Great Source for Cheap Lampshades

If you're anything like me, you've got lots of great lamps that you've picked up at garage sales, via craigslist or out flea-marketing. They're great shapes, great colors and unlike anything you can find in stores now. Also, they don't have shades. So you vow to get the perfect shade at some point so that you can actually use said awesome lamp. But where oh where to find a modern, affordable lampshade?

I used to try Target, but the selection really disappointed me: only one or two drum shades and maybe 2 sizes, tops. Ikea has weird euro sizes so that's no good. And other places just seemed really expensive considering that most of the time I've bought the lamp because it was a total steal. So recently I ventured into unchartered territory and discovered a plethora or modern drum shades in various colors and textures and sizes at ... Lamps Plus!

Their selection of contemporary shades is pretty comprehensive and I love that you can find nice details like the black ribbon edging on some of them. I've seen all of these in stock in the store I go to so you don't have to wait for it to be shipped to you. If you can, remember to bring the lamp with you so that you can test out different sized shades to see which one fits best!

Do you have a secret source for cheap shades?

Image from Revolutionary Girl.

Comments (27)

LampsUSA also have great prices on shades...

..and if you need a custom size or color Fenchel will make them for very reasonable prices:

http://www.fenchelshades.com/

Cheap lamps are a great resource. Just buy a cheap lamp with the desired lampshade, remove said lampshade and put it on lamp you love, and sell cheap lamp (without lampshade) on craigslist.

I have gone the custom route, but this is cheaper and quicker because I always seem to find the right lampshade on the wrong lamp...

Not cheap at all but perhaps some inspiration for creating your own:http://www.beelinestudio.net/gallery.htm?pic_id=4002,35672

Katy
http://fengshuibyfishgirl.com

Thank you for this info! I've been looking for a good, affordable drum shade for a while and I'm laughing that I never knew there was a Lamps Plus just down the street from me...apparently I haven't been looking hard enough! Ha.

I bought my beautiful finials from LampsPlus.
They were quick, cheap, and beauuutiful.

http://theserovingeyes.blogspot.com/2008/10/lamp-it-up.html

I've looked at Lamps Plus online and they have I think the drum shade I need for a traditional blue glass lamp that simply needs a new shade, the one on there is original and is probably 60 or more years old.

I have one lamp who's shade is unusual (oval bell shape) that I love and is a bit over 30 years old and I'm seeing if I can get it relined for it fits the lamp it's on perfectly as the lining unfortunately being silk became fragile in recent years and is splitting in places.

This post is kind of hilarious given that my shadeless lamp collection (now numbering 10) has become a huge target of mockery for my friends and family. I have only one lamp with a shade so far, although I do love the shade (from Anthropologie) dearly! theserovingeyes, I love your monkeys on the Restoration Hardware shades. ;) How tall are the lamps you put them on and what are the dimensions of your shades, if you don't mind my asking? I have a pair of shadeless ginger jar lamps that look similarly scaled and I really like the sizing of your shades in respect to the lamp bodies!

I'm a big fan of the regular lampshade sales at Restoration Hardware. Great drums in a variety of sizes and colors!

In Victoria (BC) we have the Lampshade Shop:
http://www.thevictorialampshadeshop.com/

They make every shade on site. I've brought in antique lamps and the owners have helped me play with sizes, shapes and fabrics (including opaque linings) until we get the perfect shade. It's not actually that expensive - a typical "medium" shade is usually less than $40 (Canadian even!). They will also make lampshades from fabric you bring in.

It's one of my favourite places!

I can't believe that other cities don't have custom stores.

Practical Props
11100 Magnolia Blvd [just East of Lankershim]
N Hollywood 91601
818.980.3198

Tues-Sat 11-6

Ian, the owner, is an awesome source for all kinds of vintage and reproduction lighting. And they have a selection of drum shades!

http://www.practicalprops.com

Sigh....inherit one 1960 Rembrandt floor lamp from parents who were done with it...belonged to my grandmother....contained original lamp workings and not up to current standards...access fabulous lamp shop in town, have the whole thing reworked...salvage the SILK lampshade, fussing over it in the bathtub.... and voila!! en"light"ened object of family history. Worth every penny (many of them, I might add).

