Handmade Empire Lampshades

The empire lampshade is one of the most recognisable traditional lampshade shapes, with a narrower top ring and a wider lower ring. Its tapered profile works well on table lamps, floor lamps and classic decorative lighting schemes where a softer, more established proportion is required.

Each empire lampshade is handmade in our UK workshop and can be ordered from our standard range or developed as a bespoke empire lampshade for a specific project. We can make empire shades in a wide choice of fabrics, linings, trims and finishes, including customer’s own material where suitable.

What Is an Empire Lampshade?

An empire lampshade has a smaller top diameter and a wider bottom diameter, creating a sloped profile from top to base. This gives the shade a more traditional appearance than a straight-sided drum lampshade, while still offering a practical and widely usable form.

The shape is particularly useful where a lamp base needs height and balance without the more contemporary appearance of a cylinder or drum shade.

Choosing the Right Empire Lampshade

Empire lampshades are often specified for bedrooms, drawing rooms, hospitality interiors and more traditional decorative schemes. Their final character depends heavily on the fabric, lining and detailing selected.

A plain fabric can keep the shade simple and understated, while pleated fabric, contrast lining or decorative trim can make the same shape feel more detailed and traditional.

Bespoke Empire Lampshades for Interior Designers

For interior design studios, hospitality projects and private commissions, we can make bespoke empire lampshades to suit specific dimensions, materials and project requirements.

This can include non-standard sizes, customer’s own material, alternative linings, trims, frame finishes and production quantities.

For wider project requirements, our Manufacturing for Design Studios service covers bespoke decorative lighting, lampshade development, frame fabrication, wiring and batch production.

Empire Lampshade Sizes, Fittings and Finishes

Our standard empire lampshades include an adaptor to fit BC and E14 lampholders. For trade, hospitality or interior design projects, we can also advise on size, proportion, fabric suitability and bespoke frame requirements.

For further guidance, see our article on specifying lampshades for interior design projects.

For non-standard sizes, project quantities or customer’s own material, please discuss a bespoke empire lampshade with our team.