Designer Lamp Shades: Functional Art That Transforms Your Space
Lighting is more than utility—it's the easiest way to create mood, build ambiance and enhance the beauty of interiors. In a world full of mass-produced décor, designer lamp shades offer a powerful opportunity to elevate your home with without adding clutter. At Bowerbird Collections, every lamp shade is more than a bulb cover—it's a canvas. A functional piece of art crafted with intention, integrity, and joy.
Discover why our Brisbane-made designer lamp shades are beloved across Australia, and how you can select the perfect one for your space.
What Makes a Lamp Shade 'Designer'?
Not all lamp shades are created equal. Designer lamp shades stand apart in their craftsmanship, originality, and the quality of their design. At Bowerbird, the process of designing a lampshade begins with a painting inspired by nature. The artwork, painted by Peta and Ellie Sweetman, is then captured and transformed into flowing fabric patterns. These unique patterns are then digitally printed on eco-friendly linen cotton using water based inks right here in Australia.
Each lamp shade is handcrafted by our small in-house team. That means your lampshade isn’t just made—it’s considered, nurtured, and finished to perfection.
"Pattern is music for the eyes." – Peta Sweetman
"A little bit of us goes into everything we make" – Peta Sweetman
Our Most Popular Designer Lamp Shade Styles
Drum Lamp Shades
Timeless and clean, the drum shape lampshade is equal in width at the top and bottom. Perfectly cylindrical, this shape is the easiest to clean and maintain. Dust doesn't settle on the fabric surface because the lampshade walls are vertical. This extends the lampshades life giving you many years of beauty. The drum style suits the vast majority of lamp bases and is great for bedsides, living rooms, consoles and desks. Drum lampshades are also the most efficient shape when space is tight.
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Shop: Dahlias Lampshade, Amira Olive, Zebra Stripe Black
Pendant Lamp Shades
Give your space the designer touch by adding a statement lampshade to your pendant ceiling lights. Any pendant cord or rod can support the light weight of a lampshade. A bold pendant lampshade is a great tool to draw the eye up and make a space feel warm and inviting.
- Shop: When ordering a lampshade online with us simply type pendant fittings to your order note on the cart page before you checkout.
Custom-Made Shades
Got an unusual base? Need a specific recess or size? We also create bespoke lamp shades to suit your lamp and vision.
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Enquire: Custom Order Page
Choosing the Right Lampshade Size & Shape
There are no set rules when it comes to choosing the right lampshade size, but there are some rules of thumb that we follow to make sure that the new lampshade is a good match for the lamp base and setting.
Table lamps: What you need to know
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Measure your lamp base height and width at the widest part.
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Measure your table width.
- Check your lamp base fittings to ensure your lampshade will attached properly (refer to our handy lampshade fittings guide for assistance)
Lampshade size: Rule of thumb
- The lampshade diameter should be roughly equal to the height of the lamp base.
- The lampshade diameter should be wider than the widest part of the lamp base and can be up to 2x the width of your lamp base.
- The lampshade height should be roughly two-thirds the height of the lamp base.
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The lampshade diameter should not exceed the table width. Otherwise, it is possible to bump the lampshade and knock over the lamp when you walk by the table.
Remember that there are always multiple sizes that will "fit" a lamp. If space allows, we tend to choose larger lampshades that show off more of the beautiful fabric!
Want help? Refer to our Lampshade Fitting Guide or contact our team.
Understanding Lamp Shade Fittings
We've covered the common lamp and lampshade fittings in depth so that you can confidently find the perfect lampshade to fit your lamp here.
Bowerbird lamp shades are available with two standard ring sizes:
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28mm – for Australian Standard Bayonet (B22) bulbs
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42mm – for European Edison Screw (E27) bulbs (we include a complimentary 28mm adapter ring insert)
We also offer:
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Pendant Fittings (top-mounted). When ordering a lampshade online with us simply type pendant fittings to your order note on the cart page before you checkout.
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Harp/Finial Fittings (on request)
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Custom Recess Depths (standard is 5cm)
If you're not sure what you need, just reach out—we’ll help you find the perfect fit.
Why Linen-Cotton? Eco, Durable, Beautiful.
Our linen-cotton blend is soft yet structured. It diffuses light beautifully, adds texture, and supports local printing with minimal environmental impact. All of our lampshades are made with premium linen cotton fabric printed with water based inks in Brisbane.
