Colored Chandeliers

Are the shades on your chandelier looking dingy and dirty? Or maybe you are looking to update a chandelier but you can’t afford a new fixture?

Like painting walls, replacing chandelier shades is an inexpensive, easy way to update a room. The myriad colors, styles, and even textures available allow you to find a match for any paint color or room design.

Shopping online for your chandelier shades is the most convenient and easiest way to purchase them. This way, you have the widest selection possible, and most, if not all sites will also have complete information regarding size, fitting style for bulb, etc.

Prior to beginning your search, ensure that you know the following:

• How the shade attaches to the chandelier , i.e. most candle chandeliers have clip-on fits, meaning the shade clips directly to the bulb.
• Bulb style – Does your chandelier lighting use a standard medium or candelabra bulb?
• Wattage of bulbs you use – Some chandelier shades can burn easily if the bulbs get too hot or are too close. Be sure to check maximum wattage on your shades and, depending on the wattage of the bulb, you will need to ensure the shades are 1.5″ to 3″ from the bulb’s surface.
• Shade shape and size for candle chandeliers – Most shades are bell shaped or cylindrical. Sizes can range anywhere from 4-1/4″ to 5-1/2″ H and 4-1/2″ to 7″ diameter at the widest part of the base. Some shades will also show the measurement at the top, which is typically 3″ to 3-1/2″. When measuring bell-shaped shades, you will measure slant height, not vertical height. This means that you need to have the measuring tape or ruler touching the edge of the bottom, as well as the edge of the top of the chandelier shade. This will be your slant height.
• Shade shape and size for swag chandeliers – Swag chandelier shades typically run around 17″ in diameter. The standard shape is a drum shape; however, you can find many other variations of the drum shape.
• Shade decoration – For a touch of elegance, you may want to look at shades with beading sewn into the top or hanging from the bottom edge. Fabric shades can have texture, beading, embroidery. Glass shades can have textures, etchings, etc.

Now you are ready to shop for your shade. You may want to have something in mind prior to beginning your search. Or, maybe you just want to get some ideas and see what’s out there.

Happy hunting!