Best Empire Lamp Shades of 2026

Corey Phillips Avatar
Corey Phillips
Last Updated: 7 Feb 2026

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Empire lamp shades are a popular choice for those looking to add a touch of elegance to their home lighting. These shades feature a classic shape with a wide bottom and a narrow top, providing a timeless look that complements a variety of lamp styles. Empire shades are available in a range of sizes, colours, and materials, allowing you to select the perfect shade for your decor. Whether you're looking to brighten up your living room or add a decorative touch to your bedroom, empire lamp shades are a stylish and practical choice.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Betta Lighting 6-Inch Cream Drum Shade Cover #TOP 1
Betta Lighting 6-Inch Cream Drum Shade
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Empire Cotton Coolie Lamp Shade 30cm White Cover #TOP 2
Empire Cotton Coolie Lamp Shade 30cm White
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Traditionally Designed 12 Inch Lamp Shade Cover #TOP 3
Traditionally Designed 12 Inch Lamp Shade
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 4 Empire Lamp Shades

Betta Lighting 6-Inch Cream Drum Shade

White
6 Inch
Betta Lighting 6-Inch Cream Drum Shade Cover
Betta Lighting Empire Lamp Shade - 6-Inch Tapered Drum Light Shade in Cream Cotton Mix Fabric - Box Pleat Lampshade for Table Lamps & Floor Lamps - 40W E14 or B22 Candle (Bulb Not Supplied)

The Betta Lighting Drum Shade features a modern tapered drum design, making it a stylish choice for your desk or wall lamps. The elegant box pleat detail in cream cotton mix fabric enhances your interior decor and adds a warm glow to any space. This shade is perfect for use in living rooms, bedrooms, or offices, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Designed to fit both E14 and B22 bulbs, it offers versatility for your lighting needs.

What We Like
Modern tapered design
Elegant box pleat detail
Versatile for various spaces
Warm glow for ambiance
#TOP 2

Empire Cotton Coolie Lamp Shade 30cm White

PC12 WHITE
White
Empire Cotton Coolie Lamp Shade 30cm White Cover
Empire Cotton Coolie Lamp Shades for Table Lamps and Pendant Ceiling Lights - 30cm Dia (White)

The Empire Cotton Coolie Shade offers a versatile white shade with a dual shade ring, allowing you to easily fit it onto your existing bulb holder without the need for wiring. This reversible gimble design means you can quickly install or remove the shade, making it convenient for various lighting setups. Suitable for ceiling pendant lights or table lamp bases, it supports bulbs up to 60W, including energy-saving LED options, so you can enjoy efficient lighting tailored to your needs.

What We Like
Easy fit, no wiring needed
Reversible gimble design
Works with LED bulbs
Suitable for table and ceiling lamps
Dual shade ring for compatibility

Traditionally Designed 12 Inch Lamp Shade

HH543-CREAM-12
Cream
Traditionally Designed 12 Inch Lamp Shade Cover
Traditionally Designed Empire Shaped 12 Inch Lamp Shade in Rich Silky Cream Cotton Fabric | 60w Max by Happy Homewares

The Happy Homewares Lamp Shade features a traditionally designed empire shape, making it an elegant addition to your home. Made from high-quality cream silky cotton fabric, it provides a soft, sophisticated look. The fixed inner gimbal ensures stability, allowing you to enjoy consistent lighting. With a maximum wattage of 60w, this shade is perfect for table lamps, providing ample light for reading or relaxing in your favourite space.

What We Like
Elegant traditional design
High-quality silky fabric
Stable fixed inner gimbal
Suitable for various lamp bases
Ideal for table lamps

Betta Lighting 10-Inch Ivory Drum Lampshade

Ivory
10 Inch
Betta Lighting 10-Inch Ivory Drum Lampshade Cover
Betta Lighting Table & Floor Lampshade - 10-Inch Empire Drum Light Shade in Ivory Linen Mix Fabric - Compatible with 60W E27 or B22 GLS (Bulb Not Supplied)

The Betta Lighting Lampshade features a tapered drum design, making it a stylish addition to your desk lamps or wall fixtures. Its cream linen effect fabric not only enhances aesthetics but also provides a warm glow, perfect for creating a cosy atmosphere in your living room or bedroom. With its versatile size, this lampshade can fit various lamp bases, ensuring convenience in matching your decor. It requires a standard 60W bulb, making it easy for you to find the right lighting solution.

What We Like
Stylish tapered drum design
Warm ivory linen fabric
Versatile for various lamps
Easy to find compatible bulbs
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is an empire lamp shade?

So, what is an empire lampshade? In general, the empire style is one in which the top diameter of the lampshade is about ½ of the diameter of the bottom of the lampshade; the style exhibits a straight, gentle slope from the top of the lampshade to the bottom of the shade.

2. How do you measure an empire lampshade?

Lamp shades are sized by measuring cross the diameter at the bottom of the shade - so if the shade diameter measures 25cm across the bottom, then it is known as a 25cm shade.

Editor's Notes

During our empire lamp shade research, we found 146 empire lamp shade products and shortlisted 4 quality products. We collected and analyzed 6,381 customer reviews through our big data system to write the empire lamp shades list. We found that most customers choose empire lamp shades with an average price of £20.00.

The empire lamp shades are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of empire lamp shades, including Betta Lighting, Loxton Lighting, Happy Homewares.

Written by
Corey Phillips Avatar

Corey Philips is an electrician and lighting expert. He graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2012 with a Bachelor's degree in electrical and electronics engineering. Corey is a specialist contractor in lights. He sells and installs and recommends lights and lamp sheds, and other lights accessories. Aside from that, Corey is vast in installing and maintaining electrical appliances like air conditioners, water heaters, and the likes.