Specifying lampshades should be a straightforward part of the design process. In practice, it is often complicated by incomplete information, late adjustments, or small inconsistencies that appear across rooms, floors, or phases of a project. When a studio is delivering work across multiple locations, whether in the UK or the Middle East, clear specifications become essential.
At Iberian Lighting, we combine traditional craft with engineering-led precision. A lampshade is not only a decorative detail but a component that shapes how light behaves across a room. When the specification is accurate, the atmosphere feels intentional. When it is vague, the quality of light becomes unpredictable.
This guide brings together the principles we use when supporting interior design studios across residential, hospitality, and commercial projects. It outlines the key considerations, from lighting intent and shape selection to fabric behaviour and production requirements, to help you specify with confidence and achieve consistent results at scale.
Begin with the Lighting Intent
Every successful specification begins with understanding the role the light must play in the space. A living room requires softness. A hotel suite needs consistency. A dining interior relies on atmosphere with reduced glare. A retail environment requires clean, directional light that suits photography.
Design considerations include the following.
Identify whether the shade should diffuse, direct, or accent light.
Confirm sight lines and areas where glare must be controlled.
Decide whether the light source should be visible or concealed.
Consider cultural expectations, particularly in the Middle East where warm and inviting light is often preferred.
Clarity at this stage makes it easier to select the correct scale, shape, fabric, and lining.
Choose Shapes That Support the Plan
Different shapes alter the spread and strength of the light. When shades are handmade these differences become more precise and more noticeable.
Drum Shades
Balanced, modern, and even in distribution.
Suitable for hotel suites, larger rooms, and commercial environments.
Empire and Coolie Shades
A stronger downward focus that reduces glare.
Ideal for seating zones, desks, and task areas.
Tall Cylinders
Introduce height and presence.
Useful for high ceilings or when the lamp base is narrow.
Sculptural and Special Shapes
Best used as statement pieces.
These should be planned early to ensure frame integrity, fabric behaviour, and repeatability.
Shape is the foundation of the lighting behaviour. The correct silhouette turns a lamp into a resolved element within the wider design.
Get the Proportions Right
Proportion affects balance, stability, and the visual presence of the shade. For design studios this is both an aesthetic decision and a technical one, particularly when shades must be reproduced across multiple rooms or phases of a project.
Guiding principles include the following.
Shade diameter should relate closely to the width of the base, usually equal or slightly larger.
Shade height is commonly between sixty and seventy percent of the diameter.
Oversized shades work well in large hospitality interiors and in generous Middle Eastern residential projects.
For matching pairs or suites, repeat the same ratio across all sizes to avoid subtle variation.
Confirm table depth and placement to prevent the shade from appearing visually heavy.
Accurate proportion helps the shade settle into the room without competing for attention.
Understand How Materials Shape Light
Fabric is the medium through which the light must travel. The choice of material affects colour temperature, diffusion, and the overall character of the space.
Linen
Softens the light with a natural texture.
Suitable for relaxed or layered schemes.
Stable across larger diameters.
Silk
Adds richness through its sheen.
Ideal for formal interiors.
Requires careful colour selection to avoid unwanted warmth.
Paper and Parchment
Produce clean, structured light.
Effective for sculptural or graphic schemes.
Need careful handling and precise finishing.
Coloured or Metallised Linings
Gold enriches and warms the light.
Silver keeps the atmosphere clean and controlled.
Coloured linings reduce spill and create intimacy.
Material choice is central to the performance of the shade. Understanding this early prevents revisions once the project is underway.
Specify with Production in Mind
Studios in both the UK and the Middle East benefit from simple, accurate specifications. The more defined the documentation, the more consistent the production.
Important notes include the following.
List all dimensions from the inside of the frame.
Confirm lining type and colour at the beginning of the process.
Check fabric availability and batch variations.
Record top and bottom ring diameters.
Note required trims, finishes, or diffusers.
Request a controlled sample when colour accuracy is essential.
Build in approvals for prototypes when working on complex or high volume projects.
Clear specification allows our workshop to reinforce your design intent over the entire production run.
Consider Consistency for Rollouts and Larger Projects
Hospitality and GCC residential projects often require dozens of identical shades. Consistency becomes a technical requirement rather than an aesthetic choice.
We support this by creating detailed specification sheets, recording fabric batches, storing CAD drawings for frames, and applying quality checks at multiple stages. Physical samples can also be produced and signed off before full production.
This level of control allows us to match shades precisely across repeated orders and multi phase installations.
Conclusion
A lampshade is a modest object, yet it holds significant influence over the atmosphere of a room. When the specification is clear the light is controlled, comfortable, and intentional. When it is left open to interpretation the mood of the space becomes uncertain.
At Iberian Lighting we work closely with interior design studios at every stage of specification. Our work is shaped by British craft, reliable processes, and a clear understanding of how designers operate across both local and international markets. When the details matter, we help you achieve consistency and confidence in the final result.
Further Reading
The Ultimate Guide to Lighting and Lampshades
How Lampshade Fabrics Behave in Professional Lighting Schemes (coming soon)
Shade Geometry and Light Distribution (coming soon)
Lampshades for Hospitality Projects (coming soon)
Working with a UK Manufacturer from Overseas (coming soon)
Comments (0)
There are no comments for this article. Be the first one to leave a message!