We are often asked to recommend a lamp shade which will give off the best light. The not so simple answer is a white lamp shade but there is more to consider ...

Most of our lamp shades have white linings which reflect bright white light downward (and upward to a lesser degree). A darker lamp shade with a white lining will reflect light DOWNWARD similar to an all white lamp shade. However, a darker shade will transmit less light THROUGH the shade material as compared to a white lamp shade. The white lamp shade is the brightest when viewed laterally from the side.

So for reading or work projects directly beneath the lamp shade, a colored lamp shade with white lining may work just fine. However if your main concern is general area lighting then nothing works quite as good as a white lamp shade. Darker colored lamp shades are more dramatic especially when pleated, folded, draped, etc. White lamp shades are more efficient for lighting an area.

Cream (sometimes called eggshell) is the most popular lamp shade color and for good reason. Cream is soft on the eyes and easily combines with many other colors in a design theme. Care must be used when selecting a white lamp shade as it can create a stark robust appearance if not associated with other white colors in the design theme.
White lamp shades are popular on crystal lamps, blue and white porcelain lamps, clear glass lamps, acrylic lamps, colored glass lamps, colored porcelain and colored ceramic lamps and others.

Email us with your lamp shade design questions. We have helped designers, retailers, wholesalers and individuals with lamp shades since 1979.

An Extensive Selection of White Lamp Shades can be found here http://www.hoylelamps.com/Styles%20Shades.htm

- Jim Hoyle

Biography: Since 1979 Jim Hoyle has owned and operated Lamp Shades & Lamps Outlet  http://www.hoylelamps.com/  North Carolina's Most Exclusive Unique Lamps and Lamp Shades. Jim designs and manufactures fine cast metal table lamps and floor lamps and collects, buys, sells, repairs, rewires, restores, refinishes and appraises antique lamps from special acquisitions and estates worldwide. His company also specializes in lamp and home decor factory buyouts and warehouse closings. Comments and questions are answered personally. The company website contains a wealth of free information about antique lamps, shades and lighting.

Visit his lamp shop and store at 2233 East Main Street, Lincolnton, North Carolina about 25 minutes from Charlotte.

We do everything for lamps, shades and chandeliers - buy, sell, repair, restore, rewire, refinish, lamp appraisals.