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Mid-Century Lamp Shades

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Update the style of your home on a budget by simply replacing your table, floor, and wall lamp covers with mid-century lamp shades. Chic and retro, these pieces have their inherent nostalgic appeal that is loved by almost everyone. From neutral hues to artsy, bright-colored ones, you won’t run out of options to make your home stylish. So take a peek at our designers’ choices of mcm lampshade that will give your interiors a mid-mod vibe.

18 Recommendations and 174 Ideas

Updated 12/07/2023
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1
Geometric Faux Silk Drum Shade

Geometric Faux Silk Drum Shade

George Oliver

Perfect For: Enhancing the ambiance of any living room or master suite

What We Like: The neutral cream hue with a gold geometric pattern

This drum shade's streamlined, transitional design makes it a versatile accessory for countless lamp styles. The faux silk fabric, coupled with its neutral cream hue and eye-catching gold geometric pattern, lends a touch of glamour to any space. Its round silhouette ensures an even distribution of warm light throughout your room. The convenient spider attachment guarantees a hassle-free connection to the fixture of your choice.

Designer Advice:

Pair it with a gold-toned lamp base for a coordinated look, or create contrast with a dark-colored base to make the shade stand out.

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2
Vintage Gold Oval Smocked Pleat Lampshade

Vintage Gold Oval Smocked Pleat Lampshade

Corrigan Studio®

Perfect For: Adding a touch of traditional flair to any lamp base

What We Like: High-quality shantung fabric construction and double-smocked pleat design

This 12" Vintage Gold Oval Smocked Pleat Paperback Shantung Lampshade elevates your lighting decor with its timeless elegance. The oval double-smocked pleat softback design boasts a fine shantung fabric, providing a subtle visual interest to any room. Including a brass metallic finish washer fitter, it fits over a standard harp and is intended for use with your existing lamp finial. Measuring 9" x 12" x 9", the lampshade's slanted oval shape gives it a unique aesthetic appeal.

$74 $69

Designer Advice:

Pair this exquisite lampshade with a classic brass or bronze lamp base to accentuate its vintage charm and add a warm glow to your living space.

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3
18" Pale Brown Throwback Rectangle Linen Lampshade

18" Pale Brown Throwback Rectangle Linen Lampshade

HomeRoots

Perfect For: Enhancing mid-century modern-inspired interiors

What We Like: The slant retro rectangle shape with a fold on top and bottom

Introduce a touch of mid-century modern elegance with this 18" Pale Brown Throwback Rectangle Linen Lampshade. Crafted from high-quality linen weave in a stylish tan color, the slant rectangle softback design adds visual interest and a hint of retro flair. Compatible with a standard washer fitter and harp, this lampshade can be easily integrated with an existing lamp base and finial design. Measuring 11"H x 18"W x 11"D and weighing 2.25 pounds, this lampshade will make a statement in any home.

$209.99 $299.99

Designer Advice:

Consider pairing this lampshade with a brass or wooden lamp base, and use a warm-toned LED bulb to create a cozy ambiance in your living room or bedroom.

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4
Classic Hardback Lamp Shade with Bronze Fittings

Classic Hardback Lamp Shade with Bronze Fittings

Emissary Home and Garden

Perfect For: Enhancing any style of home, from traditional to contemporary

What We Like: The updated gentle design at the top and bottom edges

This classic hardback retro lamp shade features high-quality hardware, including a polished bronze spider fitting, lending a touch of elegance to your living space. The traditional retro shade gets a modern update with a gentle curved design at the top and bottom, making it a versatile addition to any home decor style. Measuring 19/19X20/20X12 inches (Top x Bottom x Height), this shade offers an ideal balance between form and function.

$129.99 $288

Designer Advice:

Pair it with a floor or table lamp base with a dark bronze or brass finish to perfectly complement the polished bronze spider fitting, and let the shade's timeless design elevate your interior.

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5
13" Throwback Drum Pongee Silk Lampshade

13" Throwback Drum Pongee Silk Lampshade

HomeRoots

Perfect For: Enhancing mid-century modern inspired interiors

What We Like: The sleek slant retro drum design

This 13" throwback drum lampshade adds a touch of mid-century modern flair to your space with its elegant slant retro drum design crafted from high-quality pongee silk. Its natural color complements a variety of lamp bases, while the standard washer fitter and fold on top and bottom of the shade ensure compatibility with your existing finial design. Measuring 9" x 13" x 13", this lightweight lampshade weighs just 1.30 pounds, making installation and adjustments a breeze.

