Lamp shades feature two main parts, the lamp shade frame and the material that surrounds the frame. The frame acts like a scaffolding to support the shape of the lamp shade and to allow it to be mounted to the lamp.

The lamp shade covering wraps around the shade frame and provides the diffusing and reflecting of light, as well as making the lamp shade more decorative.

The coverings of lamp shades use a range of materials with different types of fabrics, natural materials, glass and more. Most lamp shades will use a metal frame coupled with a fabric cover material.

Fabric Lamp Shades

The most popular materials used in lamp shades are fabrics. Fabrics offer a wide variety of colors and patterns, as well as offering different qualities and types of materials, from those that are smooth and silky to others which are rougher and knubbly and textured.

Note that the outer material used for the appearance of the lamp shade may or may not be the only material used, since lined/backed lamp shades may feature an inner lining of a different material and color.

Cotton fabric lamp shades

Cotton is one of the most commonly used fabrics for lamp shades due to its versatility and soft texture. It can be easily dyed, printed, or embroidered, making it ideal for creating a variety of patterns and styles, from casual to sophisticated.

Cotton shades diffuse light well, producing a warm, inviting ambiance. However, over time, they tend to attract dust and may discolor with prolonged exposure to sunlight.

To maintain their appearance, they require regular cleaning, usually by gentle dusting or using a vacuum brush attachment.

Linen lamp shades

Linen is prized for its durability and natural texture, which gives lamp shades an elegant, organic look. It often has a slightly rougher weave than cotton, creating subtle variations in how light passes through, making it suitable for relaxed, modern, or coastal interiors.

Linen shades offer excellent light diffusion, producing a soft glow with a slightly muted tone. Although they are more resistant to wear than cotton, linen shades can wrinkle easily and may need occasional spot cleaning to maintain their appeal.

Silk lamp shades

Silk shades are synonymous with luxury, making them a popular choice for high-end or traditional decor. They provide a soft, romantic glow and complement formal spaces such as living rooms or bedrooms.

However, silk is delicate and requires careful handling. It can fade with exposure to sunlight and is prone to tearing if not handled properly.

Cleaning silk shades can be tricky. We recommended to dust them lightly or use a professional cleaning service.

Chintz lamp shades

Chintz is a glazed cotton fabric with a smooth, shiny finish that gives lamp shades a polished appearance. Its reflective surface can subtly enhance light output, making it an attractive option for decorative fixtures.

Chintz is often used in vintage or classic-style lamps, adding a hint of sophistication. However, the glossy coating can make the material less breathable, and it may yellow over time.

Chintz shades require careful dusting to maintain their sheen.

Jacquard lamp shades

Jacquard lamp shades are crafted from jacquard fabric, known for its intricate, woven patterns that are often floral, damask, or geometric in design. The patterns are woven directly into the fabric rather than printed, giving the shade a textured and luxurious appearance.

These shades are typically associated with traditional or vintage décor styles, adding elegance and sophistication to spaces.

Often found in warm tones like gold, burgundy, or cream, jacquard lamp shades complement ornate lamp bases made of brass, wood, or ceramic. While visually striking, they may diffuse light more subtly, making them ideal for creating a cozy, ambient glow.

Due to the fabric's texture and weave, jacquard shades are best suited for areas where decorative lighting is desired, such as living rooms, bedrooms, or formal sitting areas.

Burlap lamp shades

Burlap lamp shades feature a coarse, woven texture that brings a rustic, earthy charm to any space. Made from natural jute fibers, these shades are popular in farmhouse, industrial, and bohemian interiors, offering a casual, organic feel.

The open weave of the burlap allows light to pass through while softening it, creating a warm, ambient glow ideal for cozy living rooms, bedrooms, or reading nooks.

Burlap shades pair well with wooden or metal lamp bases, adding texture and depth to simple or vintage-inspired designs. While durable, the material can attract dust, so regular maintenance with a soft brush or vacuum attachment is recommended to keep it looking fresh.

Burlap's neutral tones, ranging from beige to deeper browns, make it a versatile choice that blends seamlessly with natural or rustic color palettes.