Our fabric is:
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100% Natural and Vinyl-free
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Fade-resistant with proper care (protect your lampshade from fading by avoiding repeated direct sunlight)
- Long lasting and low maintenance
How to Style Your Room with Lamp Shades
Designer lamp shades are the simplest way to inject personality into your space. Here’s how:
In the Bedroom:
- Incorporating a pair of matching bedside lamps is the easiest way to add harmony and functionality to your bedroom. Lit at night, lamps create ambiance and warmth.
- Our lampshade fabrics are also available in matching linen pillow covers. Pair our Amira Olive lamp shade with matching pillow covers, or complimentary prints like Pennello Olive for a unified bedroom look.
Living Room:
- Lamps are the perfect way to add mood lighting to a living room, lending a certain charm to relaxing evenings at home. Flooding overhead lights are harsh and can feel almost clinical when compared to the soft, diffused light from lamps. But, to adequately light your living room with lamps - you need more than one lamp!
- Choose lamp sizes that match the furniture in your living room. If your lamp is going to sit on a large console table, choose an appropriately large lamp to balance the scale of the room and furniture. Following this concept helps you avoid filling a space with small decor which can leave you feeling cluttered.
- Choose lampshade patterns and colours that compliment your existing furnishings. But remember that lampshades in the living room can also act like artwork. So, don't be afraid to go bold and make a statement.
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When coordinating with other fabric patterns in the room, make sure you vary the scales of the prints. Mix small scale patterns and textures, with medium scale geometric designs and large scale florals for example.
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For a more eclectic look match a patterned lampshade with coordinating cushion covers and even a feature wall (try Chinoiserie wallpaper)
Hallways & Entryways:
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Adding a bright lampshade to your entry will make your home feel more inviting. It sets the tone for your home when welcoming guests.
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Petite Joy lamps with Blossom Aqua shades brighten small spaces
- When space is limited, choose a statement pendant lampshade to hang from the ceiling in the hall or entry.
Want inspiration? Visit our Lamp Gallery.
Behind the Scenes: How Our Shades Are Made
Every Bowerbird shade starts with an idea—and often, a painting. Ellie’s oil paintings are scanned and transformed into seamless textile patterns. The chosen design is printed onto linen-cotton fabric in Brisbane using sustainable water-based inks.
From there, each lamp shade is cut, assembled, and finished in-house, one by one. Custom sizes, fittings, and recesses are carefully constructed to ensure the shade fits perfectly.
This thoughtful process ensures the high quality that Bowerbird is known for.
Inspiration Gallery: Shades That Make a Statement
Here are a few of our bestsellers:
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Dahlias Lampshade – Lush blooms in pink and coral, inspired by Ellie’s oil painting.
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Amira Gold – Star-like florals in rich golden tones.
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Jungle Leopard – Wild tropical with an artistic twist.
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Blossom Aqua – Like a window overlooking a fresh spring garden.
Perfect for table lamps, floor lamps, and pendant lighting*, these statement pieces bring warmth, sophistication, and a connection to nature into your interiors.
*For use as pendant lighting, please add your desired lampshade to the cart with the correct ring size. On the cart page, select "add order note" and type "pendant lighting" before checkout.
Pair with our matching cushion covers or wallpaper to complete your look. Visit our Lamp Gallery for more ideas.
Why Choose Bowerbird Collections?
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Made in Brisbane with care and integrity
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Exclusive artworks by Ellie Sweetman
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Natural fibres & eco-conscious printing
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Custom fittings available on request
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Free Australia-wide shipping
We believe that light has the power to transform. And we create every shade with the hope that it brings joy into your space—just like it has in ours.
"Our lamp shades are hero pieces. They’re not just lamps—they’re the heartbeat of a room."
Ready to Find Your Shade?
Explore our Designer Lampshade Collection and bring functional art into your home.
Need a custom fitting or unsure what size works best? Contact us—we love helping customers create their perfect lighting moment.
FAQ
What is a designer lamp shade?
It’s a high-quality, handmade lamp shade crafted with designer fabrics for both form and function. Bowerbird lamp shades feature original artwork printed on natural fabrics.
Do your lamp shades fit all lamps?
We offer both 28mm and 42mm rings and can create custom fittings for other styles on request.
Can I request a custom lampshade?
Absolutely. Email or call us—we’re happy to help.
What size lamp shade should I choose?
Generally, two-thirds the height of your base is a good rule of thumb. For more tips, see our fitting guide.
Are your products made in Australia?
Yes, all lampshades are handcrafted in house and our fabrics are locally printed in Brisbane.
How do I care for my lamp shade?
Dust regularly with a dry microfiber cloth. Avoid direct sunlight and high-humidity spaces like bathrooms.
