Rawhide Lamp Shade

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 06/05/2021

To give you home that rich feel of a true cowboy dwelling, everything has to line up in the design, otherwise it is all thrown off. And one item in particular that can easily make or break a cowboy motif is the lampshades. And the addition of rawhide lampshades is the perfect way to round out your home in the rich traditions of the old west. These are well-made and will fit just about any lamp. See collection for details.

Buying Guide

How do I care for and maintain a rawhide lamp shade?

To care for and maintain a rawhide lamp shade, you need to clean and condition it to keep it supple and prevent brittleness and cracking. If done correctly, these shades can last you for several years before replacement.

Start by wiping the lampshade with a slightly damp cloth. Add a small amount of conditioning oil to another soft cloth and, with light pressure, wipe the shade again, coating it with a thin layer of oil. Let the shade sit for 30-60 minutes, then gently wipe with a dry cloth to remove any excess oil.

How often you need to clean and condition your rawhide lamp shade depends on your climate. If your location experiences extreme temperatures or you live in a dry, arid environment, with higher use of air conditioners and heaters, expect to clean and condition monthly. For average climate locations, annual cleaning and conditioning will suffice.

Since rawhide is a natural product, place your lamp shade away from heating vents and windows with direct sunlight to avoid premature splitting and excessive fading. Also, to prolong the life of your rawhide lampshade, avoid using high wattage bulbs.

How do you measure for a new lamp shade?

To measure for a replacement lamp shade, you need to measure your existing shade height along the slant. For the diameter, you can measure the width of the bottom of the shade at its widest point. Note that the diameter of a table lamp’s shade should be within 2” of the height of the base and should never exceed the base height. Lamp shade size is usually written in regards to the diameter, so a 14” lamp shade has a diameter of 14”.

When purchasing a new product like a rawhide lamp shade, remember that the height of the lamp shade for a table lamp should be the height of its base x 60%. For a floor lamp, the lamp shade should be the height of the base x 30%. Following these guidelines gives you a final product that looks proportional.

What does a rawhide lamp shade go with?

When you’re decorating with a rawhide lamp shade, you should think about the type of aesthetic that you’re going for in your home. A rawhide lamp shade is neutral, but textured—so it would likely go well with other neutral, textured objects.

If you want it to be a focal point of your room, decorate minimally otherwise. The brown tones in rawhide make it an excellent pairing for a rustic wooden lamp base, as well.