Different Types of Lampshade Shapes

Lamp Shade Shapes

Once the use of electric light became common place in households at the start of the 20^th century there has been a requirement of lampshades to mask the harsh effects of the light and to add an element of class and design to home lighting.

There are a number of classic lampshade design shapes and in this article we look at five classic lampshade shapes and the different moods and lighting effects that each of the shade shapes can help to create.   

A well-chosen lamp with the right bulb, shade and position can add that extra touch of class and drama to a room.

Empire Lamp Shade

The Empire Lamp Shade is the most common type of lamp shade and is designed with gently sloping sides to the bottom so that the top is narrower than the bottom but within stylishly proportion.  Empire shades come in a wide range of sizes, finishes and can be used for celling lamps or standing lamps.

The empire style fits well in Victorian styled rooms. It is mostly commonly used in table lamps and the top diameter should be half the size of the bottom diameter.

Bell Lamp Shade

The design of the bell lampshade is similar to that of the empire shade with an added touch of 1950’s glamour. The design has the narrow top and wide bottom of the empire but has more flair in terms of a bell shaped wave at the end. They are popular for table lamps and floor lamps.

Drum Lamp Shade

Drum lampshades are flatter than both the bell and empire lampshade shapes. The have the shape of a snare drum with the top and bottom of the shade the same size with a thinner middle connecting the top and bottom.

Retro drum shades are more open at the top with a steeper slope than the classic empire and bell shapes. Drum lampshades work well on table lamps and on the ceiling of larger rooms. Drum lamp shades are great because they can diffuse light outward through the shade fabric, but they also reflect light downward and upward where it can light up the ceiling.

Tube Lamp Shade

Tube lamp shades tend to be the most common type of lampshade that you see in homes. They are very similar to the drum shade, the opening at top and bottom are the same size, however the central piece of the shade is much wider and longer.

They are commonly used in bathrooms, hallways, landings and kitchens. Tube lampshades have been in production since the early 1900’s but the design can be keep very contemporary with modern materials and finishes.

Coolie

The coolie lampshade is sometime called the flare lamphade. Coolie’s feature a sharp pitch between a narrow top and a much wider opening at the bottom. A coolie lampshade works very well with certain table lamps – especially end table lamps

It is very close in term of design to that of the bell shade. However the coolie lampshade is shorter and squatter with a more pronounced difference between the top and bottom of the shade.

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