Add Some Flair with These 5 Lamp Shade Replacements
Is your living room craving an instant refresh? Do those outdated lamp shades leave you seeing your space in a not-so-flattering light? Before you banish your floor lamps to the curb, take heart. Sometimes all you need is a simple lamp shade swap to revive tired lighting fixtures.
With the right new shade, your 5 light floor lamp can shine brighter than ever. Read on as we explore five lively replacement lampshade options guaranteed to add some flair!
Why Refresh Your Floor Lamps With New Shades?
Out with the old, in with the shade that's new! But why invest time tracking down replacement shades instead of buying new lamps altogether? Here's why a shade swap makes sense:
- Cost Savings - Quality floor lamps don't come cheap. Shade replacements provide revitalization on a budget.
- Preserve Favorites - Hold onto meaningful lamps from the past with a contemporary shade style.
- Quick Fix - No special tools or talent required! Just pop off the old and pop on the new shade.
- Customize - Choose shade size, shape, color and material to match evolving style and needs.
Before selecting replacement lamp shades, take stock of your lighting landscape. What do your current shades say about the room? What do you hope new shades will accomplish? Answering these questions guides you to shades with maximum impact.
Choose the Correct Lamp Shade Size
One size does not fit all when it comes to lamp shades. To maintain lighting functionality, scale and proportion matter. Follow this criteria for choosing properly-sized 5 light floor lamp replacement shades:
2.1 Measure Your Lamp Harp
The diameter of a lamp's harp (the wired frame) determines compatible shade widths. Use a measuring tape to gauge harp size or shade opening if reusing an existing shade frame. Replacement shades should equal the harp measurement.
2.2 Consider Lamp Base Size
Scale shade size up or down depending on lamp base height. An oversized shade paired with a diminutive base looks oddly out of proportion. Similarly, a petite shade floating atop a tall pillar lamp misses the design mark. For maximum cohesion, have shade width align with base width at its widest point.
2.3 Factor in Room Size
The scale equation extends beyond individual lamps to the surrounding space. A room with low ceilings calls for shorter shades with smaller diameters. Conversely, taller shades better suit rooms with high ceilings. Shades sized disproportionately to the room disrupt aesthetic flow and perceived scale.
Match Lamp Design Style and Function
When selecting replacement shades, make sure form aligns with function in service of your desired design style. Task lighting needs differ from ambient whole-room illumination or accent spotlights.
3.1 Contemporary Style
Does your decor skew modern and minimal? Then opt for replacement lamp shades with clean lines and simplified forms. Consider spare drum or cylinder shapes in monochromatic neutrals. Let unusual or edgy base materials like acrylic, steel, or stone take the starring role.
3.2 Traditional Style
Is your design style steeped in tradition? Complement classic furnishings and architectural detailing with shapely new shades. Look to tapered empire silhouettes or flared coolie shade shapes. Traditional gilded base lamps pair perfectly with fabric shades in equestrian plaids, toile patterns, or rich texture solids.
3.3 Task Lighting
Does your multi-bulb floor lamp provide targeted task lighting? Then visibility takes priority in shade style selection. Opt for streamlined open cylinder or box frames with sheer shades that freely admit helpful illumination. Avoid heavier opaque fabrics that compromise lighting utility.
Select Appropriate Lamp Shade Material
Material choice plays a key role in delivering desired decorative impact. Factor where the lamp lives along with personal priorities regarding durability, easy care and lighting quality.
4.1 Fabric Lamp Shades
Known for adding softness and texture, fabric remains a top choice for lamp shades. Tailor your selection to the lamp's purpose. Light-diffusing sheers work for ambient illumination. Opaque heavy-duty fabrics like canvas or linen better suit task lighting. For stain resistance and easy cleaning, choose synthetic blends over natural fibers.
4.2 Glass Lamp Shades
Do you crave shades with brilliant transparency? Then glass offers timeless appeal! Glass shades come in clear, colored, patterned, or frosted finishes. Limit glass to accent lighting fixtures. All-over room illumination risks uncomfortable glare.
4.3 Plastic and Acrylic Shades
For affordable design impact across lighting applications look to plastic and acrylic shade replacements. Both mimic pricier materials while offering durability and easy care. Clean simplicity suits contemporary spaces, while molded patterns provide traditional detail.
Enhance Lighting With Lamp Shade Shape
Optimal illumination requires selecting a lampshade shape aligned with bulb positioning. Consult this guide pairing common multi-bulb floor lamp harps with compatible shade silhouettes.
5.1 Drum Lamp Shades
Defined by height equaling width, these cylindrical forms work with both horizontal and vertical bulb alignment. Drum shades mounted sideways on horseshoe harps nuzzle neatly against bases without taking up excess floor space.
5.2 Coolie Lamp Shades
Coolie shades mimic Chinese rice worker hats with their inverted bell structure. Extra roominess accommodates bulbs mounted horizontally on arcing arms. These universally flattering forms spread peaceful ambient lighting.
5.3 Empire Lamp Shades
Marked by height exceeding width, the tailored tapered silhouette of empire shades suits formal settings. Vertical side-by-side bulb alignment on spider harps takes best advantage of the shapely shade interior. Enjoy balanced uplight and downlight distribution.
Calculate Number of Light Bulbs Needed
When selecting replacement shades tailored to 5 bulb floor lamps, factor wattage needs for room size and purpose. Follow lumens-per-square foot recommendations for optimal illumination.
6.1 Single Bulb Floor Lamps
Does your lighting fixture feature one exposed pendant style bulb? Then a single bulb torchiere lamp style likely best fits your needs. Power that solo bulb accordingly: Bedrooms = 60-100 watts, Living Rooms = 100-150 watts, Dining Rooms = 150-250 watts.
6.2 Multi Bulb Floor Lamps
Does your lamp base house 2 or more bulbs under separate shades as with popular horseshoe floor lamps? Then distribute wattage equally across the shades. Size shades to lampshade interior dimensions to avoid glare. Here's a properly proportioned wattage guideline per shade:
- 1- 50 watt bulb
- 2- 40 watt bulbs
- 3- 30 watt bulbs
- 4- 25 watt bulbs
Shop Top 5 Lamp Shade Looks
The decorative possibilities are endless when it comes to revitalizing tired 5 arm floor lamps with replacement shades. From neutral to bold, traditional to modern, fabric to glass -- there's a shade style sure to show your lighting fixtures in the best possible light! Consider one of these top 5 looks:
7.1 Neutral Tone Fabric Shades
You can't go wrong enhancing a casual family room or bedroom with replacement fabric shades in versatile, welcoming neutrals. Choose durable off-white canvas for a classic look, or opt for warm greige linen. Neutral shades recede, letting striking lamps take center stage.