Lighting plays an important role in creating a warm and welcoming living space. Many homeowners rely on lamps to supplement their lighting needs. A lamp can provide you with the limited amount of light needed to read, watch television, or create an intimate environment within your home.

Lampshades can be thought of as the primary accessory that will adorn your lamps. The right shade can contribute to the cohesiveness of your room's design, while the wrong shade can look garish and out of place within your living space.

Custom lampshades provide the perfect solution when it comes to fitting your light fixtures with shades that will complement your interior design.

The first factor that you should take into consideration when investing in custom lampshades is the shape of your lamp base. It's best to mirror the shape of the base in the lampshade. If your base has curves and a rounded design, then a round lampshade will look best. A base that is angular will look best with a lampshade that is square or rectangular in design. 

Many homeowners choose to invest in candlestick lamp bases because these types of bases feature both curves and angles. This allows you to pair the base with either a square or circular shade to achieve your desired look. 

The location in which you plan to place your lamp should also influence the shape of your custom shade. A lamp that is near a bed or on a narrow side table will need a shade that can fit snugly against the wall to prevent the shade from being bumped. Rectangular shades are best for tight spaces. 

One of the biggest mistakes that homeowners make when adding lampshades to their light fixtures is purchasing shades that are not the right size. 

Proportion plays a critical role in determining the size your lampshade ought to be. You want the shade to be large enough to balance out the base, but not so large that it causes your light fixture to appear top-heavy. 

The diameter of the lampshade should also be proportionate to your base. Ideally, the shade will be slightly larger in diameter than the base of your lamp to help give your fixture a balanced appearance. Custom shades can be created to your exact measurements, making it easy to invest in shades that will complement unique or odd-sized lamp bases.

Once you have identified the correct size and shape for your custom lampshades, the real accessorizing can begin. Custom shades can be made from many different types of fabric.  Translucent shades made from light-colored woven fabric or paper provide ambient light and make good shades for reading lamps. Opaque shades made from darker materials direct light upward, allowing you to highlight valued art pieces. 

You also have the option to choose a smooth lampshade, which can create a contemporary look, or a pleated lampshade, which is more traditional and well-suited for antique bases. Embroidery, paint, and other decorative finishes can be used to give your custom lampshade the unique look required to help the light fixtures blend into your living space. 

The right lampshade is to your living space what jewelry is to your outfit. The shade must fit the place and the occasion for which it will be used most. By taking shape, size, and style into consideration as you select lampshades, you will end up with light fixtures that add to the beauty of your home. 

Contact Lamps & Lamp Shade Specialties today for help creating custom shades for your valued lamp bases. We can help you choose the perfect shades.