A paper lantern lamp wraps the light source in a shade of paper stretched over thin ribs. The paper hides the bulb and turns it into a soft, even glow with no hard shadows. The form comes from the Japanese paper lantern, and it is the reason these lamps sit so easily in Japandi and Scandinavian rooms.
Paper or silk: what changes
| Paper shade | Silk shade | |
|---|---|---|
| Look when off | Matte, with visible ribs | Smooth fabric with a slight sheen |
| Light | Soft and diffused | Soft and diffused |
| Typical use | Floor lamps and wall lamps | Pendant lights |
To build a whole Japandi room around a paper lantern, see our guide to Japandi lighting for the bedroom and living room.
Paper wall lamps
The Japanese Kraft Paper Cube Wall Lamp is a kraft paper cube with stitched twine edges, about 20 cm wide and 23 cm high. The whole cube glows through the paper, with a soft halo on the wall around it. It is offered in warm 3000K, neutral 4500K or cold 6000K light.
For the same lantern look in a wipeable material, the Japanese Louvered Slat Wall Lamp stacks flared slats into a square that recalls a folded paper lantern. It is made of PLA plastic and iron, in two sizes.
Silk lantern pendant lights
| Model | Size | Cord |
|---|---|---|
| Round Silk Globe Pendant | Ø 25 × H 26 cm | 150 cm |
| Tall Oval Silk Lantern Pendant | Ø 30 × H 40 cm | 150 cm |
| Japanese Silk Oval Pendant Light | Ø 40 × H 22 cm or Ø 50 × H 28 cm | 150 cm |
All three come in warm white by default, with cool white or neutral white on request, and are not dimmable. For a woven natural shade, see our guide to rattan pendant lights.
Paper and fabric lanterns that light the walls and ceiling help a small, low room feel taller: see our guide to lighting for low ceilings.
For silk, fabric and glass lanterns side by side, with how many to hang over a table or island, see our guide to lantern pendant lights.
Frequently asked questions
What light does a paper lantern lamp give?
A soft, diffused glow. The whole shade lights up, so the light is even and without glare.
Where does a paper lantern floor lamp work best?
In a living room corner, beside a sofa or in a bedroom.
Are silk lantern pendants dimmable?
The three silk lantern pendants above are not dimmable.
See all models in our Japandi and Wabi-Sabi lighting collection.
