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Lamp Shades |
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Lamp Shade Features, Styles, and Sizes |
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![]() When selecting shades for lamps, three things should be considered:
If the role of the lamp is to create focused light, such as that used for reading or doing tasks, the shade should be large enough for a higher-wattage bulb, and should also have a large enough bottom to cast light on the book or area where work is being done. On the other hand, if the goal is ambient light — light that is softly diffused around the room — a lamp shade with a larger opening in the top will allow light to bounce off the ceiling and spread around the room.
First of all, the lamp shade should be large enough to cover the socket and hardware of the lamp. In addition, the lamp shade and the lamp should never compete with one another. This means that if you have a particularly ornate lamp, you should choose a simple lamp shade. On the other hand, if the base of the lamp is simple, you may choose a more decorative lamp shade with good results. In terms of proportion, the size and shape of the lamp shade should be similar to the size and shape of the lamp. For example, a wide, square base will look best with a large, square shade, while cylindrical bases will look best with round and oval shades. Avoid mixing shapes, or putting wide shades on narrow lamps, and vice versa. Always make sure that the bottom of the lamp shade is wider than the widest part of the lamp base.
Finally, consider safety when choosing your lamp shade. The opening of the lamp shade must always be wide enough to adequately vent the heat from the light bulb. Generally, the narrower the opening of the lamp shade, the lower in wattage the light bulb should be. If a lamp shade is hot within ten minutes of turning your lamp on, it's a good indication that a lower wattage bulb is required. In addition, there should always be about three inches of clearance between the lamp shade and the light bulb. Lamp Shade Suppliers
Lamp Shades - Choosing a Lamp Shade |