How to Choose the Right Lampshade Size – A Simple Guide

The right shade can make a good lamp look wonderful, and the wrong one can make even a beautiful base look awkward. Too small and the lamp looks top-heavy and pinched; too big and it swamps the base and the table it stands on. The good news is that getting it right comes down to a few simple measurements – and you only need a tape measure.

Start by measuring your base

Measure the base from the bottom to the top of the bulb holder – not to the top of the switch or the finial. This is the figure we give for every lamp base on our website, so you can compare like with like. Then measure the base at its widest point.

1. Shade diameter: about the same as the base height

The simplest rule of thumb is that the diameter across the bottom of the shade should be roughly the same as the height of the base, give or take 5cm. The shade should also be clearly wider than the widest part of the base – usually around one and a half to two times as wide – so the base doesn't look as if it is bursting out from underneath.

A few examples from our own range:

• The Ilmos ceramic lamp is 29cm to the bulb holder and 17cm across, and sits perfectly under a 30cm tapered shade.
• The whitewashed rattan tea caddy lamp is 47cm tall and 25cm across, and takes a 40cm tapered shade or a 45cm coolie.
• The Grand Textured Urn lamp is 52cm tall with a 40cm-wide base – a big lamp that needs a generous shade to balance it.

2. Shade height: around half to two-thirds of the base

A shade that is too tall makes a lamp look like a hat on a stick; too shallow and it looks like a lid. Aim for a shade height of roughly half to two-thirds of the base height. Our 30cm Oberon tapered shade, for example, is 18cm tall – just right for a base of around 30cm.

3. Think about where the lamp will live

• Bedside tables: a total lamp height of around 45–60cm usually works best, with the bottom of the shade at about chin level when you're sitting up in bed. Small bases with 30–35cm shades are ideal – see our small lamps.
• Consoles and sideboards: you can go taller and wider – 65–80cm overall – but check the depth of the table first. Most console tables are 35–45cm deep, so a shade wider than the table will hit the wall. On a narrow hall console, a 35–40cm tapered shade is usually the safest choice.
• Living rooms and side tables: a pair of matching lamps either side of a sofa looks best when the bottom of the shades sits at roughly eye level when you're seated.

4. Choose the shape

• Tapered – the classic. Works on almost any base and suits country and traditional interiors. Our Oberon tapered shades come in oatmeal, off white and limestone.
• Coolie – low and wide, casting a generous pool of light downwards. Lovely on rounded, squat or chunky bases, and good for reading. See the Ariel coolie or our 48cm taped coolie for larger lamps.
• Cylinder – straight sides for a cleaner, more contemporary look, best on taller, slimmer bases. Browse cylinder lampshades.
• Scalloped, pleated and gathered – for a softer, cottage feel. Try the Imala scalloped shade in heritage olive or the block-printed Empire shade.
• Wicker – throws a beautiful patterned light and suits relaxed and coastal rooms. See our handmade wicker shades.

5. Colour and fabric change the light

An off white shade lets more light through for a brighter, crisper glow. Oatmeal and darker linens give a warmer, softer light that feels cosy in the evening. Textured linen adds depth even when the lamp is off.

Our Oberon and Ariel sizes at a glance

Coolies are wider by design, so they suit a slightly shorter base than a tapered shade of the same diameter.

The easy way: let us pair it for you

Most of our table lamps are offered with a choice of shades we have already matched to the base, and we list the total height with each shade so you know exactly how it will look. If you have a base of your own and aren't sure, send us a photo with its height and we'll happily suggest a shade – or come and see the full range at our Warwickshire showroom.

Explore all our lampshades and table lamps.