{"title":"Vintage lampshades","description":"\u003cp\u003eA vintage lampshade is chosen first for its shape and material: tapered, bell-shaped or cylindrical, in taut fabric, linen, raffia, opaline or metal. The socket, E14 or E27, and the fixing method then determine which model will go on your bedside lamp, your floor lamp or your pendant light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"quest-ce-quun-abat-jour-vintage\"\u003eWhat is a vintage lampshade and what light does it give?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLook at the shape and material before anything else: a bell, a truncated cone or a cylinder in fabric, opaline or metal sends a warm light downwards and to the sides. The result depends on the opacity of the material and the shade, not on the age of the model. A vintage lampshade dresses a bedside lamp as much as a floor lamp, and pairs with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/luminaire\"\u003eour entire lighting range\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eVintage 50s, 60s or 70s lampshade: how to recognise the style?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 50s give a small bell with a clean edge, in taut fabric or metal, often beige, eau-de-nil or black. The 60s stretch the cone and the cylinder, with prints and opaline, in oranges, mustards and whites. The 70s embrace the wide bell and fringes, in velvet or raffia, in browns and ochres. The Scandinavian style stays with a pared-back cylinder in linen or pale cotton. These shape cues guide you more reliably than a decade label.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat light does a vintage lampshade give?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA thick fabric filters strongly and concentrates the light upwards and downwards; a thin fabric lets through a wider halo; opaline diffuses without a marked shadow; metal directs the beam. For a reading corner, a bulb around 2700 K keeps a warm tone consistent with the style. Compare the results in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jour\"\u003eour selection of lampshades\u003c\/a\u003e before settling on a shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"matiere-tissu-verre-metal\"\u003eVintage lampshade in fabric, glass or metal: which material to choose?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaut fabric filters the light and sends it downwards, linen gives a warmer tone, raffia filters while creating slight shadows, opaline and glass diffuse without marked contrast, metal directs the light. The choice therefore depends on the room and the use, not only on the style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ccaption\u003eVintage lampshade material: the light result\u003c\/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMaterial\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDiffused light\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eStyle\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRecommended room\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTaut fabric\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFiltered, directed up and down\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRetro, understated\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLiving room, bedside\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLinen\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWarm, slightly filtered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScandinavian, natural\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBedroom, living room\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRaffia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFiltered with small shadows\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVintage 70s\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReading corner, hallway\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOpaline glass\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft, without marked contrast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60s, opaline\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBedside, sideboard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMetal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDirected, contrasting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndustrial, 50s\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDesk, pendant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eVintage fabric lampshade: cotton, linen or raffia?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaut cotton stretches easily and stays crisp on a bell. Linen brings a visible grain and a more amber light, ideal in a bedroom. Raffia casts fine stripes on the nearby wall, which fills an empty corner without lighting the whole room. See the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jours-en-tissu\"\u003efabric lampshades\u003c\/a\u003e for a classic filtered result.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eVintage lampshade in glass or opaline: what result?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOpal glass and opaline diffuse a soft, even light, without a sharp cast shadow, which suits a bedside or a hallway piece. These materials are heavier than fabric: the fixing on the socket must be stable. The \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jours-en-lin\"\u003elinen models\u003c\/a\u003e stay lighter if you change lamps often.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"choisir-avec-le-pied\"\u003eHow to choose a lampshade in relation to the lamp base?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lampshade must stay proportionate to the base: wide enough to cover the socket and the bulb, tall enough not to show the cap, without overwhelming the base. Check the fixing method and the socket diameter, E14 or E27, before deciding on the shape and material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ccaption\u003eWhich lampshade for which lamp support\u003c\/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSupport\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLampshade format\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRecommended shape\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSocket\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBedside lamp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmall format, sitting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTapered or bell\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eE14\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFloor lamp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge format, taller than wide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCylinder or truncated cone\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eE27\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePendant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMedium to large, open top and bottom\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBell or globe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eE27\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWall light and ceiling light\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmall, directional\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHalf-bell or cylinder\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eE14 or E27\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eVintage lampshade for a floor lamp: which format?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn a floor lamp, choose a large lampshade taller than it is wide: it covers the bulb when you read seated and does not dazzle. A cylinder or truncated cone in taut fabric spreads the light up and down. The \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jours-pour-salon\"\u003elampshades for the living room\u003c\/a\u003e gather the formats designed for this type of base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich glass lampshade for a bedside lamp?