Rice Paper Lamp 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 09/04/2021

Rice paper lamp shades will give your space a feeling of a home in Japan. These clever and eco-friendly options to normal fabric lamp shades are just as attractive and durable, with the added bonus of being safe for disposal. Rice paper is thin, and will give of plenty of your lamp's light. Take a walk through this collection and see what you can add to your lamps.

Buying Guide

When people think of rice paper lamp shades, they usually think of the cutesy, colorful, sphere paper lanterns that can be hung from the ceiling in rows. In reality, there are many different designs than the traditional round shape. Oriental style decoration is adored for a lot of reasons. What better way to incorporate some of this into your home than with a simple, cultural lamp shade?

Rice paper lamps are a lovely addition to a home, adding soft lighting and a modern, Asian flair. You’ll be surprised at the options you can choose from in regards to color, style, and shape. Since rice paper is thin and flexible, it can be shaped into interesting designs and become a truly unique piece of decor. When figuring out what rice paper lamp or lamp shade you want in your home, think about the following tips.

What styles of rice paper lamp shades are there?

Like we mentioned earlier, a lot of rice paper lamp shades are made in a spherical design.

For a room that already has a fun colorful theme to begin with, some of these in white would be a great way to add fun lighting while balancing the colors out.
A room that has more of a monochrome theme can incorporate these lamps in either a color that fits the current scheme or contrasts with the colors for a quirky twist.

Aside from spheres, rice paper lamp shades can also feature cuboid designs. The height of these cuboids can range from your typical table lamp to as tall as a floor lamp.

These types of lamps usually work very well in conjunction with modern and contemporary decor because of the cuboid shape.
They also typically come in a white or cream white color, making it easy to fit in your home.

Some other styles include cylindrical and oblong shapes. These lamp shades can be mounted on a standard lamp or can appear to “stand up” by themselves with an interior wire frame. Hanging from the ceiling is one of the most popular ways to enjoy a rice paper lamp.

A popular design on the rise is turning small rice paper balls into flowers that are mounted off of what look like stems. You can find many rice paper lamps that look like a pot of flowers so your lighting can double as a “plant” as well.

What are the color options for rice paper lamp shades?

For the most part, rice paper lamp shades come in a white or creamy color. Most colored rice paper lamps are for hanging from the ceiling. Don’t let that be a downer though. On the bright side, rice paper is easy to dye and color if you happen to love a shade design that’s not available in the color you want.

How to pick the right size for a rice paper lamp shade?

The size of your rice paper lamp shade will depend on whether your lamp is going to be placed on a floor or table surface. A rice paper floor lamp can be as tall as 70 inches. Table lamps can vary from less than 12 inches to as tall as 40 inches. End tables will have an easier time with bigger table lamps while desks should go for a smaller size so they don’t take up too much space.

How to ensure the safety of rice paper lamp shades?

Because rice paper lamp shades are made from a paper material, they can pose a potential fire hazard if the proper safety measures are not taken. Look in the manual of your rice paper lamp to take note of the maximum bulb wattage and never exceed this. Also, don’t place rice paper lamps in the kitchen, close to wires, or any other general fire hazards.

As long as you take these preventative measures, you will have no problems with your new rice paper lamp shade. Enjoy the soft light you’ll get, how light the material is, and the oriental aesthetic added to any room you place your lamp in.