More than likely, you aren’t just buying a lamp to use it as decor; you’re buying a lamp because you need light. The question is, however, what kind of light do you need? Are you planning to use your lamp for reading or other activities that require task lighting? Or do you want to add ambience and set a specific mood? Asking yourself these questions and pinpointing your reasons for needing a lamp will help you choose the right shade for your space.

In my experience, both the shade’s thickness and color can contribute to the type of light it provides. Translucent shades in lighter colors will provide more light and are ideal for activities that require task lighting. If you’re buying a lamp for ambience, on the other hand, choose an opaque lamp shade in a darker color instead.

Now for the fun part: once you’ve determined what kind of lamp shade will provide the lighting your room needs, you can start searching for shades based on style. There are a lot of style choices you can make depending on your own preferences, but I would advise that you look for a smooth shade if your home is modern or contemporary. Pleated lamp shades, however, fit well into traditional or antique-style rooms.