Safe Materials for Lamp Shades

No matter what the shade is made from, check the socket to ensure the bulb wattage is safe for the lamp.


When making or remaking a lampshade, the material you choose for the task matters immensely. Some fabrics may burn, melt or discolor when hot, so it is important to choose materials that can withstand some heat without damage. The inner liner material, such as a pressure-sensitive styrene, is the part that helps protect the outer fabric from heat. The bulb is equally important -- if the wattage is too high and you are using an old-fashioned incandescent bulb, it could pose a fire hazard.

Inner Liner Material

Inspect other lampshades in your home or at a store, and you'll notice that the inside looks different from the outer lampshade covering. This inner lining helps provide a solid yet flexible structure for the lampshade fabric while also protecting it from heat emitted by the bulb. Pressure-sensitive styrene, also known as adhesive styrene, is the material used for the inside of many lampshades. This type of styrene is available at many craft stores or through lampshade supply retailers.

The Outer Fabric

The best fabrics for making your own lampshades are those made from natural fibers such as cotton or linen. Select a fabric that can be ironed; otherwise, it won't look smooth when you adhere it to the styrene. Do not use synthetic fabrics or some types of thin silk that can discolor from the heat of the iron or the heat of the bulb.

Non-Traditional Shades

Instead of the typical fabric shade on a wire frame, just about any material that will not melt, burn or overheat can be used, such as a kitchen colander, cheese grater or even panes of stained glass. Make your own faux capiz shell chandelier shade from discs of wax paper attached to strands of ribbon, secured to a wire lampshade ring or embroidery hoop. Large cans such as olive oil or imported pasta sauce cans may also be used after punching holes in them to allow light through.

Bulb and Socket Concerns

Ultimately, your shade is only as safe as the bulb and socket assembly paired with it on the lamp. Check the light socket for a tag that specifies the maximum bulb wattage considered safe for the socket; select a bulb of the same or a lower wattage than recommended on the label. The lower the wattage, the less heat emitted by the bulb. If building a lampshade from materials such as rice paper that may burn under high heat or if near a flame, choose only low-wattage bulbs that emit only a small amount of light. Select an LED bulb as a low-wattage alternative to a traditional incandescent bulb for yet another safe option.

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