So, you’re looking to make a lampshade?
Fantastic!
You are in the right place!
If you want to feel energised, proud of yourself, and have your spirits lifted – then these things are yours when you make your own lampshade.
It’s easy
By following our comprehensive step-by-step instructions you’ll soon be in possession of a first class lampshade.
Kit contents
Our kits contain everything you need to make a beautiful lampshade except fabric.
Let’s talk about lampshade kits!
We have many standard styles and sizes, and if you need something special, we can make it for you.
All kits have:
- A standard lampholder offset of 5cm
- A plain zinc ring
- A white powder coated fitted ring (this has the lamp holder)
- BondLUX Lampshade PVC cut to size
- Double-sided tape to bond the rings to the PVC
- Fabric Bond Tape to bond the seam at the back of the shade
- An instruction card with a link to comprehensive instructions
- A tool for creating the rolled edge
We use industry standard quality materials – for our kits, for our workshops and for custom lampshade work we undertake for private and corporate clients.
If you want to buy individual lampshade materials you can buy them from our Lampshade Materials Page.
Lampshade Styles
Drum shades
Drum shades are the most common and the easiest to make.
The size of a drum shade is designated by the diameter in centimetres (cm) of the rings. For example: a 30cm diameter shade is known as a 30cm drum.
You can use them as pendant shade too – just make sure you place the fabric the right way up :-)
They feature:
- Circular rings
- Straight sides so the top ring diameter is the same as the bottom ring diameter
Empire or tapered shades
These shades having sloping sides due to the top ring being a different diameter to the bottom ring. They are quite easy to make.
The empire shade size is designated by the diameter in centimetres (cm) of the top ring and the bottom ring. For example: a shade that has a 20cm diameter top and a 30cm diameter bottom is known as a 20/30cm empire shade.
Importantly, you can use them as pendant shades – just specify “pendant” when ordering the kit.
They feature:
- Circular rings
- Tapered sides so the top ring diameter is smaller than the bottom ring diameter
There are a few special types of tapered or empire shades:
- Mid-century – where either the height or the width of the shade is extended (tall and narrow, or short and wide)
- Coolie – where the top diameter of the shade is much smaller than the bottom diameter (reminiscent of a coolie hat).
- Gooseneck (or scuttle) shades – where the top ring is at a different angle to the bottom ring. These are often used in pairs.
Empire Kit Options
Rounded rectangle shades
Rounded rectangle shades are suited to areas that are slim. Imagine a hall table that is quite narrow; you would like a lampshade that has a presence (large surface to look at) but you don’t want it to poke out into the hallway. This is a solution!
They are a little trickier to make than a standard drum, but our instructions cover those tricky bits really well, so you’ll be fine.
The rounded rectangle shade size is designated by the depth (short side) in centimetres (cm) and the length (long side). For example: a shade that is 15cm deep and 30cm long is known as a 15/30cm rounded rectangle shade.
They feature:
- Rectangular rings with soft curves
- Vertical sides so the top ring is the same size as the bottom ring
Rounded Rectangle Kit Options
We have two standard sizes, and can provide any other size you would like.
Candle Clip shades
Candle Clip shades are small shades, often found on chandeliers or wall sconces. The shade has a clip on the top ring that sits over the light bulb. They are suited to small light bulbs such as the candle shaped ones.
The shades are easy to make, however, because they are small you’ll need to use your small hands :-)
The Candle Clip shade size is designated by the top diameter in centimetres (cm) and the bottom diameter and the vertical height.
While they are usually little mini empire shades, we can supply kits as mini drums too. Just ask.
They feature:
- Circular rings
- Top ring has the candle clip fitting
Candle Clip Kit Options
We have nine standard sizes, and can provide any other size you would like.
Oval shades
Oval shades are perfect for bedsides or furniture where the depth of the space is limited. They also provide a larger area for showing off a fabric design, and they invoke a feeling of sophistication.
The shades are easy to make, just like making a drum shade.
The Oval shade size is designated by the depth of the shade ring in centimetres (cm) and the length of the shade ring.
They feature:
- Oval rings
- The top and bottom rings are the same so the sides are vertical
- Vertical sides
Oval Kit Options
We have two standard sizes, and can provide any other size you would like.
We have the largest size range of sizes and shapes for lampshade kits in Australia (not all are listed in the shop):
- 3 Hero lamps
- 20 Drum shades
- 42 Empire shades
- 9 Candle Clip shades
- 16 Mid Century shades
- 2 Oval shades
- 2 Rounded Rectangle shades
- 1 Rocket lamp
- 3 Gooseneck (Scuttle) shades
We also can make any size lampshade to order.
Below are sketches of Empire style shades to show the comparative proportions and sizes of each.
If you need a special size or like to check out our special selection of fabrics – please send us an email 
