Updated 23 October 2026 · By the artisanfirst | DREAMYWALLS design studio, Noida

The right lamp shade is usually about twice as wide as the widest part of the lamp base, and its height is about one-third of the lamp's total height. These are starting points, not laws: a good shade also covers the bulb and holder, sits well on your table, and matches the mood you want. This guide from artisanfirst | DREAMYWALLS shows you how to measure, how to check fit (including the E27 vs B22 question in Indian homes), and how our own shade sizes pair with our RIO lamp bases.

Quick answers

• What size shade do I need? Bottom width about 2x the base's widest point; shade height about one-third of the total lamp height.
• How do I measure a shade? Measure the top width, bottom width, height, and the slant (the sloped side) in centimetres.
• Will your shade fit my lamp? Our shades are made for E27 holders, the screw-in type. If your lamp is B22 (push-and-twist), WhatsApp us a photo before ordering.
• Do your shades fit RIO lamps? Yes, they fit RIO bases, but sizes vary, so check the look and proportion you want.
• What bulb should I use? An LED bulb in warm white (2700–3000K). Bulbs are not included.
• Can I change a room's mood by swapping shades? Yes. Keep the base, change the shade, and the room feels different.
• What if the shade doesn't suit? You have 7 days to return it, with free pickup.

What size lamp shade do I need for my lamp?

Pick a shade whose bottom width is roughly double the widest part of your lamp base, and whose height is about one-third of the full lamp height. A home-design column in the Daily Herald's lamp-size equation uses exactly these two rules.

There is a second way to check, from the British lampshade maker Pooky's lampshade size guide: the shade's height should be about two-thirds of the base height (the base alone, without the bulb holder), and the shade's width should be about equal to the base height. Both methods land in a similar place. Use whichever is easier for your lamp.

What if my lamp falls between two shade sizes?

Go for the larger size. A shade that is a little too big looks generous and calm; a shade that is too small makes the base look top-heavy and shows the bulb. Pooky gives the same advice.

Why don't all lamps follow the rules?

Because the rules are for classic shapes. A low, wide base, a slim stem, or a sculptural form often looks better with a shade that breaks the rule on purpose. Even our own RIO lamps do this, as the table further down shows. Trust the rule to get close, then trust your eye.

How do I measure a lamp shade?

Measure four things: top width, bottom width, height, and slant. Use a soft tape and write each in centimetres. This is the method Home Depot's shade-measuring guide also teaches.

• Top width — straight across the top opening, edge to edge.
• Bottom width — straight across the bottom opening. This is the number most people mean by "shade size".
• Height — straight up, from the bottom edge to the top edge (not along the slope).
• Slant — along the sloping side, from bottom edge to top edge. On a drum, slant and height are the same.

One thing to watch: shop names can mix measures. Our "10.5 in drum" is named for its width (26.7 cm across). Our "16 in tall drum" is named for its height (40.6 cm tall). The table below gives every number in full.

How do I measure the lamp base?

Measure the widest point of the base across, then its height from the table to the bottom of the bulb holder. Then measure the whole lamp height, from table to the top of the holder (or the top of the old shade if you have one). These three numbers are all you need for the rules above.

How wide should the shade be compared with the base?

About twice the base's widest point at the bottom of the shade. Home Depot suggests the top of the shade should be at least as wide as the base, and up to twice as wide. A shade narrower than the base almost always looks wrong, because the base seems to push out from under it.

How tall should the shade be compared with the lamp?

About one-third of the total lamp height, or about two-thirds of the base height. The shade should also come down far enough to hide the bulb holder when you look at the lamp from the side, at sitting height.

How tall should a bedside lamp be?

Aim for a lamp about 1 to 1.5 times the height of your bedside table, so the shade's bottom edge sits near your eye level when you sit up in bed. That's the guidance in the Daily Herald piece. Ideal Home's bedside lamp guide adds two simple checks: the lamp should reach about two-thirds of your headboard's height, and the base's widest point should be about one-third of the table's width.

