Lamp’s shape, function shine light on shade selection

DEAR GAIL: I've been looking for new lamps for my living room and like that the stores now have mix and match lamps and shades. But how do I go about selecting the right shade for a lamp? -- Nicole K.

DEAR NICOLE: It is nice that stores now give you a choice of putting together your own look, but it can be confusing on how to match up a lamp and shade.

First, check to see if the manufacturer gives you any direction about the size of shade the lamp takes. Many of the mix and match lines will tell you the size to look for. If it doesn't or if you're not buying them in the same store, make sure that you have the lamp with you when buying the shade. Just as it's important to have a dress when you're looking for matching shoes, a shade can make a lamp.

You need to consider where you are placing it. Make sure the lamp and shade are properly scaled to the table or night stand they are sitting on. You don't want a shade that is so wide you have to set the lamp at the table's edge because it is hitting the wall.

Next, don't forget to consider the lamp's function. If it is going to be a lamp for reading, a lighter colored shade is better as it will provide more light. Also a wider shade at the bottom will give a broader spread of light. As in all design, form follows function. Once, I found this great lamp that had a stainless-steel shade. It would have looked great in my office, but it didn't give me enough light to see anything on my desk. Plus, the shade got extremely hot. It looked great but was not functional at all.

Now, you'll want to look at the shape, style and size of the lamp base and proportionally fit the shade to the lamp. The basic purpose of a shade is to hide the lamp's hardware and bulb to prevent glare. As a general guideline, look at the shape of the lamp's base to direct you to the shape of the lampshade you'll want. A round or octagonal base would look good with a round shade. A rectangular base would look best with a rectangular shade and a square base would take a square or round shape.

With an idea of the shape you're looking for, you now need to have the proper size and scale. That is why you want to bring your lamp, so that you can try the shades on in the store. As a general rule of thumb, the bottom diameter of the shade should be at least 1 1/2 to 2 times the diameter of the widest diameter of the lamp. Some lamps are wider in the middle than at the base, so you want to make sure that the shade is at least 1 1/2 to 2 times wider than the lamp at its widest part.

It also is important to have adequate ventilation around the bulb. There should be at least an inch or two around the bulb. You can double check by leaving the lamp on for five minutes and if the shade is hot, it needs to be bigger for the wattage that you're using or, of course, reduce the wattage.

If you find the perfect shade but it is either too short or too long, that can be adjusted. You can purchase a new harp to make it taller or shorter. If the shade is too long, you also can add a shade riser. A shade riser is a metal rod that comes in different sizes and simply screws onto the top of the harp to elevate the shade. You can purchase new harps and risers at lighting-supply stores.

Finally, if you're at a lamp or home-improvement store where you can plug your lamp in, do it. You'll want to see how the shade looks on the lamp with and without the lamp on. The light coming through the shade can dramatically change its overall appearance and color.

The main characteristic of a lamp is that it is functional, but it is also a decorative accessory in any room. So, you want to make sure that you have an attractive and properly fit shade for your lamp.

Gail Mayhugh, owner of GMJ Interiors, is a professional interior designer and author of a book on the subject. Questions may be sent by e-mail to: gail@gmjinteriors.com. Or, mail to: 7380 S. Eastern Ave., No. 124-272, Las Vegas, NV 89123. Her Web address is: www.GMJinteriors.com.