French Country Chandelier Shades

Vanessa Weber Interior Design Expert

Vanessa is a New York-based designer specializing in architectural lighting. Whether you are planning an event, want to illuminate your backyard retreat or simply need advice on what lamp to purchase for your bedroom, Vanessa will be more than happy to share her knowledge and expertise.

Updated 18/04/2021

French country chandeliers are lovely, but sometimes they can be a little bright. And if you haven't installed a rheostat, the next best option is to put shades on your chandelier bulbs. These shades fit only French country chandeliers, come in a myriad of styles and colors, and are all well-made and quite attractive. Take a look at this vast collection of shades and see what we have to offer.

Buying Guide

As soon as you see the word 'chandelier', you may be thinking of a grand piece of furniture that you need to climb on a step ladder and try to install in your living room. However, this certainly isn't the case, and French country chandelier shades are much simpler. Chandelier shades can be used on large and elegant chandeliers, but they can also be used for smaller and simpler chandelier designs, such as a set of 4-5 light bulbs.

How to determine the right size for a French country chandelier shade?

In order to find the right size, you should measure the chandelier or lamps that you have in your home. Once you have these measurements, you will be able to easily match them up with suitable options, either online or in a store. You can also ask for help from the sales advisors who will be able to assist you in finding the correct items.

As well as ensuring that the shades fit your lights, you should consider how large you want them to be and how much you want them to extend outwards. You can buy various sizes of chandelier shades which may fit, but some of them are narrower and more subtle, while others are bolder and allow you to express your creativity more.

What are the most popular French country patterns?

Arguably the main thing which gives away the French country style is the pattern which is used. Let's take a quick look at some of the most popular patterns that you will come across.

Blue floral pattern: This is mainly blue, with small floral designs which are often in light pink and white. There may be elements of green in this pattern, to embed the floral design and add a natural effect.
Beige rustic pattern: If you don't want too much color in your home or you're trying to achieve a modern and minimal look, it doesn't mean you have to rule out French country patterns. The beige rustic effect is very subtle, but has a natural look and a subtle linear pattern which appeals to a wide audience.
Simple flowers: Rather than having a floral pattern with many small flowers, a pattern which has much fewer yet larger flowers might take your fancy. These shades normally have a plain background, such as cream or beige, and then two or three flowers around the shade which are painted or crafted on using a minimal number of colors, such as green, yellow and pink.

How to take care of chandelier shades?

This will usually depend on which type of shades you end up settling on. Since many French country shades are made from fabric, you should buy a special fabric cleaner for them. It's best to have a conversation directly with the supplier about the best way to clean the shades you have just bought. To be on the safe side, if you haven't received any specific advice, there is little that can go wrong with dry dusting regularly and occasionally light damp dusting.