Mid Century Lampshades

How to Choose the Perfect Mid Century Lampshades

Finding the right mid-century lampshade comes down to striking a balance between design and function. 

A well-chosen shade can highlight your décor, influence the atmosphere of a room, and bring harmony to your lighting. When deciding on a lampshade, keep the following factors in mind:

Match Your Room’s Color Scheme

When choosing a lampshade, one of the most important factors that you need to consider is your room’s current color scheme.

Neutral colors like beige, cream, or gray can blend easily into most settings, while bolder tones such as blue, yellow, red and orange can capture the vibrancy of mid-century design.

If your room already features strong colors or patterns, a solid, understated shade will provide balance. On the other hand, a more colorful option can add a touch of personality to a muted space.

Select a Pattern That Suits Your Style

Mid-century lampshades are often defined by their use of pattern and texture. 

From geometric prints and linear motifs to retro-inspired shapes, each of these designs can bring visual interest to your space and reflect the character of the era.

If your space is minimalist in terms of design, a textured fabric in a single tone can give depth without overwhelming the décor. If you want your lampshade to be a focal point in your room, consider bolder prints that make a statement.

The key is to choose a pattern that reflects your taste while complementing your existing furnishings.

Understand How Lighting Affects Mood

The material and construction of the lampshade you choose will significantly impact how light is dispersed. 

If you opt for a shade made of thin or translucent fabrics, it will allow more light to pass through, which will result in a warm and ambient glow that can work well in living rooms or bedrooms.

On the flip side, thicker materials are more restrictive of light, resulting in a more directional effect. This makes these types of lamp shades more suitable for reading or focused tasks.

The color of the shade matters too. Lighter shades can amplify brightness, while darker ones are more suitable for creating a more intimate atmosphere.

Measure to Ensure the Right Fit

When selecting a lampshade, make sure it fits the lamp’s base properly.

To choose the right lampshade size, a good rule of thumb is that the height of the shade should be about two-thirds the height of the lamp base.

By selecting a lamp shade that adheres to these proportions, you can be confident that the shade you purchase will appear balanced and visually appealing.

Popular Types of Mid Century Lampshades

Several different types of mid-century lampshades are especially sought after for their timeless design and versatility. They include:

Drums

Drum lamp shades are a staple of mid-century design. Thanks to their clean, cylindrical shape, they emit an even glow that can work well in almost any room.

Whether used on a tall floor lamp to light up a living space or on a smaller table lamp beside the bed, drum shades are versatile enough to adapt to different settings.

Two of our most sought-after mid-century drum lamp shades include the Opaque Paper Retro Drum in Black and Gold and the Cork Short Drum in Natural.

Empire

Empire lamp shades taper from a narrow top to a wider base, resulting in a balanced, classic look. They naturally direct more light downward, which makes them perfect for cozy reading corners or spaces where softer lighting is needed.

More specifically, you may often see British Empires highlighted in Mid-century design.

Some of our best-selling mid-century empire lamp shades include the Linen British Empire with Rolled Edges and the Kraft Paper Tall Drum in Brown.

Modern

Modern lamp shades take inspiration from the era’s bold and forward-thinking design. They often play with proportions, materials, and finishes, ranging from minimalist linen to striking glossy styles.

Modern mid-century shades are ideal for introducing a subtle vintage touch with a fresh, updated feel. Two of our best-selling modern mid-century lamp shades include the Stick Short Drum in Walnut and the Burlap Short Drum in Beige.

String

String lamp shades add a distinctive layer of texture to mid-century lighting. They’re created by wrapping cord, twine, or thread around a frame, which leaves small gaps for the light to shine through.

The result is a soft, diffused glow that casts subtle patterns and instantly warms up a space. Some of our most popular string mid-century lamp shades include the Silk String Coolie in Black and the Silk String Short Drum in White.

Custom Orders for Mid Century Lampshades

If you’ve browsed through our collection of mid-century lampshades and weren’t able to find the right shade for your indoor space, you can also place a custom lampshade order directly through our website.

By customizing your lampshade from scratch, you get to choose the size, fabric, color, and detailing so that it perfectly complements your interior design.

Get More Advice on Mid Century Lampshades

If you need more advice on mid-century lampshades before making your choice, get in touch with us, and we’d be more than happy to help.

In the meantime, we’d also recommend that you learn about our shades. That way, once you get the advice you’re looking for, you’ll be fully equipped to make the most informed decision.