A chandelier is a series of lights that hang from the ceiling and is made up of a number of small and large lights. It is used mainly for ambient lighting or general lighting. There is a wide range of different chandeliers that are available and they include antique, rustic, floral, tiffany, traditional and modern.
Chandelier lamp shades can be used to update an older chandelier as an alternative to replacing it. By simply changing the shades you can give the chandelier and the room a complete makeover. This will save you the hundreds and possibly thousands of dollars that you would have otherwise spent on replacing the chandelier.
What to Buy
There are two types of chandelier lamp shades. The first is the most common and consists of individual shades that go over each lamp bulb. The second is a single shade that embraces all the lamps like an umbrella. This type of shade is most commonly found on smaller or more modern chandeliers.
Some chandeliers shades will require you to simply clip it on to the light fixture. Others will require you to screw the lamps on by hand or using a screwdriver. When selecting a shade, think about where it is hanging and how much work will be required to remove the shade and clean it. For example, if you need a ladder to reach the chandelier then it is unlikely that you’ll want a shade that requires your to fiddle with screws to remove it.
Whatever type you choose, make sure they fit the chandelier correctly. Otherwise, you may find that they fall off or become damaged. Similarly, only use bulbs that are the maximum that is allowed for the particular shade. Otherwise, you may find the shade will melt or become a fire hazard.
There is a wide range of different styles, sizes and colors of chandelier lamp shades that are available. It is important that you choose a shade that not only matches the chandelier but also the décor of the room that the chandelier will be situated.
Where to Buy
Shades for chandeliers come either as a single or a set of varying numbers. That way you can purchase the exact numbers you need. Prices start as low as $5 and go into the hundreds of the dollar for hand crafted or hand painted shades.
Shopping online is often a good way to find hard to get shades or chandelier shades at a discounted price. Antique shades are best bought from flea markets or from specialty websites.