How Do I Fit a Shade on a Lamp?
- 1). Measure the lamp base from the bottom of the base to the bottom of the light bulb socket with the tape measure. Write this measurement down. As you choose a lampshade for a table or desk lamp, the bottom dimension of the lampshade should be roughly the same as the lamp base height. To choose a lampshade for a floor lamp, select a lampshade with a bottom dimension that is approximately 8 inches wider than the base of the floor lamp.
- 2). Measure the height of the harp of the lampshade. The harp is the metal structure that attaches on either side of the light bulb socket and extends up and around the light bulb in an oval shape. The harp determines how the lampshade fits on the lamp. You will need a lampshade with a straight height that is 1/2-inch taller or shorter than the height of the harp (to ensure you hide the harp within the lampshade).
- 3). Select a lampshade with a slant height that is approximately 40 percent of the lamp base height. For example, if the lamp base is 24 inches tall, multiply 24 times .4 to get 9.6 inches. A lampshade with a slant height of 9 to 10 inches would be suitable for this lamp base.
- 4). Narrow your lampshade search according to the dimensions determined in the first three steps. The last consideration is the shape of the lampshade. Select a lampshade with a shape that complements the shape of the base of the lamp.
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