When most of us think of shopping for lamp shades, the first thing we think of is color. While color is important, it's also essential to shop for the right size shade. The wrong lamp shade looks like a cartoon character with a head three times too big or too small for his body. When you buy the wrong size lamp shade, it can stick out like a sore thumb.

One of the best ways to find the right size shade for your light fixtures is to measure the socket. The lamp shade should fully cover the light socket, but it shouldn't be so large that it overshadows the lamp itself. If you're not sure what size lampshade to buy, you can always experiment with a few different options. I can't think of a home improvement store, especially among those that are online, that doesn't allow you return or exchange your purchases.

Custom Lamp Shades

No discussion about lamp shades would be complete, without touching on the idea of color. If the wrong size lamp shade sticks out like a sore thumb, the wrong color lamp shade sticks out like a sore hand. Unless you're planning on remodeling an entire room around your new lamp shade, you need to make sure it matches the color scheme and style of your room.

Fortunately, you have a wide selection of shades to choose from. Heck, you can even design your own lamp shades if you have the patience and the time for a craft project. If you want to set a softer tone for your room, you might want to go with pastel shades made of linen. If you want to create a sultry look, you might want to consider darker shades made from plush materials.