Changing Up the Norm: Decorating with a Drum Lamp Shade

A drum lamp shade has a distinctive shape and style; it is becoming quite a popular choice for interior lighting and can be easily adapted to fit different rooms. They owe their name to the fact they resemble a round oil drum, in contrast to other lamp shades that come in bell, square, or rectangle shapes, just to name a few examples. Changing up your lamp shade to this drum shape gives you some versatility as far as colors and sizes, though the key to success is how well it will fit with the rest of the room's style.

Room Setting

Most drum lamp shades have been found to fit best with minimalist, contemporary room designs. Rooms with clean furniture lines, solid colors, metal finishes, and glass table tops would look the best with a drum lamp shade with similar lines, colors, finishes, and features. Colors do not have to match exactly, but they should be complementary according to basic design principles.

Drum Shade Function

Due to their simpler construction, drum lamp shades are less costly to manufacture than more ornate ones. Those savings are then passed down to the consumer, making the drum lamp shade a more economical choice. Many home owners enjoy the fact that drum shades dispense light evenly in all directions, making larger rooms more thoroughly lit. Drum lamp shades are also known for their good rates of ventilation, which greatly reduces over heated light bulbs even after leaving your lamp on for several hours.

Lamp Shade Base

Another important factor to consider when selecting a drum shade is the type of lamp base you are working with. Simpler shades are generally paired with more elaborate bases, as a rule of thumb. Pairing a solid colored drum shade with a simpler base can create a too-stark look for most interiors. A base and drum shade that both have elaborate carvings or decorations can result in a look that is too busy and cluttered for a lot of rooms.

Space and Position  

Drum lamp shades can change the look of space in a room, making an area look either smaller or larger. This is an idea to keep in mind when deciding where to place your lamp with a drum shade. Consider what your drum lamp shade will look like in corners, towards the middle of the room, close to different furniture, or off center towards either the left or right side. Also consider windows and/or glass doors and how the lamp's lighting will be affected by the natural light coming in at different times of the day.

Drum Shade Materials

Drum lamp shades are available in a wide range of colors, and the more popular ones are made from silk fabric, brass, and other metals with a fabric liner. Higher end drum shades can be finished with hand woven silk and embroidered accent appliques. Metal shades can often be customized with a fabric liner that coordinates with the rest of the room's colors. Always keep in mind that these choices should complement and enhance the rest of the room's design.