What Is A Spider Lampshade?

Its name certainly raises curiosity. What is a spider lampshade? How does it differ from other lamp fittings? Read on to find out.

Spider Lampshades

Lampshades can accentuate your space. You can use them as a statement piece or a subtle compliment to a room’s aesthetic.

Choosing a shade for your lamp may seem a simple task. However, you need to be familiar with the different kinds of fittings and lamp proportions to achieve the look you desire.

The spider lampshade is the most common type of shade for table and floor lamps.

You can check for a spider lamp shade by looking down at the top of the shade. It should have a circular, washer-like metal at the center with spider-like arms that connect it to the lampshade.

The spider fitter lamp shade typically sits on a screw located on top of your lamp harp. You can use stabilizer clips to attach a spider lamp shade to other fittings aside from the lamp harp.

Choosing the Right Shade For Your Lamp

There is a variety of shade shapes and sizes. It can be a bit overwhelming if you are not prepared with your lamp’s measurements.

To get the right size of shade for your lamp, you first need to measure the height of your lamp base and your lamp harp.

Height Of Shade

The ideal height of the shade for your new lamp is relative to the height of your lamp harp.

To measure lamp harp, take a measuring tape or a ruler. Then, measure from the topmost part of the harp to the socket cap.

Generally, the height of the lampshade should not exceed the measurement of the harp plus ½ inch, and should not be smaller than the lamp harp’s height minus ½ inch.

For example, a lamp with a harp that is eight inches tall should have a lampshade whose height ranges from 8 ½ to 7 ½ inches.

Shade Diameter

While the shade’s height is dependent on the height of your lamp harp, the lampshade’s bottom diameter is relative to the height of the base.

Take a measuring tape and measure from the bottom of the base to the top of the lamp stem.

As a general rule, the lampshade’s diameter should be within two inches, plus or minus, the height of your lamp.

For example, if your lamp is 16 inches tall, you should select a lampshade with a diameter within the 14 to 18-inch range.

More Tips

If your lamp base has intricate ornaments, choose a simple print for your shade. If your base is plain, choose a bold pattern or design for your lampshade.

Have at least two inches of separation between your shade and your bulb. The wider the separation, the higher the bulb wattage you can have.

Conclusion

We hope that we have satisfied your curiosity about what is a spider lamp shade. Also, keep in mind the lamp proportions when shopping for your shade. Then again, feel free to experiment. You can shop for spider lamp shades and other types of fittings online or in local stores.