10 best lampshades that will inject personality into your living space

Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

This stand-out drum shade forms part of Pooky’s new collaboration with British heritage brand Liberty. The print is taken from Liberty’s legendary archive and features bold and pigment-rich botanical illustrations on a richly textured dark background. The perfectly crafted shade comes in three sizes, meaning it’s suited to table lamps, floor lamps and as a ceiling light, but even in the petite 25cm configuration, we found it offers a big impact on the style front. Team it with a bright jade or turquoise ceramic lamp to really bring out the colours.

Best: Bang for our buck

Rating: 9/10

Offering incredible value for money is Dunelm’s origami-inspired ceiling shade. Proving that great design doesn’t have to cost the earth, the shade arrives folded, cleverly opens up, and is secured with concealed magnets, ensuring it keeps its attractive shaping. This one’s easy to hang and once lit, the dynamic folds really come to life. We were impressed with the quality of the shade. The paper is nicely thick and stays rigid. And, scoring points on sustainability, the shade can be recycled once it’s reached the end of its life. That said, we’re in no doubt it’ll last for years. 

Best: For instant glamour

Rating: 9/10

This is one glamorous lampshade that demands pride of place in the living room – and even if it’s positioned in the corner on a standard lamp it’ll take centre stage. We loved the Ravenala shade for its mix of traditional and contemporary styles. The perfectly rounded drum shape is modern but both the pattern and the fringing recall Art Deco design. Printed on 100 per cent linen, the shade offers a warming ambience once lit, while the gold lining further adds to the glow. We loved the little details on this well-crafted piece, namely the looped gold fringing and the intricate metallic geometrics.

Best: Seagrass shade

Rating: 8/10

What we loved most about this craft-driven shade is its juxtaposition of rustic materials and formal shaping. The lampshade is handwoven in seagrass and as such, boasts a wonderfully artisanal look with its bumpy texture and natural variations in tone. The seagrass changes colour over time and promises to age beautifully, while the scalloped edging adds a fun, granny-like prim and proper look. This one adds instant warmth to bedrooms and living spaces alike, and that’s before it’s even illuminated.

Best: For colour lovers

Rating: 8/10

For fans of a bold stripe, the beach hut coolie lampshade is just the ticket. Fresh and modern, the shade is impressively hand-painted in opposing angled wide stripes, which awards it its striking look, while its simple, conical form allows the pattern to do all the talking. This one’s painted with Culture Hustle’s acrylic “easy klein” – a rich and bright primary blue – but there’s also the option to choose a custom paint colour from Farrow & Ball’s extensive colour wheel.   

Best: Brass shade

Rating: 9/10

You can always rely on Matilda Goad for quirky-beautiful homewares. With its solid form, the brass concertina lampshade is a move away from the brand’s signature (softer) scalloped raffia shades. Mimicking a pleated fabric lampshade, this brushed brass number offers a glamorous take on a classic and, thanks to the nature of the material, a lovely dynamic of light and shade, whether it’s lit up or not. This one works best when paired with the brand’s matching lamp for a chic mono look. Stylish and surprising, with a nod to vintage style.

Best: Sustainable style

Rating: 9/10

Black and white stripes are never not chic. This affordable but stylish shade caught our eye for its arresting pattern and shape. Handmade from recycled paper, the origami-inspired lampshade offers sculptural interest up above and, despite its humble materials, works well in any home setting – including a formal dining space. We loved the way the lantern-like shade unfolds to create its multifaceted form. And that’s further accentuated by the narrow stripes. A beautiful, design-led piece that won’t break the bank.

Best: Self-assembly shade

Rating: 8/10

The brainchild of paper collage artist Rosalind Freeborn, Papershades is a simple but oh so effective concept that brings colour and joy to our living spaces. The shade consists of five printed sections and includes upper and lower internal wheels, which connect the panels to create a curvy sculptural shade that’s perfect for table and standard lamps alike. We loved the DIY aspect: the ready to assemble kit arrives in an A4 envelope and the shade can be put together in a jiffy. Choose from a huge range of painterly designs.

Best: For indoor/outdoor style

Rating: 8/10

The indoor rattan trend continues to bring a laid-back bohemian vibe to our bedrooms and living spaces – and this cage-like dome shade is no exception. Simple in form, the lampshade is woven from an all-natural rattan, which gives it a hand-made, artisanal feel, while the loose weave allows us to show off a cool vintage-style filament bulb inside. As with all BHS’s lighting offering, the shade is affordable but reliably well made. This one will create a relaxed and homely aesthetic. Hang it low for the full effect.

Best: For music loving maximalists

Rating: 9/10

Channelling Ziggy Stardust, the Ottavio is one fashion forward lampshade that makes a statement in any home setting. The shade is crafted from a luxurious silk and features a colour clash of block-printed chevron stripes. The vibrant pattern is interrupted with the material’s neat folds, awarding the shade a pleasing textural element. Formal in shape yet unapologetically rebellious in pattern and colour, we loved this stylish shade on our table lamp.