Choosing the Perfect Made to Measure Lampshades for Your Home
Done well, lighting has the power to transform your room from simply functional to deeply atmospheric.
Overhead lighting is essential for allowing you to move safely through a space – but table lamps and floor lamps bring something different entirely. When contrasted with shadows, these gentle pools of light make your room feel warm and cosy, creating the sort of atmosphere that invites you to settle down and truly relax. Made to measure lampshades come into their own here, adding not only illumination, but character and cohesion too. But how do you choose the perfect fabric lampshades for your home?
Things to consider when choosing made to measure lampshades
1) Consider the size – proportion is everything
There are no set rules when it comes to selecting a lampshade size, but you do need to think about proportion. If you get the proportions right, your lamp will feel grounded and elegant rather than top-heavy or undersized.
As a rough guide, the width of the shade at its base should be roughly the same as the height of the lamp base, and ideally wider than the base itself. The height of the shade should be around two-thirds of the lamp base height.
Top tip: If you’re refreshing your living room with some new made to measure curtains, we recommend choosing your lamps at the same time. This will ensure the proportions work together, which will make the whole room feel more composed.
2) Think about colour and light
Colour plays a key role in how light behaves. If you’re opting for overhead pendant fittings, why not get a little bit creative and choose two complementary colours: one for the outside and one for the lining?
We recommend choosing a lighter inside fabric, as this will allow the light to diffuse softly through the shade. The paler the exterior fabric, the more light will filter into the room; the darker the exterior fabric, the more up/down directional the light becomes. Our Simple Ticking Detail design works perfectly for lampshades, offering subtle pattern and colour without overwhelming the space.
Top tip: If you’re not sure which fabric to choose, we recommend ordering some samples first and viewing them in the room at different times of the day. Natural and artificial light can dramatically change how a colour feels, so it’s worth taking the time to get your fabric right.
3) Select the perfect pattern – but mind the scale
When choosing the perfect pattern for your fabric lampshades, you need to think about the scale of the design in relation to the height of the shade. The larger the pattern repeat, the taller the shade needs to be in order to showcase it properly. For example, our smaller-scale designs such as Little Fern, Dotty Check, and Dandelion Trellis work particularly well on petite shades, where their gentle rhythm can be fully appreciated without feeling crowded.
If you’ve got your eye on an empire shade (more on that below), remember that the fabric wraps around at an angle. We don’t recommend choosing striped fabrics for an empire shade, and instead suggest using them on drum shades where the vertical line can remain true.
Top tip: Step back and view your chosen fabric from a distance before making a final decision. A pattern that feels bold up close can actually look softer from a distance, helping you achieve a look that feels balanced and timeless rather than busy.
4) Weigh up the pros and cons of each shape
The shape of your lampshade has a huge impact on both the style of your interior and the way light is cast around the room. A drum shade has straight sides and a clean silhouette that feels slightly more contemporary than an empire shade. It pairs beautifully with substantial lamp bases or floor lamps.
On the other hand, an empire shade has gently sloping sides and feels more classical. It directs more light outwards at the base and makes the perfect addition to more traditionally styled rooms – particularly in drawing rooms and bedrooms where you want to achieve a softer, more romantic glow.
Top tip: Consider the overall character of the room before deciding on your lampshade shape. If it’s a more formal or traditional setting, we recommend an empire shade; but if your space is more modern, a drum shade could make the perfect addition.
5) Have fun with it!
Made to measure lampshades offer the ideal opportunity to inject some personality into your space. They’re the perfect way to either dip your toe into a new colour theme, or add the cherry on the cake to your existing interior scheme. So, the most important thing to remember when choosing your new fabric lampshades is to experiment and have a little bit of fun with it!
Bring light and warmth into your space with our made to measure lampshades
At Vanessa Arbuthnott, we offer a range of handmade bespoke lampshades in the UK in a fantastic selection of unique nature-inspired fabrics.
Each shade is made to order in your chosen design right here in the Cotswolds, ensuring it coordinates beautifully with your interior design scheme. Whether you’re refreshing your living room, updating your bedside lighting, or selecting a statement pendant, our fabric lampshades provide the perfect opportunity to introduce colour and pattern to your space with confidence.
Explore our made to measure lampshade collection and get ready to make your space feel just that little bit cosier.
FAQs
What are the benefits of choosing made to measure lampshades?
With made to measure lampshades, you can select the exact size, shape, and fabric that suits your interior scheme. You get a beautifully proportionate shade that feels cohesive and considered, rather than a generic off-the-shelf option.
Which fabrics work best for fabric lampshades?
At Vanessa Arbuthnott Fabrics, we offer a fantastic range of nature-inspired fabrics that work beautifully on lampshades. Our smaller-scale patterns are ideal for petite shades, while our larger repeats suit taller designs.
Can I match my lampshade to my curtains or blinds?
Yes, you can absolutely match your lampshade to your curtains or blinds in either the same or a complementary fabric. This layered approach helps to create a timeless and harmonious look.
How do I choose between a drum and an empire shade?
A drum shade offers a clean, contemporary silhouette, while an empire shade feels softer and more traditional. Think about the style of your room and how you would like the light to be directed before making your decision.
We sell fabrics exclusively designed by Vanessa Arbuthnott, along side small, bespoke collection of Made to Measure items which includes curtains, blinds, sofas, footstools, chairs, headboards, and quilts, all handmade specially for you by master crafts people.