Paper Lamp Shades

Another popular material used for lamp shades is paper. Paper again is versatile in that it can be colored and patterned, as well as having different kinds of textures built in to the paper-making process itself. This lends itself to a wide variety of lamp shade designs as well as being lightweight.

Washi paper lamp shades

Washi paper, handcrafted from natural fibers such as mulberry bark, is known for its lightweight, delicate texture. These shades are often used in minimalist or Japanese-style lighting, where they lend a calming, ethereal glow to interiors.

Washi shades are fragile and prone to tearing, so they are best suited for low-traffic areas. Cleaning must be done with a soft brush or gentle dusting to avoid damage.

Parchment paper lamp shades

Parchment paper shades offer a rustic, antique look, often used in vintage or cottage-style settings. Their slightly opaque texture creates a warm, subdued glow that adds coziness to a room.

While parchment is more durable than regular paper, it remains flammable, so proper bulb wattage must be observed to prevent overheating. These shades can be cleaned with a soft cloth or gentle dusting.

Harder lamp shade materials

The internal lining of hard-backed lamp shades are often made from firmer materials such as plastic and acrylic. Other shades, more often found as part of a new lamp, include metal lamp shades. Metal is much heavier than other materials, and so is glass.

PVC plastic linings

PVC (poly vinyl chloride, a kind of plastic) is a popular material for the inner lining of fabric lamp shades, providing structure and durability. It is lightweight, resistant to moisture, and less prone to tearing than paper or fabric alone.

PVC can withstand heat reasonably well, but exposure to direct sunlight over long periods may cause it to yellow or become brittle. Cleaning PVC-lined shades is straightforward, typically requiring just a wipe with a damp cloth.

Acrylic lamp shades

Acrylic shades are modern, lightweight, and shatter-resistant, making them a practical option for contemporary settings. Acrylic is stronger and lighter-weight than glass and has a clearer color.

Acrylic diffuses light evenly, creating a clean, bright atmosphere. Acrylic is also versatile. It can be molded into different shapes and tinted with various colors.

Over time, however, acrylic can scratch because it is softer than glass, or it can develop a dull surface, so cleaning should be done with non-abrasive cleaners and soft cloths.

Metal (brass, copper, steel) lamp shades

Metal shades offer a bold, industrial look and are highly durable. Materials like brass, copper, or steel reflect light rather than diffuse it, directing light downward or outward in focused beams.

Meta lamp shades are well-suited for task lighting or spaces where a vintage or industrial aesthetic is desired. Metal shades are easy to maintain and can be polished to maintain their shine, though they may develop patina over time, adding character.

Glass Lamp Shades

Glass is another medium used for lamp shade construction, owing to its ability to be shaped and blown using a wide variety of colors and patterns. Whether its a one-piece solid shade or a tiffany shade many from hundreds of small art-glass colored and textured pieces, glass shades give a more solid and colorful look to the lamp.

When light shines through the glass it lights up with beautiful tones, and is designed to allow more light to pass through and light the shade itself.

Frosted glass lamp shades

Frosted glass shades soften light, reducing glare and creating a gentle, ambient atmosphere. They are popular in modern, industrial, or minimalist designs due to their sleek, understated look.

Frosted glass shades are also easy to clean, usually requiring only a wipe with a glass cleaner. However, they are fragile and can shatter if dropped, so careful handling is essential.

Stained glass tiffany lamp shades

Stained glass shades, often associated with Tiffany-style lamps, are known for their intricate designs and vibrant colors. They create striking visual effects when illuminated, casting colored light patterns in a room.

Tiffany lamp shades are constructed from many small pieces of colored toughened glass, each with its own unique variations in color and texture. These are held together with a metal framework and are arranged to create colorful and often nature-inspired designs.

Tiffany shades are heavy and delicate, requiring careful placement and occasional cleaning with a soft cloth. Stained glass is ideal for artistic or vintage interiors where it can serve as a centerpiece.

