Finding New Lamp Shades

Whether you are looking to replace the shade on an old lamp or looking to find a new shade to replace one that has been lost or damaged, there are a number of different things you can do to find just the right one for your needs. They can often be purchased separately from lamps, and, if not, there are usually ways to work around it.

On the one hand, you might be flexible about the actual lamp shade that you get. This is often the case when you are getting rid of one that is either very old or whose style you no longer like. Replacing one in these cases is usually remarkably easy. Fortunately, most older lamps have the same design: the shad is simply placed on top of the naked bulb itself. This means they are largely interchangeable. Others are connected directly to the base, but there are some standard styles for this, so take a photograph when shopping for a replacement.

If you are looking to purchase a shade for an antique lamp, many antique stores will sell them separately from the base of the lamp itself. This is because selling the base often requires extensive rewiring and may not be worth doing in itself. As a result, many antiques dealers will actually simply sell shades without the actual lamp, giving you a wide range of options for replacing it.

On the other hand, if you want a specific lamp shade to match your exact lamp, there are a few steps. First, find out what your lamp is actually called. This can be a bit tricky, but you can often find the information by looking on the bottom of your lamp, getting a little information, and using Google image search to track down the exact lamp.

Next, check eBay and Craigslist for that exact lamp shade. People sell an amazing array of things there, and you may be able to find your exact lamp there in that way. If that doesn't work, try contacting the manufacturer directly. They often will sell parts, including lamp shades, for lower prices. Finally, if all else fails, try contacting the furniture store where you purchased the lamp directly. They may have defective lamps whose shades are not themselves defective.

Lorne Hallett has been a prolific internet article writer since 1997. His current project is the site cheap floor lamps, with a page on contemporary floor lamps.