This Is the Inexpensive Swap That Will Totally Upgrade Your Room

There are so many ways to boost the personality of your room — a cozy throw here, a bold piece of artwork there. These types of finishing touches are often the most fun to shop for and the easiest to swap in and out at your whim, whether you want to change things up for the season or are suddenly sick of everything blue. 

Another great way to up the ante in your home? Lighting. There’s a reason many designers refer to lamps and lighting fixtures as the “jewelry” of a space — they can be used to add a quiet sophistication to a room or be bold and loud in a way that completely makes the whole design scheme. That being said, lighting can be seriously pricey, so it’s not always possible to splurge on a piece any time you feel like your room needs an upgrade. Enter: lampshades. Yep, those dull, papery things that basically serve as dust collectors in your home or apartment. Turns out, they’re the inexpensive upgrade your room may be missing.

Lampshades are totally having a moment. From unique shapes and bold fabric options to shiny metallic interiors, the boring white linen standbys have been replaced by styles that are here for a good time. Whether you trade your drum shade for a chic exaggerated coolie shape or exchange that plain white linen for scalloped seagrass, this simple swap can make your lamp (and home) feel brand new. Ready to get inspired? Here, six fun styles to get you started.  

Add a playful pop of color to your room with this block print-inspired shade in a cool indigo blue. To me, this style screams boho chic — I think it’d look totally amazing atop a lamp base made of seagrass or another natural texture.

Buy: OKA Pattani Eclipse Lampshade, $95.00 from OKA

Think of this next pick as a basic-but-better option. If creamy white shades are kind of your thing (which is cool!), then upgrade the texture with a very-now accordion pleat that’s both graphic and timeless. The design world is seeing a lot of cone pleated shades right now, so I love that the drum shape of this piece is a little different.

Buy: West Elm Drum Table Lamp Shades, $49.00 from West Elm

Calling this Urban Outfitters shade a shade may be a bit generous, considering it doesn’t block much light. Still, that’s kind of the point — the rattan caged style diffuses the light in such a pretty way, while still allowing plenty to escape, making it perfect for rooms that could really benefit from a bit of illumination (like a bedroom without overhead lighting).

Buy: Urban Outfitters Rattan Lamp Shade, $59.00 from Urban Outfitters.

Word to the wise: Don’t forget your sconces! Though they’re a total splurge, these sweet scalloped shades combine equal parts British charm with grandmillennial chic for a quirky combo that will grab all the attention the moment your guests enter the room.

Buy: Matilda Goad Signature Scallop Candle Shade, $113.00 from Matilda Goad

Pro tip: Small-scale items like lampshades are a great place to splurge on a high-end fabric touch, like this bold oval shade covered in Brunschwig & Fils’ iconic Les Touches pattern. Add in a cool metallic interior, and you have all the makings of a serious show-stopper.

Buy: Canary Les Touches Animal Print Lamp Shade, Starting at $157.00 from Etsy

If you prefer your playful patterns in small doses, opt for a funky lamp shade in a conversation-starting print, like this colorful jungle style from Anthropologie. It’s an easy way to dip your toes into pattern play without making too permanent of a decision (like upholstering a whole headboard) and would still look totally cool in an otherwise neutral space.

Buy: Emily Isabella Midnight Jasmine Lamp Shade, $68.00 from Anthropologie