Make a Statement with Dramatic Tall Cylinder Lamp Shades
A carefully chosen tall cylinder lampshade can elevate a room's style and completely transform the ambiance. The sleek, vertical silhouette makes a bold decorative statement unlike any other shape. Strategically placed, a dramatic tall drum shade draws the eye upwards and spotlights specific spaces or architectural details. Luxurious materials like velvet and stylish modern designs provide sophistication. Custom options allow designing a shade tailored to your unique space. Read on to learn how to make the most of tall cylinder lampshades to establish an elegant, refined look.
Tall Cylinder Shade Shape and Silhouette
The uniform cylindrical shape of drum lampshades has an inherently vertical orientation, unlike rounded or tapered shades. This elongated form stands out and makes a striking decorative impression. The cylinder's narrow profile adds architectural height and presence to spaces with standard 8 to 10 foot ceilings. In rooms with higher ceilings, such as 12 to 20 feet, the elongated silhouette can be used to balance out proportions.
Cylindrical Profile Creates Height and Presence
The sleek cylinder shape provides drama and visual interest from both a side and front view. When illuminated, the narrow band of light adds structure. The continuous vertical lines draw the eyes upwards, creating the perception of extra height in a room. This makes cylindircal shades an excellent choice for small spaces where the goal is to make it appear more expansive. The uniform elongated form also gives a cohesive look when used repetitively as matching pairs or throughout a large open concept room. The result is a bold, contemporary statement.
Choosing the Right Height for Your Space
Standard drum lampshades range from 6 to 18 inches tall. For spaces with 8 foot ceilings, this provides good proportional balance. Taller shades of 24 inches or more make more of an impact and are recommended for rooms with extra height. Extremely tall ceilings, like those found in grand entryways or ballrooms, call for larger cylinder shades of 36+ inches to anchor the furniture below. Always consider the ceiling height, overall room proportions and size of lamps when selecting shade height. The goal is a balanced, cohesive look. An overpowering shade size can feel disjointed and awkward.
The function of the lamp should factor in as well. For example, in seating areas the shade needs to be high enough not to cause a glare but low enough to provide useful ambient lighting. Task lighting at a desk on the other hand benefits from a taller shade to direct illumination exactly where needed.
Using Shade Height to Draw the Eye Upwards
Tall cylindrical lampshades excel at drawing attention vertically in a space. Complementing a high sloped ceiling, arranging artwork in a tall staggered grid, accenting a high-backed chair or elongating a piece of sculpture are all ways to play with the vertical lines of a dramatic cylinder shade. Using taller shades on end table lamps and lower shades on the floor lamps balances and leads the eye around the room. Always keep in mind the desired sight lines and accent points when selecting shade height.
Strategic Placement for Lighting Effects
Making the Most of Accent Lighting
Tall cylinder shades are ideal for spotlighting specific pieces of furniture or architectural details. Placed properly, they provide targeted pools of light to highlight artwork and objects of importance. For example, position a lamp with dramatic tall shade behind seating aimed towards a wall to illuminate a painting or shelving display. This makes the art a focal point. Or place it beside a console table to brighten objects there without overly spreading light.
Using tall shades as accent lamps on bookshelves draws attention to bindings and titles while providing useful illumination. For display niches and cabinets, a cylinder shade can shine directly in to spotlight favorite collectibles. Match the shade height and width to properly frame the area of interest. Experiment with moving the shade forwards and back or side to side to get the lighting effect just right.
Drawing Attention with Contrast
Placing tall cylinder lampshades in contrast to shorter, wider shades in a room makes an impact. The diversity of shapes and verticality grabs interest. For example, pairing a 28" tall drum shade on an end table with a classically tapered 14" table lamp provides architectural contrast. Using metallic finishes like a brass tall shade and a nickel-finished short shade makes a bolder style statement. Whether the shades are styled similarly or clash entirely comes down to personal preference and overall room aesthetic.
To complement a seating area, match the height of the cylinder shade to the lines of a tall wingback chair or the peak of the sofa back cushion. This ties the lighting into the existing furniture shapes. The repetition of verticality provides cohesion. Don't be afraid to also contrast and combine different colors and patterns for your tall and short lampshades. The mixture of shapes and styles makes a focal point when well-executed.