$199.99 $309.99

Designer Advice:

Pair it with a geometric lamp base or a brass vintage-style floor lamp to accentuate the mid-century modern appeal and create a striking focal point in your living room or bedroom.

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6
13" Off White Throwback Drum Linen Lampshade

13" Off White Throwback Drum Linen Lampshade

HomeRoots

Perfect For: Enhancing lamps with a touch of mid-century modern flair

What We Like: The slant retro drum design and quality craftsmanship

This 13" Off White Throwback Drum Linen Lampshade brings a hint of mid-century modern flair to your lamp base. Featuring a slant retro drum softback design crafted from the finest linen weave and a fold on the top and bottom of the shade, this lampshade has an eye-catching look and sturdy construction. The standard washer fitter makes it compatible with most standard harps, so you can use your existing finial design. Dimensions: 9''H x 13''W x 13''D; Weight: 1.30 Pounds.

$183.93 $299.99

Designer Advice:

Pair it with a sleek lamp base in a complementary finish for a chic and cohesive lighting setup in your living room, bedroom, or office.

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7
Speckled Midcentury Lamp Shade

Speckled Midcentury Lamp Shade

Symple Stuff

With a patterned surface and nickel washer fitter, the midcentury lamp shades have drum-style forms. It has a fabric covering and tone-on-tone trim around the top and bottom. The inside is lined with white styrene plastic.

$99.99 $112.99

Designer Advice:

Available in 16 colors and designs, the speckled option exudes the most vintage and retro appeal. Best paired with metallic or colorful bases. For a playful vibe, you can match these midcentury lamps with bright-colored home décor. Neutral-toned pairings with this lamp are suggested if you want to achieve a calming, serene look. 

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8
Small Black and Tan Plaid Shade

Small Black and Tan Plaid Shade

Corrigan Studio®

Perfect For: Traditional and cozy home interiors

What We Like: Handcrafted design and versatile compatibility

Add a touch of timeless elegance to your living space with this small black and tan plaid shade. Lovingly handcrafted in the USA by skilled artisans using age-old techniques, this high-quality shade instantly adds warmth and light to any room. The versatile design easily fits standard lamp bases and can be paired with a variety of lamp base styles, from sleek black to rich brown, to complement your existing decor. Note that harp and finial are not included.

$51.99 $73.99

Designer Advice:

To amplify the traditional charm, consider placing this shade on a classic wooden or wrought iron lamp base in your living room, bedroom, or study.

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9
Transitional Hardback Empire Lamp Shade

Transitional Hardback Empire Lamp Shade

George Oliver

Perfect For: Enhancing various lamp styles and room decors

What We Like: Striped linen fabric for a classic touch

This transitional hardback empire lamp shade is made with linen fabric and features an eye-catching striped pattern. The spider construction is designed to attach to a lamp harp, making it compatible with an array of table lamps, accent lamps, vintage lamps, candlestick lamps, and kid's room lamps. Using a virgin polystyrene backing board, this shade diffuses a warm, natural, and smooth light that is far more appealing than shades crafted from recycled materials.

$49.99 $57.99

Designer Advice:

Pair this lamp shade with a stylish lamp base for a harmonious look in any room, and opt for energy-efficient LED bulbs to save on electricity costs while achieving optimal lighting.

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10
Gold Patterned Midcentury Lamp Shade

Gold Patterned Midcentury Lamp Shade

George Oliver

Light and glamorous, this 60s lamp shade adds a fun flair to any lamp. This faux silk fabric shade displays a neutral cream background with geometric gold patterns that evoke a stylish, retro-vintage vibe. Easy to put with its spider attachment.

Designer Advice:

An elegant addition to your interior. For a dramatic twist, we recommend pairing it with a dark-colored base either one in a bulbous base or a slim frame. These would look great when styled along with brass or gold-finished décor or those with matte finishes for an interesting play on textures.  

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11
Vintage Map Lamp Shade

Vintage Map Lamp Shade

World Menagerie

An mcm lamp shade in a flared, tapered-drum shape. Available in three sizes, this piece features a vintage-style map of the world, printed on a cotton fabric shade. Works best in the bohemian, cottage, global, and coastal-style interiors.

$58.99 $88.99

Designer Advice:

The nostalgic appeal of this midcentury lampshade will add a touch of whimsy to your teens’ or kids’ bedroom. For formal spaces with an industrial theme, these lamp shades would look fantastic atop a galvanized lamp base. Meanwhile, placing it on top of a distressed baluster-style base will bring a charming farmhouse aspect to your home. 

