Head to the Shops

When you shop for a new light for any room in your home, it's important to take your time to carefully evaluate what light shade options are available. The shade is often one of the first things that someone sees when they look at the light, so you want to ensure that this part of the light offers a sense of style and also is a good visual fit in the room. When you visit a home lighting store that carries a wide selection of lighting products, you can expect to see several different light shade materials.

Here are three home lighting options to consider. 

Rattan

If you're looking for a light that has a rustic appearance that suits your furniture and decor, you might want to shop for something with a rattan shade. This is a material that can work well in all sorts of homes. If your local lighting store has a selection of lights with rattan shades, you'll find that they can vary significantly in appearance. Rattan works well because it allows gentle slivers of light to come through the shade between the individual pieces of rattan. The result is a warm glow that can augment the room's look.

Fabric

If you want your new light to have a softer appearance, you'll want to evaluate the shades that are made of fabric. With so many different types of fabric available, you might be surprised at how many options you have when you want a fabric light shade. These shades are available in virtually every color, so whether you want something vibrant for a child's bedroom or you favor something muted for a home office, you'll be able to find the exact look you want. Different fabrics have different levels of transparency; some allow a lot of light to get through, while others do not.

Glass

For a completely different look, consider a light shade made of glass. This style often has a modern appearance that can work well in lots of homes. While you might find some shades that feature clear glass, the glass can vary from product to product. For example, frosted glass is very common, as is tinted glass. The amount of frosting or tinting will impact the amount of light that shines through. If you're looking for a light that will add a gentle glow without being too bright, you'll want to consider a glass shade that is heavily frosted or tinted.