How tall should a living room table lamp be?

Around 71–81 cm (28–32 in) overall is a common range for side tables beside a sofa, per the Daily Herald. Floor lamps usually run 147–163 cm (58–64 in). Lower lamps, like our 35.6 cm (14 in) RIO turtle lamp, suit consoles, shelves, and smaller bedside tables.

Will this shade fit my existing lamp?

Our shades are made for E27 holders. E27 is the screw-in bulb holder, 27 mm wide (the "E" stands for Edison screw). If your lamp has an E27 holder, our shade will fit it.

B22 vs E27: which one does my lamp have?

Look at the bulb. If it screws in, your lamp is most likely E27. If you push it in and twist, with two small pins on the bulb's side, it's B22 (B for bayonet, 22 mm wide). B22 is very common in Indian homes; an industry report from Matter Alpha on the bayonet fitting lists India with the UK, Australia, and New Zealand as B22 countries, while most other places use E27.

My lamp is B22. What can I do?

WhatsApp us a photo of your lamp's holder before you order, and we'll tell you honestly whether one of our shades can sit on it. B22-to-E27 bulb adapters and shade "reducer rings" do exist (Fenchel Shades' guide to shade fittings explains how shades attach), but they change how high the bulb and shade sit, so check with us first rather than guessing. The simplest route is often one of our RIO lamps, which come with an E27 holder ready for any of our shades.

What sizes are artisanfirst | DREAMYWALLS lamp shades?

We make five shade sizes, from ₹999 to ₹2,590. All are sold on their own in our lamp shades collection, and every RIO lamp also ships with a matching shade.

Which shade goes with which RIO lamp base?

Every RIO lamp ships with a matching shade, and our other shades fit RIO bases too. Sizes vary, though, so the look changes: check the proportion you want before swapping. Here is how each RIO lamp is put together.

You'll notice our lamps bend the rules. The mango wood lamp has a low, wide base, so we chose a tall, slim drum to give it height. The turtle lamp is short, so its shade is a bigger share of the whole lamp, which gives it a soft, cosy shape for a bedside or shelf. If you're choosing a new shade for a RIO base, here are some starting points:

• Slim bases (A-shape, hammered metal) — a drum or empire keeps the line clean and light.
• Wide, low bases (turtle, mango wood) — a wider pleated or scalloped shade (38 cm at the bottom) balances the base's width.
• Not sure? Send us a photo of your table and lamp on WhatsApp and we'll suggest a pairing.

Drum, empire, pleated or scalloped: which shape suits which base?

Drums suit modern and straight-sided bases; empires suit slim or classic bases; pleated and scalloped shades suit rounded, turned, or traditional bases. Shape changes both the look and where the light goes.

Drum shade

Straight sides, same width top and bottom. It spreads light evenly up and down and looks calm and modern. Good on cylinders, columns, and simple turned wood.

Empire shade

Narrow top, wider bottom. It throws more light down onto the table, which helps for reading. It looks classic and suits slim or tapered bases.

Pleated and scalloped shades

Folds or a wavy edge add texture, and the light glows unevenly through the folds in a soft, gentle way. They sit well on rounded or traditional bases and bring a touch of heritage to plain rooms.

How does the fabric change the light?

Thin, light-coloured fabric lets more light through; thick or dark fabric sends most light up and down and gives a moody glow. The colour of the fabric also tints the light in the room.

• Velvet — thick and soft. Very little light comes through the sides, so it creates warm pools of light above and below. Our Midnight Tiger shade is velvet.
• Printed cottons and linens — light passes through and shows off the pattern when the lamp is on. A block-print or painted pattern can look quite different lit and unlit, so check both photos on the product page. Our guide to hand embroidery and block print explains how these prints are made.
• Colour — warm colours (pink, ochre, rust) make light feel warmer and softer; blues and greens make it cooler and calmer. Dark colours lower the brightness in the room.