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12
Orb Style Lamp Shade

Orb Style Lamp Shade

Lend some groove to your home with this table lamp. It features a slender metal body and an arched arm, holding a semi-rounded receptacle. The 1950s lamp shade orb evokes a retro-futuristic look that is both vintage and modern.

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13
Black Desk Lamp

Black Desk Lamp

Mercury Row®

This minimalist desk lamp with mcm lampshade features a slim metal arm in brass. A matte black steel shade with a white reflector provides contrast, characteristic of midcentury modern lighting design. A compact task light for reading and other tasks.

$62.99 $79.99

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14
Metal Lamp Shade

Metal Lamp Shade

Gracie Oaks

This mid-century lamp shade features a flared empire-style design. Fully crafted in metal with a hand punch design with a central sun motif and triangle accents paired with lines along the edges. Available in textured and smoky black colors.

$48.99 $39.99

Designer Advice:

Ideal for rustic, country, and industrial-style interiors. When paired with a textured, metal base, it can create a unique, bohemian arrangement. Best used along with a slim post to emphasize its distinct aesthetic. In contrast, a tube or cylindrical stem might overwhelm or clash with the shade’s form. The chiseled and punched aspects allows the inside light to pierce through. 

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15
Modern Industrial Table Lamp

Modern Industrial Table Lamp

This modern-day classic table lamp with mid century modern lamp shade has an openwork silhouette. It showcases three legs that cross at the base in an X shape, topped by a drum-style shade in neutral hues. 

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16
Slim Mid Century Modern Table Lamp

Slim Mid Century Modern Table Lamp

Zipcode Design™

The slim volume provides a stylish but understated touch. The tall fabric drum mid century modern lamp shade covers the bulb, creating diffused lighting. The post and base are crafted from steel in a black finish.

$22.09 $35.99

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17
Tripod Table Lamp

Tripod Table Lamp

Sophisticated and elegant, this stunning lamp features a metal tripod that meets at a metal ring in the mid-back. The mid century modern lamp shade material is made of linen with subtle textures, giving off a soft, diffused glow.

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18
Horn Style MCM Lampshade

Horn Style MCM Lampshade

Winston Porter

These understated midcentury modern lampshades feature a dramatic silhouette that combines horn-style and empire-style forms. Fashioned of textured linen, they sport a thick border to bring in some contrast. Available in nine neutral and bright colors.

$47.99 $49.99

Designer Advice:

The simplicity of a timeless form combined with midcentury colors makes this a versatile piece for any part of your home. Aside from a table or floor lamp, you can also use it to elevate the appeal of your wall sconce. It is neither too big nor too small, allowing it to work with almost all types of light fixtures. 

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Mid-Century Lamp Shades

Buying Guide

Lamp shades are an important part of interior décor. They provide the ambient lighting needed to bring out the beauty of your interior. In addition to this, the designs of these shades can be breathtaking. There are many different types of shades but if you’re looking for something unique, going for medieval designs can be a great idea. But there are some important factors to keep in mind.

The main reason why most people buy mid-century lamp shade designs is for the décor value that they bring. In that case, as you shop around, make sure you pick shades that match your existing interior. And not just the color only, even the size of your shade can determine how it fits into the décor in the spaces available at home.

There are a few rules that can help you pick the right size.

  • Make sure the shade’s height is at most 3/4 of the base. The width of the shade too needs to be bigger than the base.
  • The shade also needs to be a little raised so that the base can be visible. Mid-century lamp shade bases do have a beauty of their own and they need to come out.

Mid-century lamp shades may also come in different types but mostly, the distinguishing factors are often based on the light diffusion capabilities.

Here are some of the common options:

  • Collie Shade Designs - The coolie shade is wide at the cone. The base also has a larger diameter compared to the top. The light from the lamp will come from beneath the lamp shade. The sitting areas will be brighter while the ceilings will be dimmer.
  • Empire Shade Designs - The empire shade design is perfectly cone-shaped. However, it lacks the dramatic effect that comes with the collie shade. The light in the empire designs is also redirected downwards but you will get a bigger glow on your ceilings too.
  • Drum Shades - The drum shades are cylindrical in nature. They’re going to diffuse light equally from the bottom and at the top. This means they offer the best lighting among the three options we have covered here.

Lamp shades do have a number of unique elements. First, there’s the hardback. This is the plastic backing that’s found inside the shade which is designed to hold the shade into place. The shades also have a lining on the outside for aesthetic purposes. The lining is perhaps the most visible element of the shade. However, it’s important to note that all decorative aspects of the lamp shade are called trim. This may include things like the material used, the gallery, overall finish etc. The gallery is simply the decorative band that’s found at the bottom of the shade. The design varies from one shade to another.

