I found these methods of calculating the size of a lampshade.
There are three basic things that should be kept in mind while choosing a lamp shade, the shape, the diameter of the bottom of the shade and the height of the shade.
Some of the major shapes are round, oval, hexagonal, rectangular, square, bell etc. Of these shapes, drum and rectangular shapes are the most modern look.
Generally, the width of the lamp shade is determined by the height of the lamp. A lamp shade size too large for the lamp can make the lamp to fall over. Too small, it may look awkward. The height of the lamp shade must not be taller than the height of the base of the lamp or must be of the same height.
How to Size a Lamp Shade
1.
The shape of the shade should be similar to the shape of the lamp base. If the lamp base is square, a square-shaped shade will usually look better than a circular shade.
2.
Measure the height of the lamp from the bottom to the socket cap.
3.
Measure the distance from the bottom of the lamp harp to the top of the lamp harp,the metal that runs from just beneath the socket to above the light bulb and supports the lamp shade.
4.
Select a lamp shade that has a height within 1/2 in. of the harp height and a dia. within two in. of the lamp height. If the harp height is 5 in. and the lamp height is 8 in.,then a lamp shade with a height between 4.5 & 5.5 in. and a dia. between 6 & 10 in.
How to Measure a Lamp for a Lampshade
1.
It is usually best to keep the shape of the lamp shade similar to the shape of the lamp base.
2.
Measure the lamp base height to determine the bottom diameter measurement for the lamp shade. Measuring from the bottom edge of the base to right under the base of the socket cap.
3.
Choose a lamp shade with a bottom diameter measuring within +/- 2 in. of the lamp base height. For ex., if the lamp base height is 12 in., then the bottom dia. for a lamp shade could be 10-14 in.
4.
Determine the height for your lamp shade by measuring the height of the lamp harp that holds the lamp shade. Measure from the bottom of the bulb socket cap to the top of the harp.
5.
Choose a lamp shade with a vertical height within one-half inch of the height of the harp.
How to Determine Size of Shades for Lamps
1.
Measure the height of the lamp from the base to the top of the shade. The height of the lamp shade should be about 40 percent of this measurement.
2.
Measure the height from the bottom of the base to the bottom of the light bulb socket. The diameter of the bottom of the lamp shade should be within 2 in. of this measurement.
3.
The top diameter of the lamp shade should be about half of the diameter of the bottom of the lamp shade, unless the shade is a straight cylinder.
Dec 05, 2009
re- the right size base for lamp shadesNEW by: Anonymous
I don't know if this is helpful or not, but I am interested in learning the same information...
By chance, I had 2 lamp shades on two bases that both looked pretty "wrong"! When I swapped them over they immediately looked better.... by putting the 20cm base with the 20cm (long) shade, and the 30cm lamp and 30cm base together, a greater sense of balance was achieved.
I haven't made enough shades in my time to have much experience with this, and I'm guessing the equal combinations wouldn't necessarily apply every time, but perhaps there is something in it!!?
good luck, and keep us posted!
Jet
