Lampshade Restoration

Brittle Lampshade Liner

I cannot tell you how often I get liner lampshade repairs.  It upsets me to see a lampshade with the liner falling apart inside the shade.   I believe lamps with fabric lampshades are decorative accents to a room.   They are soft, warm lights that make it easy to navigate through a room in the evening.    The absolute highest watts I use in a fabric lampshade is 40 watts.  I personally like low lighting.

Fabric lampshades are not reading lights. They are not meant to hold 100 to 200 watt light bulbs.  A globe top floor lamp can take the high watts or a clamp metal lamp will direct the light to a focal area.   Most often I see these  owned by elderly people who use a shaded lamp for a reading light.

Drum shade with deteriorating liner

Please check on your parents or grandparents to see what kind of light they are using for a bright light.  A light meant for reading the local news, a good book or a favorite craft is worth the minimal investment.

If you do see a lampshade liner shredding, remove it.  The cover will not fall off and you can continue to use the shade.    Another option is a light bulb socket reducer available at hardware stores.  The socket reducer holds a candle size light bulb, comes in 60 watts, but the bulb does not sit close to the fabric of the shade.