Opal glass lamp shades

Opal glass is opaque with a glossy finish, making it ideal for diffusing light evenly without revealing the bulb inside. These shades are common in contemporary or minimalist designs, adding elegance without drawing too much attention.

Opal glass is durable but can show fingerprints or dust, so regular cleaning with a lint-free cloth is recommended to maintain its appearance.

Natural Lamp Shades

Other natural materials can be used for lamp shades, although these are again less common, due in part to their weight and the amount of work needed to construct a lamp shade with them.

This includes wood lamp shades and rattan and bamboo lamp shades, which are all beautiful materials in their own right and can be sculpted into a variety of shapes.

Wood veneer lamp shades

Wood veneer shades offer a warm, organic aesthetic, ideal for rustic or nature-inspired interiors. The thin layers of wood allow some light to pass through, creating a cozy, natural glow.

Veneer shades are delicate and should be kept away from high-humidity areas to prevent warping. Cleaning requires careful dusting, and exposure to direct sunlight should be minimized to prevent discoloration.

Rattan and Bamboo lamp shades

Rattan and bamboo shades bring a touch of bohemian or tropical charm to a space. Their woven patterns allow light to filter through, creating interesting textures of light and shadow.

These natural materials are lightweight and breathable but can be susceptible to moisture and fraying over time. They are best suited for indoor use and can be cleaned with a dry or slightly damp cloth.

Capiz shell lamp shades

Capiz shells are made from thin, translucent seashells that shimmer when illuminated. These shades create a coastal or eclectic vibe, adding subtle color and texture to a space.

They allow light to filter through beautifully, but the shells are fragile and should be handled with care. Cleaning is usually done with a soft, dry cloth to maintain their delicate surface.

Mica lamp shades

Mica lamp shades are made from thin sheets of mica minerals, typically bonded with resin to create a warm, translucent material that allows soft light to filter through. Known for their earthy, natural appearance, mica shades often feature amber, bronze, or reddish-brown tones, giving them a rustic or vintage charm.

These shades are popular in Mission, Arts and Crafts, or Southwestern-style décor, complementing wood and metal lamp bases. Mica’s durability makes it ideal for both table and floor lamps, but it is still lightweight enough to be shaped into various forms.

However, because mica is heat-sensitive, it's recommended to use low-wattage bulbs to prevent damage. Over time, the subtle variations and textures in the mica panels develop a beautiful patina, enhancing the shade’s character and appeal.

Lamp shade linings

If a lamp shade is covered with a single layer of material, typically a fabric, some of the light will pass through the material and cause the material itself to illuminate.

The color of the material will influence and filter the color of the light that passes through. So for example a red lamp shade will cause the light which passes through it to become redder, by filtering out other colors, and will produce a warmer light in the room.

Sometimes this effect is undesirable, whereby you may want to have your lamp shade be a certain color on the outside, but without causing the light itself to turn into a different color.

Perhaps you'd prefer the light be remain white while having a colored shade. Some white light will pass out the ends of the shade anyway, but you may opt for a shade with a lining.

A lamp shade lining is a second layer of material, sometimes in a different material than the outer layer, which covers the inside of the lamp shade. This lining is mainly designed to be functional, ie to reflect as much light as possible, and/or to block as much light as possible from passing through the sides of the lamp shade.

Typically this lining will be white, or may also be reflective such as a silver lined lamp shade or a gold lined lamp shade. Note that the gold-lined lamp shade will reflect a more golden light rather than a white light, which changes the light color.

With a lining, more of the light bounces around the inside of the lamp shade and then passes out through the top and bottom of the shade. Note that because less light is passing through or filtering through the outer shell of the lamp shade, the light will appear to be somewhat brighter and more focused. So a lined lamp shade can help to give the light a brighter appearance.

Note that a lined shade will also make it look as though the lamp shade itself is not illuminated or glowing and therefore the colors or designs in the outer lamp shade material might not be so apparent or colorful.

This in turn could be a good thing if you want the lamp shade to be more understated and functional, or less so if you want to enjoy the look of of a glowing shade.

