Lamp Shade Diffuser

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 04/10/2022

If you love your lamp but feel the light it gives out is too bright, a lamp shade diffuser will do exactly what it says it will – diffuse your lamp. Sometimes, rooms need a relaxing ambiance rather than a headache-inducing fluorescent light. With a lampshade diffuser, you won’t need to purchase a new bulb or replace the shade that matches your space perfectly. Our design experts have picked out some of the very best lampshade diffusers so your home feels cozier than ever.

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Our Picks

Classic Lampshade Diffuser

This diffuser comes in five sizes, from 9.5 to 17.5 inches, meaning it will suit most lampshades. Featuring a simple modern design with a bright white finish, it is made from acrylic. Moreover, it is designed to reflect light downwards.

Designer Advice:

The understated design of this diffuser will match most fabric shades and blend in seamlessly. It would be an especially useful purchase for a bedroom, as nobody wants to feel a headache while reading in bed. We think it would best suit a cream or beige shade for a versatile warm neutral look.

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Simple Lamp Shade with Diffuser

Made from polypropylene, this diffuser is strong and flexible, so you can ensure it fits your shade properly. It has eight size options, starting at 8.5 and finishing at 17.5 inches. Each diffuser is cut in Montreal to ensure a precise cut.

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Vintage Lamp Shade Diffuser

This diffuser lamp is a genuine vintage piece, measuring just over four inches tall and 8.5 inches wide. Originating from the 1960s, it is crafted from milk glass and has a traditional milky white finish with a mid-century modern vibe.

Designer Advice:

Add vintage charm to your living room with this diffuser shade. It is much less dull than a traditional diffuser disc, and its clever design will effectively filter bright light while adding depth and texture to your space. We recommend pairing it with mid-brown furniture and traditional tapered pieces like a dresser or bar cabinet for a sophisticated mid-century modern look.

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Drum Lamp Shade Bottom Diffuser

Designed to work with drum lamp shades, this diffuser can be mounted on the top or bottom of a shade. Crafted from translucent acrylic, the frosted matte finish will also help to block harsh light. It would fit an 18 or 19-inch lampshade best.

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Geometric Lamp Shade with Diffuser

The shape of this lamp shade will naturally diffuse light for a pleasant ambiance. It features a chic geometric design that rotates to create a unique lighting experience. Crafted from birch and hardwood plywood, it has five color options, including brown and gold.

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Lamp Shade Diffuser

Buying Guide

If the light coming out from your lampshade is too bright for your liking, then you'll need the services of a lamp shade diffuser. This type of lamp addition is designed to manipulate the light that is coming out from any lampshade.

Varying types will produce different results. Some will "dampen' the brightness, will others allow for a patterned shadow to be cast. On the downside, the varieties can often be a source of confusion for the inexperienced shopper. To make the task more manageable, this article is going to be a buying guide for lamp shade diffusers.

What are the common shapes for a lamp shade diffuser?

The first thing that you need to be aware of is the shape of your lampshade. The usual shapes for a lampshade diffuser are circle and square. Naturally, you'd want to pick a circle-shaped diffuser if your lampshade is round. Same goes if you have a square lampshade.

If your lampshade has an "irregular" shape, then your options may be very limited. Once you have the right shape, you also need to get the right size. If it's too small or too large, then it won't fit properly. Most of the time, lampshade diffuser sizes are expressed in terms of diameter.

How to select the right size diffuser for a lamp shade?

To find the right size, you must first decide if you want to place the diffuser on the top or bottom. You don't have to do this step if you have a drum-type lampshade. For other types of lampshades, it's likely that the top and the bottom parts don't have the same diameter. Thus, you need to measure the diameter and shop accordingly.

What are the different types of lamp shade diffusers?

There are different types of lampshade diffusers, and it's best that you know the varieties so you'll have a better idea on what to look for. The popular types include Foamex, translucent polypropylene, floral, louvered, and fabric.

Foamex diffusers typically come in white color. Because of its opacity, it's an excellent option if you want to block more of the light.
Translucent polypropylene, by far, is the most popular type. It blocks some of the light, but not completely which makes it a good choice for many homeowners.
Floral lampshade diffusers come with a cutout design that usually mimics the petals of a flower. They’re designed to cast off a shadow that has more of a floral vibe to it.
Louvered is another lampshade diffuser that comes with a cutout design. Usually, the pattern comes with layered circles within the diffuser. It's a design that exuberates sophistication and classiness.
The fabric diffuser is made from a piece of cloth. It usually comes with a wire in a shape of a circle, and it's meant to support the fabric. The transparency of the fabric largely depends on the color and the type of material used.

The best way to make your shopping task less confusing is by knowing how to filter out options that don't apply to your situation. With the key points mentioned above, you should be able to narrow down your choices so you'll end up with a list that is much more manageable.