Lamp shades made their first appearance in 17th century Paris as public street lanterns. Reflectors were used in the lantern to spread the light onto the street. Since those early days shades of all shapes and sizes and styles have adorned palaces, homes and offices. They are used for a wide variety of purposes ranging from leisure reading to business to craft activities and more. Make no mistake about it there is a huge range of lamp shade styles and uses so let’s consider some of them.

Firstly let’s look at styles. There’s the country style lamp shade. If your home has a country theme then this will be the style that will suit you. Having a country lamp shade in your home reveals your love of all things country and you can decorate with a animal that you have a particular fondness for. Country lamp shades are more likely to be found in shops that cater for country décor.

Another style is the baby lamp shade. This makes a beautiful present for new parents as they welcome a little one into their home. A baby lamp shade or mini lamp shade can be bought in just the right colors to match the décor of a nursery. It adds a personal touch and of course offers soft ambient light that can be so helpful in the nursery.

Glass shades are very popular because of their timeless elegant and classic feel. However, you do need to be mindful of safety with a glass lamp shade especially if you have little children or boisterous animals in your home. However if this is not a concern you will find the glass lamp shade adds a special touch to your study or bedroom. They are available in a variety of shapes and colors and have a unique ability to amplify colors through the glass.

It’s not only the styles, size and materials of lamp shades that vary but their uses. Desk lamps serve a common purpose for people as diverse as students and businessman. Whether they are being used for reading, study or business transactions desk lamps direct light to specific areas for distinct tasks. Floor lamps on the other hand can serve a wider variety of purposes. They provide ambient light for TV viewing, focussed light for craft activities as well as indirect light for a pleasant evening of conversation with friends. Bedside lamps are commonly used for reading and giving light in the dark of early morning. The also serve to deliver a soft indirect light conducive to the restful atmosphere of a bedroom.

There’s no doubt about it. The variety of style of lamp shades truly reflects the variety of roles lamps fulfil.