We’re continuing our weekly #DesignTipTuesday series, primarily on Instagram, but we couldn’t resist posting today’s topic on the blog as well. So, the age-old question—how do you choose the right lampshade?

Size Matters
The lampshade itself should actually be 75-200% of the actual height of the lamp itself! Most often, people buy tiny lamp shades for big, giant lamps, but we’re here to say, that’s wrong.
Go Outside the Box
Have some fun with the lampshade and get creative. A tube shape is always fun, or even square and can add a whole different look and feel to an otherwise traditional lamp.

Material, material, material
Don’t just look for the traditional, standard silk sheet lampshades, but try out something usual like a patterned shade or perhaps a burlap material. You can easily pull off a very busy lamp base if you choose a more conservative or plain shade, and vice versa! I’ve seen gorgeous lampshades, for instance from Anthropologie, paired with a traditional, classic base.

Above all, don't forget to have some fun. Selecting lampshades and lighting is usually one of the most stressful stages of decorating a home, but it doesn’t have to be!