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Choosing the right type of lampshade can make a difference between a lamp looking like it came from a high-end home decor store or from the local flea market. With shabby chic being popular right now, the local flea market look isn't considered a negative, but you want to choose a shade that will fit into the feel that you are trying to achieve in the room.

The first step to buying a lampshade is selecting the correct type. This is the easy step, as it has nothing to do with aesthetics and isn't something you can choose if you already have a base to work with. The base determines the type of shade you will need to purchase. Lampshades can be attached with a harp and topped with a finial, can fit directly on the socket, or can even be attached to the bulb itself. Before heading out to your local lighting or home improvement store, take a look at the base to determine what type you need. There is nothing more frustrating than bringing home the perfect lampshade only to find out that it is the wrong fit to the base.

The style of the lamp base will determine what shape of lampshade you need. Shades come in a variety of shapes, including bell, empire, drum, oval, squared, and rectangle. You will find several other names for different shapes, but they are just a variation of the major shapes. A good rule of thumb is that square based lamps take square or rectangular shades while round lamps take round, empire or drum shades. Bell lamp shades look best on candlestick bases. If the base is ornate or very curvy, choose a shade that is slightly curved from top to bottom. If the base has mostly straight lines, then choose a lamp shade that has a straight up and down vertical or an angled vertical slant.

Drum and rectangular (including square) shaped lampshades are popular right now and lend to a more modern look. Bell lampshades tend to be more traditional. Squared and empire can go with any type of decor modern to traditional so are more determined by the pattern or material of the shade than the shape.

Bell and empire lampshades are wider at the bottom than at the top. An empire shade angles in a straight line from top to bottom while a bell shade curves as it tapers like a bell. Drum lampshades are typically wider than their height and are usually the same width at the top and bottom. Some curve in slightly at the center, but most are vertically straight. Oval lampshades are wider than their depth and have an oval appearance when viewed from above. The top and bottom

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