The lampshade is pretty much the only thing that stands out on a lamp or ceiling light. But although it’s generally seen as a decorative element, its main purpose is actually to diffuse or redirect the light emitted by the bulb for maximum effectiveness. The lampshade is one of those dual-purpose features that can either make or break the décor in a room.

A variety of designs.

Lampshades come in a huge range of designs, shapes, colors, sizes and materials. So you have to be careful when you choose the right one for your room. It has to match the rest of the décor just right. Actually there are too possibilities: the lampshade can either blend in, in which case it has to match the rest of the room, or stand out so it needs to contrast with the surrounding décor.

The shade needs to match the lamp.

If, for example, you want to add a lamp to your room’s décor, there are several things to keep in mind when shopping. First of all, the lamp style usually dictates the type of shade so if, for instance, you want an oversized floor lamp, the shade has to be large as well.

Color is important.

As you may have noticed, lampshades that feature lighter colors provide more light. So id you want the light in the room to be subtle and diffuse, choose a dark-colored shade and vice versa.

Choose the right material.

If your lamp will fulfill a mostly decorative purpose, then you can go for a cloth lampshade. They’re very versatile, available in a wide range of colors and designs and they require little maintenance. If you want a shade for your wall or ceiling lights, then glass is usually a popular choice. Metal lamp shades can look good anywhere.