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Best Ideas

Mid century lamp shade 1

The interesting mid century lamp shade, which is a motion clock from 1960's. It can be used as a home lamp, or as an unique gift for friends and family.

1950s Mid Century Modern Atomic Space Age Starburst Table Lamp Fiberglass Shade

1950s Mid Century Modern Atomic Space Age Starburst Table Lamp Fiberglass Shade

Designed in the 1950's, this mid century moren table lamp boasts of a striking, atomic space starburst design. It features a fiberglass drum shade that rests on a lovely shaped body with a metal round base.

Vintage pair of mid century danish

Vintage pair of mid century danish

Wood wonderfully joined here with brass elements, which were additionally gold plated. Danish style in a modern version of a mid-century lampshade, however, also referring to cylindrical shades - up to the 50s and 60s.

50s lamp shades

A wonderful choice for illuminating your home with warm light and funky chicness. This mid-century table lamp has a two-tier shade, a sleek wood base with starburst design, and a brass-finished metal round base for stability.

Made to order mid century vintage style

Made to order mid century vintage style

A chic retro style lampshade for table and floor lamps. It's of artificial fiberglass parchment in reds with a thin straight crisscrossed black lines pattern. It consists of 3 rings. A central ring is wider and partially encloses top and bottom ones.

Made To Order Mid Century Vintage Style

Made To Order Mid Century Vintage Style

Thanks to this retro table lamp, your bedroom will be shining with vintage charm and impeccable design. Made in mid century style, this 1950's lamp has a fiberglass base that is topped with an aqua blue drum shade with geometric pattern.

Lamp shade 14 drum retro modern orange

Lamp shade 14 drum retro modern orange

Tasteful table lamp in retro style. Conical base is made of wood. Drum lampshade is covered with fabric and finished with interesting pattern. Great addition for each room.

Mid Century Modern Lamp Fiberglass Shade In Excellent Condition Atomic Era

Mid Century Modern Lamp Fiberglass Shade In Excellent Condition Atomic Era

This mid-century modern lamp is a gorgeous piece that arrived straight from the atomic era. Its shade rests on black steel wire legs, and is made of red fiberglass, surrounded in the middle with a matching ring.

1950s mid century modern atomic space age starburst table lamp

.1950's mid century modern atomic space age starburst table lamp with fiberglass shade

Mid century modern lamp and hand painted by debrasoriginals 195

Mid Century Modern Lamp and Hand Painted by debrasoriginals, $195.00

Mid century modern table lamp 2

Mid Century Modern Table Lamp

Mid century lamp shade 13

Cool 1950's Plasto chalkware lamp

Most wonderful table lamps for a unique lighting with different

Most wonderful table lamps for a unique lighting with different light fixtures. #design #modern #lighting |See more suggestions at

Fiberglass lampshades

These mid-century Eames Era lamps constitute a fabulous proposition for the fans of retro design. They embody the characteristic for that time fascination with fiberglass and lucite.

60s lamp shades

Mid Century Modern Lamp with Fiberglass Shade by concealedjewel

1950s lamp

Awesome Mid Century Modern TV Lamp Skyscraper Style | eBay

Mid century modern origami shadehanging

Mid century modern origami shadehanging

When I was younger, I was delighted of the origami art, My husband bought for me this mid century and modern origami shade, which is hand made, and it brings the oriental touch into my bedroom.

Mid century lamp shade 7

If you are looking for a piece that will sport the mid-century or retro design then look no further. This lamp shade offers the circle pattern and the contrasting yellow finish to catch everyone's eye easily.

Mid century lamp

mid-century lamp

Oh my love the form the shades the lines ahhh

Oh my...love the form, the shades, the lines....ahhh. just a quintessential mid century modern lamp.

Mid century modern lamp shades

Thanks to this mid century lamp, you will have enough warm light to create truly romantic ambiance in your bedroom. Includes a 2-tiered shade, a starburst center, and a lit body that sits tightly in an espresso-finished round base.

Mid Century Table Lamps

Mid Century Table Lamps

Enchanting with the turquoise blue finish, this pair lamps embodies well the mid-century design. Standing on a bedside table or etagere, they will be a stylish accent to one's interior.

Atomic lamp shades

VTG 1950's Eames Era Retro Majestic Table Lamp Boomerang Atomic Dual Drum Shades

This is different but i love the shade more

This is different , but I love the shade more!