Soft back lamp shades

A softback lamp shade is made with a flexible outer fabric, such as silk, cotton, or linen, stretched over a metal frame.

Unlike hardback shades, which have a rigid liner (typically made from plastic or styrene) to hold their shape, softback shades rely solely on the tension of the fabric and the underlying metal frame for structure.

This design allows for a softer, more relaxed appearance, with curves and folds that can add elegance and texture to the lamp.

The fabric covering of a softback shade influences how light is diffused. It usually lets more light pass through than a hardback shade, creating a warm, ambient glow.

However, because the fabric is unsupported by a rigid liner, softback shades may gradually sag or wrinkle over time, especially with extended use or in humid environments.

To maintain their shape, these shades often feature vertical “spokes” or ribs in the metal frame that help support the fabric.

Softback lamp shades are commonly used in traditional or decorative settings, where their flowing appearance complements classic or ornate lamp bases. They are also popular in bedrooms, living rooms, and other spaces where a soft, diffused light is desirable.

Although they offer a refined look, these shades require more care than hardback ones, as the fabric can collect dust and may be more prone to damage. Regular dusting and gentle handling help maintain their shape and appearance over time.

Hard back lamp shades

A hardback lamp shade is constructed with fabric or paper adhered to a stiff inner lining, typically made from plastic, styrene, or other rigid materials. This rigid liner gives the shade its structure, allowing it to maintain a fixed shape without the need for an intricate metal frame.

The outer material—such as cotton, linen, silk, or parchment—is glued directly to the inner liner, creating a durable and easy-to-maintain surface.

Hardback shades are designed to produce more focused and directional light, with less glow filtering through the material compared to softback shades. This makes them ideal for task lighting or areas where more defined illumination is needed, such as in offices, reading nooks, or kitchens.

The rigid lining also ensures that hardback shades are more resistant to sagging or wrinkling over time, maintaining a clean, structured appearance.

Because of their durable design, hardback shades are low-maintenance and can be easily cleaned with a soft cloth or vacuum attachment. They are available in a wide variety of shapes and styles, from modern drum shades to traditional empire designs.

While they offer practical advantages, the rigidity of the inner lining limits the types of curves or folds that can be incorporated, making hardback shades better suited for sleek, minimalist, or contemporary styles.

Popular lamp shade colors and patterns

Lamp shades come in a variety of colors and designs. Common lamp shades are often a single plain color, such as white or beige. But it depends on the materials used and on the design of the shade.

Shades are also available in a variety of patterns and styles, including floral shades, shades with stripes or repeating patterns, and so on. Most often a lampshade will be a single color, often made with fabric, although sometimes the fabric might feature a subtle texture or color variations.

White and off-white lamp shades

White lamp shades are very popular because white goes with just about anything. They work well with any kind of lamp base and look clean and stylish. They also coordinate easily with any room color scheme and remain neutral.

In addition to pure white colored shades, off-white or not-quite-white colors are also popular and help to soften the coloring so that the white isn't so stark.

Cream lamp shades are popular offering a warmer yellowish creamy color. If you prefer to go a little more towards the red end of the spectrum you can also look for egg-shell lamp shades which have a slightly redder look similar to the color of some egg shells.

You can also find general off-white lamp shades which are like a very light gray, slightly less intense than a pure white, and not as creamy or reddish as others. These off-white shades are more of a neutral light gray tone.

Black lamp shades

Black lamp shades are another popular choice because the black is neutral and can coordinate with a wide range of decor. The black shade looks modern and sleek and understated, well suited to a darker room theme.

The black helps the shade to diminish from attention, which can also help to place more attention on the lamp base. Black is also very good at absorbing light which helps to reduce glare from the light bulb compared to a white shade.

Beige and brown lamp shades

Another popular choice for a lamp shade is a beige shade. The beige or tan lamp shade will be a little darker than the off-whites and creams, with a soothing warm light brown coloring.

The beige or brown goes well with many living rooms for example featuring warm brown tones and beiges which are very popular for furniture.

The beige is less intense than a white and the warm brown coloring helps to keep a warmer vibe in the room. The beige may also coordinate with more natural textures such as woods.

