Drum Linen Lamp Shade | Straight and French Forms in Three Colours

The shade shape that suits almost anything

A drum has straight sides, the same width top and bottom. That makes it the most forgiving shape in a lamp shade: it sits correctly on a round base, a square base, a column and a bottle form, and it throws light evenly up and down rather than pooling it below.

The range covers two forms and three linen colours, from 6½ to 30 inches across.

Straight drum or French drum

Sizing to the base

• Height — about two thirds the height of the base.
• Width — roughly twice the widest part of the base.
• Coverage — from any normal viewing angle the socket, harp and bulb should all be hidden.
• On a table — the shade should not overhang the table edge.

Measure the lamp rather than guessing from a photograph. A shade one size too small looks pinched, while one size too large makes the base look like a stick.

Choosing the colour

White passes the most light and reads neutral, which suits cooler rooms, with marble, grey or white. Sand is warmer and slightly lower in output, which suits oak, brass and cream. Black passes very little light through the fabric, so almost everything goes up and down: dramatic, but plan another light source in the room.

Check the fitting

Shades attach in three ways. A spider sits on a harp under a finial, an uno threads onto the socket, a clip-on grips the bulb. A spider shade will not fit an uno lamp whatever the diameter says. Check the lamp before ordering.

Care

Dust from the top down with a soft brush or a vacuum on its lowest setting. Linen marks with water, so treat a stain with a dry sponge rather than a damp cloth.

Related

For a rectangular base see our rectangular linen shades. For a richer finish, see silk shades.