Does a darker shade make the lamp less bright?

Yes, for the room around it. A dark shade still gives good light straight down for reading, but less light spreads to the walls. If you want both a dark shade and a brighter room, choose a brighter bulb (more lumens, see below).

Will the shade hide the bulb?

It should, if it's tall enough. When you look at the lamp from the side at sitting or standing height, you shouldn't see the bulb or holder below the shade's edge. If you can, the shade is too short for the base, or the bulb is too tall. A shorter LED bulb often solves it.

Can I swap shades to change the mood of a room?

Yes, and it's the cheapest way to refresh a room. Keep the base, change the shade: a dark velvet for winter evenings, a light print for summer, a pleated pink for a festive table. The video below shows one RIO base with a new shade, and how much the room's feel changes.

Are your shades sold separately?

Yes. Every shade in the table above is sold on its own, from ₹999. You can browse them all in our lamp shades collection.

Can you make a custom shade for my sculptural lamp?

Yes. We customise shades for accent and sculptural table lamps, whose shapes don't follow standard sizes. WhatsApp us a photo of the lamp with its measurements (base width, base height, and holder type) and we'll suggest a size, shape and fabric. You can see our own forms in the sculptural lamps collection.

What bulb should I use inside a fabric shade?

Use an LED bulb in warm white, 2700–3000K. LEDs give the same light as old bulbs using far less power and run much cooler, which suits fabric shades. Bulbs are not included with our lamps, so pick one with an E27 base.

What does "K" (Kelvin) mean on a bulb?

Kelvin is the colour of the light. Lower numbers look warm and yellow; higher numbers look cool and blue. In India many shops sell 6500K "cool daylight" bulbs by default. That's fine for a kitchen, but it makes a fabric shade look flat. For lamps, choose warm white, 2700–3000K. The Energy Star light bulb guide groups 2200–3000K as warm light.

How bright should the bulb be?

Choose by lumens (the amount of light), not watts (the power it uses). Energy Star's guide gives these matches:

In India, also look for the BEE star rating on the box; more stars means the bulb uses less power. Orient Electric's note on BEE ratings explains the label simply.

How do I clean a fabric lamp shade?

Dust it gently every week or two with a lint roller, a soft brush, or a vacuum with a brush head on low. Always switch off and let the bulb cool first.

• For a small mark, dab (don't rub) with a barely damp cloth and a drop of mild soap, then let it air dry fully.
• Don't soak or machine-wash the shade; water can loosen the glue and warp the frame.
• Keep the shade out of strong, direct sun for long periods, which can fade colours.

These tips follow Pooky's fabric lampshade cleaning guide. For the wooden RIO bases, see our mango wood and marble care guide.

What if the shade doesn't suit my lamp?

Return it within 7 days, with free pickup. If anything arrives damaged, we replace it free. Full terms are in our refund policy. If you'd rather check before ordering, WhatsApp us your lamp's measurements and we'll tell you which size looks right.

Is it safe to buy lamp shades online?

Yes, when the seller packs well and has a fair return policy. We deliver free across India, usually in 3–5 days, with cash on delivery available. You can follow your parcel on our track order page. To see how our pieces are made, visit The Making, or browse all our lighting and lamps.

Still unsure?

WhatsApp or call us on +91 92665 17772. Send a photo of your lamp and table with a few measurements, and we'll suggest a shade size and shape, check whether your holder will work, or plan a custom shade for a sculptural lamp. You can also reach us through our contact page.

Sources

• Daily Herald: Is your lamp the right size? There's an equation for that
• Pooky: What size lampshade do I need?
• Home Depot: How to measure a lamp shade
• Ideal Home: How to choose the right size lamp for your bedside table
• Fenchel Shades: Types of lamp shade fittings explained
• Matter Alpha: The end of the bayonet (B22 vs E27)
• Energy Star: Light bulb purchasing guide
• Orient Electric: What the BEE rating on LED bulbs means
• Pooky: How to clean a fabric lampshade