Lampshades

A desk lamp is not just another light fixture in a room. Apart from the functional side of it as a source of diffused ambient light, they are also a decorative element. But the showiest part of a desk lamp is not the bulb or even the base; it is the lampshade.

The decorations in your home can tell a lot about your personality. It can tell whether you are into antique, sci-fi, minimalism, or if you have a flair for arts. A table lamp and a lampshade are therefore things that can add personality to your home. Or to be more specific, they can reflect your personality. Fortunately, lampshades are one of the best ways to do this because of the wide range of choices and designs. But before you go shopping for them, read this article to know more. Having a better understanding of various aspects of them can help you make better purchase decisions when you shop.

Different types of lamp shades for interior decoration

A lampshade serves more than one purpose. The essential purpose of it is to stop glare from a table lamp and to provide a soft and diffused light. However, lampshades also serve as a decorative element in the room. And although there are so many different kinds of lampshades, the major difference lies in the material that they use. The material can dictate everything from the style of the shade to its price and durability. Here is a list of the four most common types of materials that are found in lampshades.

Barkcloth table lamp shade

These lampshades are for those people who prioritise both sustainability and design. If you think about it, barkcloth is one of the oldest types of fabrics. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t look any good. In fact, this cloth will look like animal leather at first sight. It is pretty durable, as well. Every tree bark will have a unique texture and pattern that is different from any other bark. So, no two bark cloths are identical. So, if you want a lampshade that is not like the mass-produced ones that look the same to one another, your best option is a barkcloth lamp shade. But these are a bit expensive because of all the work that is involved in the making.

Linen lamp shades

These shades offer unlimited possibilities for customisation and intricate detailing. Linen is a pretty common type of fabric. But the detailing that goes into linen lamp shades can change the appearance of the lamp completely and give it a high-end luxury look. It is also possible to dye these lampshades in a variety of different ways. Some brands offer linen shades with a beautiful dip-dye effect. And if you are an artsy person, you can make your own design on these shades using fabric paints. When you are shopping for linen shades, the things to look for are the stitching pattern and the use of dyes in the fabric.

Belly braided ceiling lamp shades

Here is something if you fancy a handcrafted lampshade made of 100 per cent biodegradable material. Braided ceiling lamp shades make use of natural fibres from bamboo and other types of grass. Apart from the weave itself, there will be some solid pieces of wood to give the whole thing a structure. This type of lamp gives the light that comes out of it a warm glow. But one downside is that the brightness of the light will be substantially low as the material is inherently opaque. Also, the small holes in the shade might cause some fringing effect of light.

Velvet drum shades

A modern looking living room requires a lampshade with a futuristic design. The velvet itself is an atypical material for lampshades. Because they are thick and do not let the light pass through them, there aren’t many shades that use velvet. The drum shape of the shade and the velvet covering means the light only comes out through the bottom of the shade. This feature is ideal for ceiling lights that people use for reading. It can angle the beam towards the surface you want without lighting up the whole room. Such indoor lighting can create a dramatic atmosphere.