Lamp Sizes, Lamp Shade Sizes and How to Match Them
Lamp shades come in various sizes, and it’s important to get the appropriate one for the lamp base. Although there’s room for variation, in general, if you’re looking for a lamp shade for a table lamp, it’s best to select a shade with a height of around 2/3 the height of the lamp base. If you’re purchasing a shade for a floor lamp, you’ll want to choose one with a height of around 1/3 the height of the base.
At Lowe’s you may find some lamp shades and bases labeled according to their size (small, medium, large and extra-large). In most cases, you can easily match the shade size to the base size using this system in the store without measuring. For example, you should be able to pair a medium lamp base with a medium lamp shade. Lamp bases are categorized by their height when measured from the base to the top of the socket. Here’s a breakdown of how you may see some lamp bases labeled (see the diagram below for reference) as well as tips on how to use them:
- Small lamp bases (10 to 14 inches) are well suited for small rooms such as bathrooms and kids rooms, as well as accent lighting and shelves.
- Medium bases (15 to 21 inches) work for normal-sized bedrooms.
- Large and extra-large bases (more than 22 inches) are best for larger bedrooms and living rooms.
Lamp shades, on the other hand, are categorized at Lowe’s according to their bottom diameter (see the next section for details on measuring). Sizes include:
- Small lamp shades (3 to 6 inches)
- Medium lamp shades (7 to 12 inches)
- Large lamp shades (13 to 16 inches)
- Extra-large lamp shades (17 inches and larger)
If you’re leaning toward a smaller size shade in proportion to a lamp’s base, ensure the top diameter is the same diameter as the lamp’s base or wider so the shade won’t look mismatched.
Measuring a Lamp Shade
When trying to measure a lamp shade for replacement or for when you need to purchase a new base and shade, you’ll need to understand which dimensions are important to capture. If you’re replacing an existing shade, your safest bet is to measure the lamp base at home so that you can bring those measurements to the store and choose a new shade with similar dimensions. Here’s the best way to go about determining the right dimensions (see the diagram of a large lamp shade below for an example):
- Begin by removing the shade from the lamp base (if replacing a shade) so you can easily rotate it to get precise measurements.
- Using a tape measure, measure the top of the shade from one edge to the other, taking care to hold the tape as close to the center as possible to get the correct diameter.
- Next, turn the lamp shade upside down and repeat the same technique to get the bottom diameter.
- To measure the height of your shade, sit it down on a table or other flat surface and measure vertically from the top edge down to the bottom edge.
Lamp Shade Types and Materials
Once you know how to match a lamp shade to a base in terms of size, you’ll want to think about some design possibilities. As always with home décor, feel free to let the room’s theme, wall color and your own creativity guide the selection process. However, here are a few other pointers to keep in mind that’ll help ensure a harmonious pairing:
- Make sure the lamp shade covers all the lamp hardware, including the switch, so it won’t look too small. However, if a decorative pull chain is part of the lamp design, you may want to pick a shade short enough to allow the chain to hang slightly below or add an attractive pull-chain extender.
- When it comes to choosing an ornate shade versus one with a less busy style, if the lamp base is very ornate and you want it to stand out, a simpler shade won’t detract from the design. If the lamp itself is less ornate, however, a bolder shade design can add a lot of visual interest.
Lamp shades are also made from a wide variety of materials. Some of the most popular include silk, paper, fabric, linen, glass and even natural materials like sea grass. While the material a lamp shade is made from has a huge impact on its overall style and appearance, there’s another consideration as well — namely, how much light the shade allows to escape from the bulb:
- More opaque shade materials, such as thick paper, silk or linen, won’t allow as much ambient light to escape and will mostly emit light in a focused column out of the top and bottom of the shade. This can work well for accent lighting or illuminating designated areas such as a cozy corner.
- Lamp shades made of more translucent materials will emit a softer, ambient light that’ll do a better job of brightening an entire room.
For more help, see our Lamp Buying Guide.
Types of Lamp Shade Fittings
Lamp shades attach to lamp bases in varying ways. There are two different types of lamp shade mounts that you’ll find most commonly. The first is the spider harp design, which attaches to a U-shaped saddle component located near the socket and is secured at the top with a finial that screws into place. The second is an uno harp design. To install a shade with an uno harp fitting, unscrew the light bulb, place the shade fitting onto the socket and then screw in the light bulb.
In addition, some chandelier lamp shades come with a bulb clip. This type of shade is designed to be exclusively paired with a candelabra base.
If the lamp has an uno fitting but you’ve chosen a spider shade, you can typically add a harp without doing any electrical work if the lamp base has a saddle.
Lamp Shades and Bulb Wattage
Not only should you choose the right size lamp shade for the sake of appearance, but there’s also an important safety and functionality consideration, especially if you’re using an incandescent bulb. A light bulb needs to be a certain number of inches away from the shade both to prevent a fire and to ensure the right amount of light escapes the shade. The greater the wattage, the more space you’ll need between the bulb and the interior edge of the shade. Here’s some general guidance.
For medium-sized light bulbs:
- 25-watt bulbs require 1.5 inches of space.
- 25- to 40-watt bulbs require 2 inches of space.
- 40- to 60-watt bulbs require 2.5 inches of space.
- 75- to 100-watt bulbs require 3 inches of space.
- 150-watt bulbs require 4 inches of space.
For candelabra-style bulbs:
- 25-watt bulbs require 1.75 inches of space.
- 25- to 40-watt bulbs require 2 inches of space.
- 40- to 60-watt bulbs require 2.5 inches of space.