A lamp shade is the cover that sits around a bulb to soften its glare and send the light where you want it. Its shape decides almost everything about the light: a straight drum glows evenly all around, a cone or a dome pushes the light down in a pool, a pleated fabric dish spreads it wide and soft. The main types of lamp shades are the drum, the empire (tapered), the bell, the dome, the cone, the pleated and scalloped shades, the globe or lantern, and glass shades such as the bankers and the stained glass shade. This guide explains each type, how it lights a room, and gives the real sizes of the shades on our own lamps, pendants and sconces.
The main types of lamp shades
- Drum: straight sides, the same width at the top and the bottom. It glows evenly and lets light out at both ends. The most versatile shape for modern rooms.
- Empire (tapered drum): narrower at the top than at the bottom. More light falls down than goes up. The classic shape on traditional table lamps.
- Bell: a tapered shade with a gently flared, curved lower edge. A softer, more decorative version of the empire.
- Dome: a rounded cap, often in metal or glass. The light comes out underneath, in a pool on the table or desk.
- Cone and slanted shades: a narrow top and a wide opening. Very directional light, good for reading.
- Pleated and scalloped: fabric folded into pleats, or cut in soft waves at the edge. The folds catch the light and add texture. We cover these in detail in our pleated and scalloped lamp shades guide.
- Globe and lantern: closed, rounded shades in silk, paper or glass that glow all over, like a lantern.
- Glass shades: the green or blue bankers shade, ribbed and fluted glass, and leaded stained glass, which colours the light.
- Novelty shapes: gable (roof-shaped), pagoda, half-moon or tube. Chosen as much for the silhouette as for the light.
Which light does each shade give?
| Shade type | Where the light goes | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Drum | Even glow through the fabric, light up and down | Living room, bedroom, centre of a room |
| Empire / tapered | Mostly down, some up | Bedside, side table, wall sconce |
| Dome (metal) | Down, in a pool; the shade itself stays dark | Desk, nightstand, sideboard |
| Cone / slanted | Focused, mostly in one direction | Reading corner, task light |
| Pleated dish | Down, with a soft wash up onto the ceiling | Dining table, living room |
| Globe / lantern | All around, soft and diffused | Bedroom, hallway, groups of pendants |
| Stained glass | Coloured glow, low brightness | Accent and mood light |
Our lamp shades by type: real sizes
All dimensions below come from our product pages. Ø is the diameter of the shade.
| Type | Model | Shade size | Shade material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drum | Fabric Drum Pendant with Iron Arcs | Ø 55 × H 45 cm or Ø 65 × H 45 cm | White fabric |
| Double drum | Hand-Knitted Cloth Pendant | Ø 45 × H 32, Ø 55 × H 34 or Ø 65 × H 40 cm | Off-white fabric, two tiers |
| Tapered drum | Mid Century Fabric Drum Wall Sconce | Size not stated on the product page | Fabric with contrast piping |
| Small fabric shade | Classic Fabric Wall Sconce | Ø 17 cm at the bottom, lamp H 23 cm | White fabric |
| Dome (metal) | Bauhaus Silver Dome Table Lamp | Dome Ø 30 cm, lamp H 39 cm | Aluminium and iron |
| Dome (fabric) | Wavy Fabric Pendant | Ø 45 × H 20, Ø 55 × H 25 or Ø 60 × H 27 cm | Natural textured fabric |
| Slanted cone | Wabi-Sabi Slanted Shade Floor Lamp | Ø 30 cm, lamp H 173 cm | Cream fabric |
| Pleated dish | Pleated Fabric Dish Pendant | Ø 50 × H 10 cm up to Ø 100 × H 18 cm | Pleated fabric |
| Scalloped | Cream Scalloped Fabric Pendant | Ø 40, 50 or 60 cm | Cream fabric |
| Tasselled | Tasselled Velvet Floor Lamp | Lamp H 158 cm (shade size not stated) | Caramel velvet with tassels |
| Tube | Cowhide Tube Floor Lamp | Ø 20 cm, lamp H 130 cm | Natural hide |
| Bankers glass | Cobalt Glass Bankers Desk Lamp | 26.5 cm wide, lamp H 36 cm | Cobalt blue glass |
| Stained glass | Blue Stained Glass Tiffany Lamp | Ø 20 cm, lamp H 36.5 cm | Hand-cut stained glass |
| Gable | Cordless Gable Shade Table Lamp | Lamp H 22 × W 15 × D 10 cm | ABS |
Is the shade the right size for the base? A quick check
A rule of thumb often used for table lamps is that the shade should be roughly twice as wide as the base. Wider looks generous and soft; narrower looks slim and modern. Here is how our table lamps compare, using the figures on their product pages:
| Lamp | Base Ø | Shade Ø | Shade ÷ base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cordless Marble Table Lamp | 7 cm | 17 cm | 2.4 × |
| Bauhaus Silver Dome Table Lamp | 16 cm | 30 cm | 1.9 × |
| Blue Stained Glass Tiffany Lamp | 11.5 cm | 20 cm | 1.7 × |
| Cobalt Glass Bankers Desk Lamp | 18 cm | 26.5 cm | 1.5 × |
Use the same check if you are replacing a shade on a lamp you already own: measure the widest part of the base, double it, and look for a shade close to that figure. Then check the height: the bottom of the shade should hide the bulb and the socket when you are seated next to the lamp.
Fabric, silk, glass or metal?
Fabric and silk diffuse the light and give a warm glow; see our silk and fabric pendant lights guide. Glass either glows all over (opal, ribbed) or colours the light (stained glass). Metal shades stay dark and send all the light out of the opening. Whatever the material, a warm white bulb keeps fabric and glass looking their best: see warm white vs cool white. To keep a shade looking new, read how to clean lamp shades.
To see these shades on complete lamps, read our guide to the types of table lamps, with heights and shade sizes for twelve models; for shades grouped on a ceiling fitting, see the types of chandeliers.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common types of lamp shades?
Drum, empire (tapered), bell, dome and cone are the most common shapes, followed by pleated, scalloped, globe and glass shades.
What is the difference between a drum and an empire lamp shade?
A drum has straight sides and the same width top and bottom, so it lights up and down evenly. An empire is narrower at the top, so more light falls down.
What size lamp shade do I need?
A common rule of thumb is a shade about twice as wide as the base of the lamp. Our table lamps range from 1.5 to 2.4 times the base width.
See all our shades on lamps in the table lamps, floor lamps and fabric and silk pendant lights collections.
