn between two lampshade sizes, it’s generally better to go for the larger. However, if you have a taller, thinner lamp it may be suited to a slightly smaller lampshade than suggested.
Floor lamps will generally take a larger lampshade, usually 40cm/45cm diameter or larger.
Matching the shade size with the room
You’ll need to think carefully about your space, where you’re planning your lampshade to go.
For example, a small lampshade could look out of place in a large room, especially if it the only lamp / lampshade in the room, whereas a large, mostly empty room can support a much larger floor lamp / lampshade than a smaller one.
If its a lampshade for a table lamp you’re looking for, you’ll need to consider what else you’ll have in your room, eg. what table your lamp will be placed on, what furnishings will be placed next to, or near to the lamp / lampshade.
How do I choose the best lampshade shape?
Choosing the right lampshade will transform your interior design.
Most importantly, keep in mind the lamp base, the position of the lamps in the room and the room as a whole. For a united look, match the shape of your lampshade to the shape of your base, Eg. A round lampshade with a round base.
Round lampshades are our most popular lampshade shape among our customers, but an advantage of our oval lampshades is that you’re able to place them right up against a wall. This can be really handy if you have limited space, Eg. On a narrow table.
Below are a few lampshade styles that are really popular with our customers
French drum lampshades
French drum, empire lampshades are classic and timeless in terms of lampshade styles.
Their classic shape are widely seen throughout almost every type of interior design style, whether you’re a lover of maximalist, contemporary, Scandinavian or country, its incredibly easy to work this style into your home aesthetic. 
Cone & cylinder lampshades
Sleek and elegant, extra tall lampshades are a go to with our customers.
With the opportunity to showcase bold patterns and block colours, extra tall lampshades become a statement piece to any interior. Great for narrow spaces, slim hallways and creating a bold impact in any design style.
Drum lampshades
Perfect for modern, contemporary interiors, with their clean and sophisticated look.
Straight sided drum shades, offer a symmetrical design and can give that statement, eye catching look we’re all looking for. Allowing light to be distributed evenly from the top and bottom, great for illuminating your space.
Coolie empire lampshades
Coolie lampshades are right on trend with their stand out look. With a wide base and steep sided slopes, a coolie empire shade is a winner in our interior design books.
Offering a downward softly diffused light, adding atmosphere and warmth to your space.
Oval lampshades
Oval lampshades are ideal for when you’re tight on space. With a flat front and back, ovals are great when you have a narrow table or smaller space that yearns for light.
Available in many sizes these are great when you’re looking for something a little different to the standard circular drum option.
How do I choose the lampshade material?
Lampshades come in a wide variety of quality fabrics.
At Bypoppyuk, we’ve got a few that we absolutely love to use, yet the options are endless, and there is so much to choose from to suit your personal style.
We’ve listed a few options that work great for lampshades.
Cotton lampshades
Cotton is such a durable and versatile material when it comes to lampshades. Whether you want plain and subtle or bright and bold, cottons are very happy to accommodate to all styles.
Cotton gives off such a wonderful natural quality when used for lampshades, with a huge variety of colours and patterns to choose from, here at Bypoppyuk we absolutely LOVE to bring you unique and stand out pieces. 
Linen lampshades
Natural linen can look so smart in bold, plain colours.
Linen is lightweight and gives a rustic and natural quality to your lampshades. Along with cotton, linen lampshades can allow more light physically through the lampshade, in comparison to a velvet fabric.
Velvet lampshades
Our velvet lampshades are the front runners with our customers, and come in such a beautiful selection of colours and patterns.
We use the high quality, plain and digitally printed velvet, and create a truly stand out lampshade. Velvet tends to give a more opaque finish, only allowing light to pass through slightly, with the majority of light shining from the top and bottom of the lampshade.
What lining is the best choice for me?
White lined lampshades
White lined lampshades are the staple in the world of lampshades. A white lining is so widely used when making lampshades and you can definitely see why.
A white lined lampshade offers a bright, reflecting glow, and dependant on the exterior fabric can give a different vibe through fabric choice.
On a whole, a white lining, no matter what fabric is chosen, offers the most light through the lampshade as opposed to double sided or a metallic lining. 
Metallic brushed lined lampshades
Metallic, brushed lined lampshades, are just like they sound… luxurious.
Available in gold, silver and copper, our range of metallic brushed lampshades offer an amazing addition to your home. When lit, these linings truly shine and can be easily styled into your interior. Match easily with your lamp, fixtures and other home decor items.
Metallic lined shades tend to allow less light through the lampshade, yet will allow more light from the top and bottom of the lampshade.
Double sided lampshades
Double sided lampshades need a mention in our ultimate guide, as in my personal opinion, these are such a statement when it comes to interior design.
Whether you opt for a bright cotton interior or a unique patterned paper interior, the options are endless. Double sided shades tend to be more opaque, similar to velvet, this is due to the fact that you have not just one layer of fabric, but two, as well as the rigid PVC backing material.
How do I choose the right lampshade for my home?
Now this is where the fun begins…
From solid, bright cottons, and french drum empires to standout patterned velvets and extra tall cylinders, you WILL find the right lampshade to suit your decor.
Refresh your space with new lampshades, it is such an effective and quick way to revitalise your room, and a lot cheaper than a full home makeover!
If you’re ever in need of a bit of extra guidance, our emails are always open to questions you may have, whether its to do with size, style or fabric choices, email us via bypoppyuk@gmail.com for advice, custom fabric options and guidance with lampshade fittings.
Do lampshades have to match my colour scheme?
Not necessarily, remember that colour wheel we used in art class? Complementary colours can be a great choice when choosing lampshades, Eg. Our burnt orange velvet could be a great addition to a navy blue colour scheme, Or our sage green cotton could be paired with a pink/ purple colour scheme.
Lampshades are a great way to add a pop of colour to your space into an otherwise subtle, understated room. A bright or patterned lampshade can really elevate your space without breaking the bank.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with your interiors, different patterns and colour combinations on paper may seem like they wouldn’t work, but when brought together can create a space that’s truly magical and looks incredible!
Find your new lampshades with Bypoppyuk today!
We hope you found this guide helpful in making your choice of lampshades and if you need anymore help please do email us at bypoppyuk@gmail.com
We are proud to announce that we will be releasing a range of hand turned wooden lamps this year, this is something we have been working towards for a long time and are so proud that the time is nearly here, to offer lamps that really complement our lampshades.
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