Colorful lamp shades

Beyond the popular neutral tones of white black and beige, lamp shades are also available in a wide variety of colors.

The entire rainbow is represented including red lamp shades which are quite popular, along with orange lamp shades, green and blue lamp shades, even purple and pink lamp shades.

These would be more ideally suited if the lamp base featured some of these colors, and/or if the room features these brighter colors. The colored shade will likely stand out more and be noticed.

A colorful lamp shade would make more of a statement in the room and add a pop of accent color to help round out the room's overall color palette. Colored lamp shades can add that extra highlight of appeal especially in a modern or more playful room.

Floral lamp shades

Various patterning designs are popular with lamp shade materials including floral designs. The floral lamp shades may also include leaf designs and even abstract or geometric patterns resembling elements of nature.

Bringing the nature indoors has long been popular to create a more relaxed and natural living environment, as well as highlighting the beauty and colors available in nature's palette.

Floral shades are a good choice for matching with floral interior design elements such as flowery curtains and couches, as well as rustic and farmhouse interiors design styles.

Patterned lamp shades

Lamp shades can also be finished with a pattern, such as geometric shapes, stripes, swirling abstract designs, repeated motifs and more.

If the lamp shade is printed using modern printing techniques it's even possible they could be covered with just about any image, including collages of personal photos, and just about any kind of design imaginable.

Of course, the more you introduce patterns and color and intricate details into the lamp shade the more if becomes a focal point and a talking point. This may or may not be what you want depending on your design choices.

Adding a splash of color and a snazzy pattern could be just the extra zip your room needs.

Lamp Shade Frame Materials

Lamp shades are typically constructed from a metal frame, pulling from a variety of common metals. The frame is there to support and structure the shape of the lamp shade and also to provide an underlying framework for the materials used to cover it.

Steel lamp shade frames

Steel is one of the most common materials used for lamp shade frames due to its strength and durability. It maintains its shape well over time and resists bending, even with frequent adjustments.

To prevent rust, steel frames are often coated with protective finishes, such as powder-coating, making them suitable for a variety of styles, from modern to traditional. They are also affordable, which makes them a popular choice for mass-produced shades.

Brass lamp shade frames

Brass is another popular choice, especially for decorative or high-end lamp shades. It is naturally resistant to corrosion, making it durable and long-lasting.

Brass frames are often polished to a shiny finish or given a patina for an antique look, making them perfect for vintage or luxury designs. While brass adds elegance and complements upscale materials like silk, it is heavier and more expensive than steel, limiting its use to more refined or specialty shades.

Aluminum lamp shade frames

Aluminum frames are valued for being lightweight and rust-resistant, though they are not as strong as steel. Their light weight makes them ideal for larger or minimalist shades, such as drum pendants or modern lighting fixtures. Aluminum frames are often anodized or painted to prevent oxidation and to match the aesthetic of the lamp. This material is a good option when weight is a concern, though it may not be as durable for heavy-duty use.

Wire lamp shade frames

Some lamp shades use wire frames, which are lightweight and flexible, allowing for more intricate or custom designs. Wire frames can be coated with plastic or painted to match the shade’s material and prevent rusting.

These frames are often found in drum shades or novelty lamps with unusual shapes, as the wire allows for easy manipulation into specific forms. However, they may lack the durability of thicker metal frames.

Iron lamp shade frames

Iron frames are strong and sturdy but heavier than other materials. Without a protective coating, iron is prone to rust, so it is usually powder-coated or painted for longevity.

Iron frames are often used in industrial or rustic lamp shades, where the frame is sometimes exposed as part of the lamp’s design. While durable, the added weight of iron can make it less practical for portable lamps.

Plastic or resin lamp shade frames

Plastic or resin frames are lightweight and inexpensive but less durable than metal alternatives. These frames are often found in low-cost or temporary shades, where weight and durability are not critical.

Plastic frames can be molded into specific shapes and are usually hidden beneath fabric, making them functional but not decorative. However, they are more prone to warping and may not withstand prolonged exposure to heat.