Black lampshades

A wide linen cylinder for a living room, a compact teardrop or dome for a bedroom: the format and material decide the light given off by black light shades. The selection brings together linen, fabric, velvet, metal, plastic and wood, mostly with E27 fittings and rated IP20 for dry indoor use.

• Which black light shade should you choose for each room?
• How do you choose a shade based on the lamp base?
• Which material for which light?
• Wall shades and floor lamps
• Coordinating several black shades
• Hanging a shade from the ceiling
• Cleaning and caring for a black shade
• Shade colour and black and white pairing
• Warranty, delivery and returns

Which black light shade should you choose for each room?

For a living room, go for a large diameter, cylindrical or drum shape, in linen: the light spreads widely without dazzling from the sofa. For a bedroom, a more compact teardrop or dome format is enough. Check the E27 fitting and keep in mind that the whole selection is rated IP20, so for dry rooms.

A black shade for the living room

A cylinder 30 to 42 cm in diameter fills the space without weighing it down. The Mirraneta black linen cylindrical shade measures 40 cm in diameter with a gold interior: switched off it stays understated, switched on it warms the room. The Rosranilo matte black half-sphere plays the same card at 42 cm, with a visible metal structure. To explore living room formats further, compare with a shade for the living room.

A black light shade for the bedroom

In a bedroom, you want soft light and a discreet silhouette. The Nyxo black teardrop format comes in at 25 cm, the Vellera cylinder at 18 cm. In velvet, the Doratea shade diffuses even more gently and creates a strong contrast on a bedside table. These models can be found in the models designed for the bedroom. For a complete light fitting, pendant or table lamp, the shade, pendant, table lamp and floor lamp family groups together pre-assembled sets.

How do you choose a shade based on the lamp base?

Start with the socket: the models in this selection mostly screw onto an E27 fitting. Then measure the base diameter and the bulb height, to avoid a shade that is too narrow bumping against the bulb. A teardrop or tube model suits slim bases, a wide cylinder suits heavy bases.

Diameter, height and shape: the measurements that matter

The actual dimensions of the collection give useful reference points: 18 cm for Vellera, 20 cm for Velamen and Doratea, 25 cm for Nyxo, 30 cm for Ombrello and Rugosa, 40 cm for Mirraneta, 42 cm for Rosranilo. As a general rule, the shade diameter stays close to the base diameter, or slightly larger. A shade that is too tall for the base unbalances the whole; too low, it hides the socket. The linen shades offer the widest range of shapes here.

E27 fitting or another socket: how to check

The E27 fitting is the most common on table lamps and floor lamps. Before ordering, read the product sheet of the model you want: the Lornoristo white linen tube shade is an example of an elongated shape that suits slim bases. If your light fitting has another socket, look for a compatible model in our full range of light fittings.

Black shade in linen, fabric, velvet or metal: which material for which light?

Linen and fabric dominate this collection: they diffuse a soft light and do not reflect a direct glare. Velvet softens it further and creates a stronger contrast. Metal and wood stand out mainly through their structure. Several black models have a gold interior that warms the light once switched on.

Linen and fabric: diffused light

A black linen shade filters the light instead of directing it. It is the comfortable choice above a table or sofa, because the bulb is not visible. The Ombrello shade, cylindrical with a gold interior, illustrates this effect. The ribbed fabric of Rugosa adds a vertical relief that reads even when switched off. These materials can be found in the fabric models.

Velvet, metal and wood: contrast and reflection

The Doratea velvet shade absorbs light and gives it back lower, which suits a room where you want to lower the mood in the evening. A metal half-sphere, on the other hand, keeps a visible structure and directs light downwards. Wood, as on Tamburo, brings a warm tone that tempers the black without contradicting it.

How do you install a wall shade or a floor lamp shade?

A wall shade with an articulated arm attaches to the wall and extends to the area to be lit: it is placed behind a sofa or above a worktop. For a floor lamp, the shade is chosen according to the socket diameter and the height of the base.

Fitting a wall shade with an articulated arm

The Indux articulated arm wall light combines an industrial black tube with an arm stated at 40 cm high and 120 cm reach, for 40 W. This range allows you to move the halo from an armchair to a desk without rewiring anything. Fix the bracket to a sound wall, never into hollow plasterboard without reinforcement. With the circuit breaker off, connection is made according to the light fitting instructions.

