Pleated and Patterned Lampshades

Pleated and patterned lampshades have been growing in popularity for the last couple of years, and they’re finally starting to become easier to find in stores. Here are some of my favorite options for adding personality and charm to any lamp.

If you have an old lamp base that you think still has some life in it, the best way to update it is to add a new lampshade. It’s amazing how an existing lamp in a basic style or and affordable thrift store find can suddenly feel like the most stylish piece in the world with the right lampshade. Lampshade with character and personality have been getting more and more popular over the last few years, and it’s something I absolutely love to see. The only downside to the revival of beautiful, distinct lampshades is that they tend to be quite hard to find and a little bit on the expensive side. Although this is a style that we’ve seen designers using more and more, the only place to find these lampshades has been specialty boutiques or handmade from a craftsperson who specializes in custom lampshades. I’ve started making my own pleated shades to get around this issue (pictured above and below), but recently I’ve started seeing more and more options for lampshades with pleated fabric and beautiful patterns, and a lot of them are available at prices that are available to the average, non-designer home decor lover like myself. I thought it would be fun to gather up some of my favorite options today.

Pictured Above: LED Sconces | Fabric for Lampshades | Pale Blue Curtains | Block Print Curtains (use CREEKLINEHOUSE for 22% off at Two Pages)

Here’s another pleated lampshade I made recently. I love doing these, but they are definitely a bit time consuming! Please enjoy this very unedited view of our 120-year-old farmhouse’s walls in all their imperfect glory. Ha. 🙂

Favorite Store-Bought Patterned and Pleated Lampshade Options

Seeing these lampshades all together like this makes me so happy. Don’t think you need to stick to one “fun” lampshade in a room and keep all the others simple. Mixing and matching colors, patterns, and textures in lampshades and other textiles like pillows and curtains is really what makes a room sing, especially a traditional space.

Mustard Yellow Block Print Lampshade | I’m actually not 100% sure what to call this color. Deep mustard yellow?  Light olive green? Dark chartreuse? Whatever you call it, it’s a little unexpected and I like it. The block print feels current but collected.

Neutral Gathered Fabric Lampshade | This beautiful neutral toile print would feel right at home anywhere in my house and I may definitely need to treat myself the next time I find a beautiful thrift store lamp that I can’t leave behind. If you pay next-to-nothing for the lamp and splurge a bit on the shade, it balances out, right? I once found a beautiful swing-arm lamp for $4 and added this beautiful wicker shade to it. It’s still one of my favorite lamps.

Beige English Pleated Shade | This style of pleated shade is actually very similar to the way my homemade lampshades look when they’re completed, but the fabric and finishing on this one is definitely a little bit elevated. I love the idea of using an ecru shade instead of stark white.

Gathered and Ruffled Olive Green Lampshade Cover | This is a fun, affordable option if you want to update the look of your lamp on a budget. This is actually a little ruffle lampshade cover that slips right over your existing shade for a whole new look and lots of personality and charm.

Deep Green Pleated Shade | I have very similar shades to these in black, but I love the deep green version even more. I’m picturing these on little brass or wood lamp bases in a cozy study with big chairs for reading, some plaid pillows, and a soft, cable knit throw blanket.

Brown and Natural Ruffled Shade | This is a perfect little shade for mini lamp – the kind you would put on your kitchen counter or to light a tiny table in a corner. Tiny lampshade, big personality.

Block Print Empire Pleated Shade | This lampshade is such a great price, and I always think an empire shape is one of the more universally-flattering lampshade styles. I would use this shade to replace the boring drum shades that come with a lot of lamps.

Nantucket Red Stripe Pleated Lampshade | Two things I always love: a faded Nantucket red and stripes. This fun little shade can do no wrong if you really want to make a statement.

Rose Print Mini Chandelier Shade Set | These patterned lampshades would make such a statement on an existing chandelier. This print feels quintessentially shabby chic to me, but I feel like it would also give an aged, welcoming quality to a very traditional space.

More decorative lighting inspiration for your home:

• How to Paint a Lampshade
• Tiffany Style Lamps Are Having a Moment
• How High Should You Hang a Light Fixture Over a Table?
• Four Types of Layered Lighting Every Room Needs to Feel Complete
• The Oversized Light Fixture Rule to Elevate Any Space

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