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA small opaline glass lampshade suits a bedside lamp if it stays compact and lets the bulb breathe: glass heats up and blocks air more than fabric. A low opaline bell gives a soft light on waking. See the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jours-pour-chambre\"\u003emodels for the bedroom\u003c\/a\u003e to coordinate several light points.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"accrocher-au-plafond\"\u003eHow to hang a lampshade from the ceiling and install a pendant?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn a socket, the lampshade screws on with a ring or clips on, with the bulb removed and the power switched off at the breaker. For a pendant, the fixing starts from an eye bolt or a hook anchored in the ceiling, chosen according to the support and the weight of the lamp. Check that the lampshade never touches the bulb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to install a lampshade on a socket?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnplug, remove the bulb, then fit the lampshade onto the socket or the intended support. Depending on the model, it screws on with a ring, is fixed with prongs or clips on. Tighten without forcing: an over-tightened ring cracks the cardboard of the crown. Refit the bulb and check that it does not touch the fabric once switched on. The fixing details are given on each product page of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jour\"\u003eall the lampshades\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePendant lampshade: which ceiling fixing?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wire comes down from an eye bolt or a hook anchored in the support, concrete or hollow board, with a suitable plug. The weight of the lampshade and the socket rests on this fixing, not on the cable. A bell or globe lampshade, open at the top and bottom, lets air through and prevents overheating. The \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jours-coloris-blanc\"\u003ewhite finishes\u003c\/a\u003e blend into a pale ceiling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"changer-le-tissu\"\u003eHow to change the fabric of a lampshade?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeel off the original fabric while keeping the metal frame, clean it, then stretch a new fabric cut with a margin and glue it edge to edge, with the excess folded inwards. A thin, plain fabric stretches more easily than a thick print. Let it dry before refitting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich fabric to choose to re-cover a lampshade?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA thin cotton, a light linen or a plain voile forgive creases when gluing. Avoid thick fabrics, heavy prints and synthetic materials that mark under the iron. Always cut wider than the frame and fold the excess inwards for a clean finish. The \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jours-en-tissu\"\u003etextile lampshades\u003c\/a\u003e ready to fit save you this job if time is short.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to care for a vintage lampshade?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDust dry with a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner fitted with a nozzle, without rubbing. Glass washes in warm water, fabric only if the material allows it and without soaking the crown. Then check that the bulb does not touch the fabric and tighten the fixing. For a fragile frame, the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jours-en-lin\"\u003enatural linen for lampshades\u003c\/a\u003e remains the easiest to stretch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"accorder-deco\"\u003eHow to match a vintage lampshade to a vintage decor?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA vintage lampshade is matched to the room by shade and material before shape: an orange or a black creates a strong contrast and calls for a calm setting around it, while a white, a sand or a linen blends into a Scandinavian interior. Fringes add relief without changing the light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOrange or black vintage lampshade: which colour to choose?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrange warms a room with neutral walls and echoes the 60s. Black structures a pale interior and underlines the shape of a bell. In both cases, keep a single strong piece per corner and check the shade when switched on, because a coloured fabric colours the light. Compare the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jours-coloris-noir\"\u003eblack versions\u003c\/a\u003e with the rest of your decor before deciding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eScandinavian vintage lampshade: which fabric and which shape?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Scandinavian style keeps a pared-back cylinder, in linen or cotton, in whites, sands and pale greys. The light stays soft and even, without fringes or prints. In a baby's room, prefer a closed model that prevents looking directly at the bulb, such as the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jours-pour-chambre-de-bebe\"\u003elampshades for baby rooms\u003c\/a\u003e. The \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jours-moderne\"\u003emodern-style lampshades\u003c\/a\u003e follow the same logic of simple shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"valeur-lampe-ancienne\"\u003eHow to tell if an antique lamp or lampshade is valuable?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe value of an antique lamp lies in its signature or hallmark, the condition of the socket and wiring, the quality of the brass or glass, and the consistency between the base and the lampshade. A complete original piece is not the same as an assembly. The wiring is checked before powering it up again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow did people light their homes in 1900?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1900, indoor lighting relied mainly on the oil lamp, candles and gas, still very present in cities. Electricity spread slowly, and lampshades in opaline, porcelain or fabric protected the eye from the bare source while filtering the light downwards. This is where the bell shapes and clean edges that we look for today come from.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAntique or second-hand lampshade: what signs to look for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLook at the socket, the cable, the fixing holes and the evenness of the seam. A cracked socket or a stiff wire means replacement before use. On a second-hand lampshade, check that the crown is not deformed, otherwise the whole thing will lean on the base. A new model is chosen from \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jour\"\u003eall the lampshades\u003c\/a\u003e if restoring seems too uncertain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"entretien-et-verification\"\u003eHow to care for a vintage lampshade and check that it fits its lamp?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCheck the compatibility of the lampshade with your lamp: the socket diameter, the total height and the fixing method. These three points determine whether the lampshade fits without play or tension.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to clean a fabric lampshade?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStart with dry dusting, without rubbing hard, so as not to mark the grain. If the material allows it, wipe with a barely damp sponge and let it dry in the air, never on a radiator. Do not use a product that would leave a ring. Once dry, refit the lampshade and switch on to check that no stain is visible through the fabric.