Hey marie516! Thanks! The finials MADE these lamps. They make me smile every day!

The lamps are 15" base to bottom of harp. The harp itself is 9". The shades are 9" tall, from Restoration Hardware. I think they were SIZE D, according to their sizing. The Annual Lighting sale is definitely the time to invest in these great basic shades from RH - 30% off makes them perfectly-priced, as far as I'm concerned. They could definitely expand their colour selection.

AT was the place I came for opinions on these very shades!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/good-questions/good-questions-shade-color-for-marble-lamps-065444

I badly need such a source for Montreal.It's been awhile I've been looking for a 'basic',white,drum shade...this is so strange!..Could anyone help?

anyone know where to find simple square or rectangle lampshades?

we have a square glass lamp that came with a squared-pagoda shade... but i want something a little cleaner looking.

bepsf thanks for posting the link for fenchel... its the first place i have found online that has square shades for under $50!!!

BTW, if you're a designer or homeowner with a vintage or strange lamp that doesn't work, I highly recommend Chris's Lamp Repair in Providence, RI. He can make anything work again! http://www.chrislamprepair.com/

Katy
http://fengshuibyfishgirl.com

Thank you Laure for posting this topic! I've been dying to figure out where to get a cute, updated shade for my lamp and not spend a fortune!!!! I've had this lamp since I was a kid (no lie) and it's traveled the country with me. I almost got rid of it a few years ago because it looked outdated. Once I started getting into design, I figured that it could be updated in more than one way. So, thanks everyone for your posts and suggestions. I'm totally stoked! With the right shade, it might just be one of my favorite things in my apt when I'm finished with the Cure.

yay kelly! glad this post helped and thanks to everyone who had other great resources to share!

some DIY self-advesive lampshades in various shapes and sizes:

http://www.hollywoodlightscrafts.com/

Another fun option is to find a simple shade either at Goodwill or someplace inexpensive and replace the fabric. I used art paper that was on the stiff side, but I bet you could also get something at the fabric store that would work, maybe with a little starch or some fabric interface.

can completely relate to this - found this fabulous metal lamp base and instantly envisioned it in turquoise with the perfect straight drum shade - had no idea how elusive that lamp shade would be. closest I came was one on lamps plus for $18.99, but it's slightly tapered...

I did a little research on all the comments here.

First, I found out that most of the websites you recommend for lamp shades are made by the same company, Wisconsin Lighting. http://www.wilighting.com They manufacture the shades for http://www.FenchelShades.com and http://www.Hollywoodlightscrafts.com. I guess it's more right to say they ARE those companies, so they are a manufacturer selling directly to their customers. Apparently, they make most of the shades in the lampshade universe, because when I went to my local lighting store to get a custom shade, they told me to go straight to Fenchel. (That's where they buy their shades.)

UrbanSherp, you were looking for a perfect straight drum shade in Turquoise. On the fenchelshades.com web site, you can get any lamp shade size you want, and they have a really nice Indian Turquoise fabric. I couldn't hardly find a custom shade that cost more than $20. How is that even possible? Do other stores mark up the prices that much on lampshades?

a little off topic but since we're talking lamps, Chris's Lamp Repair (google it) in providence is awesome at repairing / restoring vintage and one of a kind lamps...i was truly amazed that he was able to make my old Paris thrift shop lamps work again.

I don't think this is in Callifornia but, there is a store that opened recently here called The Christmas Tree Shops and they have a better selection and usually better pricing on lamp shades than most big box stores. Also, I got "lost" in there bc it was my first time at the store and they had so many cute and inexpensive home items. Will definitely be making many trips back...it's my new fave for the moment.

I could tell that we’re on the same interest and obsession. Good to know someone I could share my ideas. Looking forward to know and learn some more from you. I'll be glad to share my own thoughts to you soon. Thank you for sharing such valuable articles. More power!

loans till payday

Those are great looking lampshades we offer a wide range of bespoke lampshades via mail order in the UK

http://www.lightingworks.co.uk/

Doh! It helps if I post the link doesn't it Lighting works - Lamp Shades UK