Placing a shade on a floor lamp or table lamp

On a floor lamp base, the shade screws or sits on the socket depending on the model. A large diameter drum or cylinder format balances a tall base. The Tamburo black drum shade on wooden base combines a wooden base that brings the whole to 65 cm and a 40 cm shade with a gold interior. Check the total height in your room before choosing.

Black industrial chandelier and black living room chandelier: how do you coordinate several black shades?

For a black chandelier, repeat the same shade on each light point: repetition gives unity. The industrial style is recognisable by an exposed structure and simple shapes, the contemporary style by regular cylinders. With black covering the whole collection, coordination is about shape and material.

Composing a chandelier with several black shades

A multi-point chandelier works better with identical shades: same diameter, same material, same height. Mixing a cylinder and a teardrop on the same light fitting breaks the line. If you are looking for a consistent look, the modern style selection brings together cylindrical shapes that are easy to repeat.

Coordinating a black chandelier with an already furnished living room

A black chandelier in a light interior structures the room without darkening it, especially if the inside of the shade is gold. In a light wood living room, prefer linen over metal: the material responds to the wood. If the furniture is already dark, a matte black metal model like Rosranilo avoids a block effect. For a complete set, browse the Designix light fitting catalogue.

How do you hang a shade from the ceiling?

Turn off the power at the circuit breaker, then check that the pendant support is securely fixed to the ceiling. Connect the socket following the light fitting instructions, reassemble the unit and place or screw the shade onto the socket. If in doubt about the connection, call an electrician.

Preparing the support and turning off the power

A pendant shade is light, but the anchor point must hold in the ceiling material, not just in the plaster. Locate the circuit breaker that supplies the room and switch it off before any handling. If the ceiling is plasterboard, a reinforcement or suitable plug is required. This step applies to all shapes, from dome to teardrop.

Placing the shade on the pendant

Once the light fitting is connected, the shade slides onto the socket or is fixed with a ring, depending on the assembly. For a pendant, aim for a height that lets the eye pass without creating glare, generally around 75 cm above a dining table. Models to be fixed are grouped in our pendants and shades to be fixed.

How do you clean and care for a black shade?

A linen or fabric shade is dusted dry, with a soft cloth or a light brush. If you use a mild product, dilute it, wring out the sponge and avoid soaking the material. The models in this collection are guaranteed for two years.

Dusting a linen or fabric shade

Regular dusting is enough in most cases: microfibre cloth on the Vellera black cylindrical shade with gold interior, soft brush on the ribbed fabric of the Rugosa black ribbed rounded model. Switch off and let cool before touching. Never immerse a fabric shade, even lined.

Black soap, changing the fabric and painting

A mild product diluted in water is suitable for metal and plastic, never pure on linen. To change the fabric, remove the shade, take off the old one without forcing the structure, cut the new one from the original pattern and glue it edge to edge. To repaint, a flexible textile paint holds better than a plastic paint that cracks.

Which shade colour is most appropriate, and how do you coordinate black and white?

It all depends on the base and the wall. Black, present throughout this collection, stays neutral and structures a light interior. Black and white creates a stronger contrast. A gold interior, present on some models, warms the light without changing the outer shade.

Solid black, black and white, gold interior: what effect?

Solid black disappears in a dark decor and stands out on a light wall. A gold interior, on the other hand, is only visible when switched on: it is the compromise between an understated exterior and warm light. Compare with the black and white shades if you want to play the contrast openly.

Coordinating a black shade with a light or wooden interior

In a light or wooden interior, a black shade acts as punctuation: one is enough per area. The Doratea velvet also warms through its material. In a baby's room, stick to a small format in linen or fabric, without direct glare, as offered by lighting for a baby's room.

Warranty, delivery and returns: what comes with your black shade

The shades in this collection are guaranteed for two years. Payment is secure, delivery is tracked and returns are possible. Designix customer service answers questions about choice, socket compatibility or assembly, before and after ordering. If in doubt about the socket or dimension: measure your base, compare with the product sheets, then order. To broaden your search to other shapes, head to find all our lighting.

Frequently asked questions