Style, Theme, and Materiality
Cohesive Style and Motif
The clean lines of cylinder lampshades pair nicely with modern and contemporary decors. For contemporary spaces, stick with solid neutrals like gray linen or white canvas. In mid-century inspired rooms, opt for retro cone shapes. For a polished modern feel, try high-gloss lacquered shades in jet black or ivory. Metallic materials like copper, silver and brass seamlessly fit these decors as well.
In traditional rooms, make a refined statement with rich fabrics like embroidered silk in damask prints. Luxurious tassel or fringe trims provide elegance. Natural materials like bamboo and linen evoke casual sophistication. Add coastal flair with shades in navy and white stripes or solids like seafoam. In kids' rooms, inject whimsy with playful patterns.
For an eclectic, curated look, don't be afraid to mix and match. Combine modern materials like acrylic with traditional shapes, or blend glossy and matte finishes. An unexpected color pop provides interest. Place different patterns and styles side-by-side. The diversity showcases your personal taste and creativity.
Luxurious Materials for Sophistication
Drum lampshades come in a diverse range of materials, from fabrics to woods and metals. Luxurious textiles like velvet, embroidered silk, suede and linen impart refinement. Velvets in jewel-tones like sapphire blue or emerald green offer depth. Metallic fabrics with gold or silver woven through add glamour and sheen. Beautiful embellished fabrics feature ornate stitching, beading and fringe for a glitzy statement.
The texture of the fabric influences the ambiance as well. Matte textiles absorb and diffuse light for a soft glow. Damasks, velvets and chenille have an elegant, formal feel. Light reflecting finishes like satin, semi-gloss linens and sequins make a room sparkle.
Wood shades in oak, walnut and bamboo provide warmth. Embossed leather and suede inject natural texture. Metals like aged bronze, pewter, nickel and copper lend an industrial edge. High-gloss lacquered shades make a shiny pop of color. Combine metal and wood tones together for an organic, earthy contrast.
Sourcing the Perfect Custom Tall Cylinder Shade
Bespoke Solutions for Unique Spaces
One approach for guaranteeing a high-quality tall cylinder shade that fits your space perfectly is custom-made options. Many lamp shade professionals and workrooms offer made-to-order services. This allows specifying the exact height, width, shape, fabric, color and trim details. Original design concepts can be brought to life like an asymmetric silhouette or embroidered monogram pattern.
Start by providing the workroom with the dimensions of your existing lamp base and the room's proportions. Discuss the lighting goals and style you want to achieve. Ask for fabric samples to see colors and patterns in person. For guidance designing a shade from scratch, interior designers can translate your vision on paper first. Custom offers the flexibility to realize one-of-a-kind pieces not found in catalogs.
Where to Shop Online and In-Store
For an instant cylinder lampshade upgrade, many retailers offer quick online ordering of drum shades in popular sizes and materials. Amazon, Wayfair and lighting stores like Lamps Plus have a wide, affordable selection. CB2 and West Elm offer chic modern minimalist styles. Arteriors Home and Ginger Barber feature more ornate handcrafted options using natural woven fibers. Schoolhouse Electric provides vintage tin and brass materials.
Upscale antique stores like Chairish and 1stDibs showcase collectible tall drum lampshades from past eras to give a room old-world allure. Vintage French gilt metal and Asian-inspired hand-painted paper materials are just some examples of the unique shades found here. These sites also offer customs services.
Check local lighting and lamp stores to view stylish designs in person. Many carry or can order shade samples so you can see how the color and material coordinates with your room before purchasing. Ask about any made-to-order offerings. For custom services, search for local lamp shade workrooms that can realize your perfect cylinder design vision.
Few lighting choices make a visual impact like tall cylinder lamps. Drawing the eye upwards while spotlighting specific spaces, these dramatic shades create an atmosphere of refined elegance. Choosing the perfect height, material and custom shade ensures your lighting makes a stunning decorative statement. Use tall cylinder lampshades to add striking vertical architecture and illuminate your rooms in the best possible light.