Thirty years ago drum lamp shades were all the rage. Today, they are back in style with savvy home decorators and they fill home design magazines right across the country. A drum lamp shade has a number of benefits including the ability to direct light in all directions – upwards, downwards and through the shade fabric – and a larger space so that larger bulbs can be use with them. This extra space also ensures good ventilation and this makes them good to use with bulbs that tend to become very hot.
A drum lamp shade is very similar to a cylinder shade and it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between the two. Both types have vertical or near vertical sides. However, drum shades are often wider while cylinders are taller. Due to their design, drum shades are best used with lamps that have an elongated shaped.
A Drum Lamp Shade Buying Guide
Buying the right lamp shade isn’t as simple as you think. The first consideration is the base. You should match or suit the shape, size, style and color. As already mentioned, drum shades tend to go well with column shaped lamps. Beyond that, which one you choose depends on the color and style of the lamp base. Of course, the décor of the room and house is also an important factor that you need to consider in your shade selection.
In general, you should aim to have the shade compliment the base. If the lamp is a show stopper by itself then you may opt for a simple and bland shade in order to give the lamp base the attention that it deserves. However, if the lamp base is simple and plain then it may need a bright or unique shade. This is more of an art than a science and you may need to try several shades and bases together to get the right combination.
In terms of size, a large base will tend to need a large shade. You should also aim to have the shade just cover the lamp’s switch. As a rule of thumb, the shade should be wider than the base and also approximately the same distance from the bottom of the base to the light bulb socket. The shade’s height should be ¾ of the base’s height.
Before you settle on the lamp shade, think about what you will be using it for. For example, do you want it to provide a soft glow throughout the room or direct a beam of strong light for reading? Such uses will dictate the particular lamp shade that you buy and it is often a good idea to test how a shade disperses light before you purchase it.
Finally, you need to think about the bulb. For safety reasons, the lamp shade should provide at least 3 inches between its fabric and the bulb.