It’s amazing how a single piece of lighting can spruce up the room décor. A charming, red Chinese lantern in a corner or a yellow bulb lamp shades placed strategically near the sitting lounge for reading and studying are useful. Lampshades have specific functions and can be made to look like decorative pieces in a room. They can be hanging from a ceiling, mounted on a wall, movable like cordless phones, adjustable to throw right source of light… over the years lamp shades have become creative. Manufacturers have indulged in fancies and consumers are spoilt for choice. No one will be disappointed as there are so many options of lighting fixtures that can be purchased in any budget, size, colour or material. White plastic, stain glass, paper, antiques, wrought iron, steel or any material that is a good conductor of electricity is ideal. So while buying one, figure out why you need a lampshade at all? Once you have the purpose, search in focused stores. For example there are stores which sell contemporary lampshades, some have antique variety or some have unusual designs. Painted lamp shades are available in leather, canvas, wood, metal and cloth. Once the budget is decided then the choice is easier.

Before buying a lamp shade check the lamp base. Lamp shade should be just broader than the base. Leather lamp shades seem to have caught on the fancy of consumers. Long lasting lamp shades made of pigskin are available in red, black, green, wine, gold or natural hues. Try visualizing the decorative piece with the theme of the room. Is the lamp shade meant for the bedroom where you will be lighting it to read a book before you fall asleep? Choose one which can be adjustable with the source of light. The yellow bulb need not be very powerful but sufficient for reading clearly. Try not to use a fluorescent bulb which will blind the eyes. For personal reading, a lampshade need not be very decorative (unless you badly fancy one). For the living room, choose a little fancier one that guests can appreciate. But the basic function of reading under focused lighting should not be lost. Sometimes when a visitor comes around during the day the room light need not switched on. The lamp shade light is sufficient to read documents or a scan a particular reading material and create the visual effect.