Hardback lampshades are made of fabric or paper laminated to a stiff plastic liner. The sleek design features clean lines and a smooth surface when lit, due to the lack of internal wires. While they are loved for their modern aesthetic and affordability, choosing the right shape can be daunting. Here is a breakdown of the most common hardback lampshade shapes to help you find the perfect match.
The Drum
The Drum is a mid-century classic currently enjoying a major modern resurgence. Typically featuring a top diameter nearly equal to the bottom (often just a 1-inch difference), drums provide excellent ambient lighting. They reflect light upward and downward, making them ideal for floor lamps and tall table lamps. Variations include cylinders, retro drums, shallow drums and deep drums.
The Empire
The Empire is the “workhorse” of the industry. This versatile, sloping shade typically features a top diameter about half the size of its base. Because the wide bottom directs light downward, it is the premier choice for task lighting, reading nooks and desks. It is great for almost any fixture, from chandeliers to traditional floor lamps.
The Cone
For a more dramatic flair, the Cone (or Coolie) offers a sharp, aggressive taper. This bold geometry creates a contemporary look that instantly draws the eye. Its wide base pushes the majority of light downward, making it a stylish choice for accent lighting. Choose between deeper or flatter tapers to match your room.
The Square
Square shades offer an angular design that distributes lights more evenly upward and downward. Variations of the square shade include “cut corners” with a round indent in each corner of the square and bells with a curved taper, rather than a straight line. Beyond aesthetics, their flat sides allow you to push a lamp closer to a wall or into a tight corner.
The Rectangle and the Oval
Rectangles and Ovals offer the same clean lines as square or drum shades but with a much slimmer profile. They have two main benefits: to match lamps with similar shaped bases or to fit in a tighter location than a square or drum shade could. These narrower shapes work well in places like an entry way, the corner of a room or the top of a roll top desk.
Even More Shapes
Hardback lampshade shapes are by no means limited to the ones above. Hexagons, pyramids, and other “fancy” varieties abound. If you need help choosing the perfect lampshade shape, check out our 5-step guide or contact us at the store!