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to check that a lampshade fits its lamp?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCheck three points: the socket diameter, E14 or E27, the type of fixing (ring, prongs, clip) and the height of the lampshade in relation to the bulb. Once fitted, the lampshade must not tip and the bulb must not touch the fabric. Finally, check the overall proportion: neither too wide nor too narrow for the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSecure payment, tracked delivery, returns and Designix customer service: you order without taking a blind risk. If you are hesitating between two shapes, first note the socket of your lamp and the space available around the room, then browse the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jours-pour-chambre\"\u003ebedroom bedside lamps\u003c\/a\u003e for a small format, or the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/luminaire\"\u003efull lighting catalogue\u003c\/a\u003e if you are fitting out several rooms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"faq\"\u003eFrequently asked questions about vintage lampshades\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow to install a lampshade?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eUnplug the lamp, remove the bulb, then fit the lampshade onto the socket or the intended support. Depending on the model, it screws on with a ring, is fixed with prongs or clips on. Tighten without forcing, refit the bulb and check that the lampshade does not touch the bulb when switched on.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow to hang a lampshade from the ceiling?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor a pendant, the wire runs from an eye bolt or a hook fixed in the ceiling, then down to the socket. Switch off the power at the breaker, choose a fixing suited to the support, concrete or board, and check that it holds the weight of the lamp. The lampshade is then fitted onto the socket.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhich glass lampshade for a bedside lamp?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn opaline glass lampshade diffuses a soft light without a marked shadow and suits a bedside lamp well, provided it stays in a small format and lets the bulb breathe. Glass is cleaned with warm water, but remains more fragile and heavier than a fabric lampshade.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhich lampshade for a floor lamp?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eA floor lamp needs a large lampshade, taller than it is wide, with an E27 socket and a diameter that covers the bulb. A cylinder or truncated cone in taut fabric works well: it directs the light up and down without dazzling when you read seated.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow to tell if a lamp is valuable?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eLook at the signature or hallmark, the condition of the socket, the quality of the brass or glass, and the consistency between the base and the lampshade. A complete original lamp, signed and in good condition, stands out from an assembly of parts. Have the wiring checked before powering it up again.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"CollectionPage\",\"name\":\"Vintage lampshades: how to choose the shape, material and installation\",\"description\":\"Vintage lampshades in fabric, glass or metal: how to choose the shape and cap, hang it from the ceiling and change the fabric without mistakes.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/abat-jours-vintage\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"name\":\"Designix\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\"},\"speakable\":{\"@type\":\"SpeakableSpecification\",\"cssSelector\":[\"h1\",\"h2\"]}},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Lighting\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/luminaire\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Lampshade\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/abat\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Vintage lampshades: how to choose the shape, material and installation\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/abat-jours-vintage\"}]},{\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How to choose a lampshade in relation to the lamp base?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The lampshade must stay proportionate to the base: wide enough to cover the socket and the bulb, tall enough not to show the cap, without overwhelming the base. Check the fixing (ring, prongs, clip) and the socket diameter, E14 or E27, before choosing the shape and material.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How to hang a lampshade from the ceiling?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"For a pendant, the wire runs from an eye bolt or a hook fixed in the ceiling, then down to the socket. Switch off the power at the breaker, choose a fixing suited to the support, concrete or board, and check that it holds the weight of the lamp. The lampshade is then fitted onto the socket.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How to install a lampshade?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Unplug the lamp, remove the bulb, then fit the lampshade onto the socket or the intended support. Depending on the model, it screws on with a ring, is fixed with prongs or clips on. Tighten without forcing, refit the bulb and check that the lampshade does not touch the bulb when switched on.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How to change the fabric of a lampshade?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Peel off the original fabric, keep the metal frame and clean it. Cut the new fabric with a margin, stretch it over the frame then glue it edge to edge, folding the excess inwards. A thin, plain fabric forgives creases better than a thick print. Let it dry before refitting.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How did people light their homes in 1900?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"In 1900, indoor lighting relied mainly on the oil lamp, candles and gas, still very present in cities. Electricity spread slowly and lampshades in opaline, porcelain or fabric protected the eye from the bare source and filtered the light downwards.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How to tell if a lamp is valuable?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Look at the signature or hallmark, the condition of the socket, the quality of the brass or glass, and the consistency between the base and the lampshade. A complete original lamp, signed and in good condition, stands out from an assembly of parts. Have the wiring checked before powering it up again.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Which glass lampshade for a bedside lamp?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"An opaline glass lampshade diffuses a soft light without a marked shadow and suits a bedside lamp well, provided it stays in a small format and lets the bulb breathe. Glass is cleaned with warm water, but remains more fragile and heavier than a fabric lampshade.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Which lampshade for a floor lamp?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A floor lamp needs a large lampshade, taller than it is wide, with an E27 socket and a diameter that covers the bulb. A cylinder or truncated cone in taut fabric works well: it directs the light up and down without dazzling when you read seated.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e","products":[],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0677\/8598\/2228\/collections\/designix-entete-abat-jours-vintage-v1.jpg?v=1792481875","url":"https:\/\/designix-lighting.com\/collections\/vintage-lampshades.oembed","provider":"Designix","version":"1.0","type":"link"}