How To Know What Size Lampshade To Buy

Measure lamp for shade size.

How to know what size lampshade to buy.

Calculate this by measuring the widest part of your lamp base and multiplying it by two. Don t slim down too much. Be sure of the fitting you need. Floor lamp shades should clear the widest part of the bulb by at least 3 5 on each side of the bulb unless using compact fluorescent bulb.

Your shade should be about two thirds the height of your lamp base give or take an inch. The bottom edge of the lampshade should fall midway on the neck of the lamp. Video by beau sam. Make sure the lamp shade is wider than the widest part of your lamp body.

You don t want the socket or the switch to be visible. If you ever come home from the antique market with a new lamp base sans lampshade take heed of this golden rule before rushing out to grab any old covering. So now that you know your lamp base shape it s time to grab a tape measure. Choosing your lampshade s diameter width your lampshade should be at least 2x wider than the widest part of the base.

Lampshade size is usually expressed in terms of its diameter 16 shade has a diameter of 16. If your lampshade is tapered the bottom of the shade follows this criteria. Similarly many design experts suggest that shade s width be roughly equivalent to the visible height of the lamp base. The best shade will mimic the base of the lamp and the shape of the table.