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1 In Interiors

Trend Watch: Pleated Lampshades

Explore the pleated lampshade trend reinterpreted with modern stylings for 2020. Plus, learn where to find pleated lampshades in this day and age!

Back in the early 90’s, parents had pleated lampshades in their living room, and as most kids do, I swore off every trend my parents liked as a mild statement of teenage individuality. 

living room with tapered lamp shade on glass gourd lamp, white walls, light grey sofa, oak wood floors, seagrass basket, persian rug, fur draped on chair

But as all trends eventually do, we’re seeing a resurgence of empire (tapered) pleated lampshades in home decor, and this time around I’m digging it.  

It’s been a slow conversion over the last 6 months I credit to falling in love with textural pieces with references to pleating like this cb2 vase and incorporating these handmade paper bag stars in our home for winter that helped turn the tides toward ‘the pleat.’ Plus, drum shades have had quite a run— 12 years and counting. I’m ready to experiment with another look! 

tapered lampshade, empire lampshade, pleated lampshade, white walls, persian rug, light grey channel back sofa, blue nesting tables, white radiator, textured drapery, birds of paradise plant in sea grass basket

The beauty of lampshades is that you don’t have to go out and buy a whole new lamp in order to update the look of your lighting. Just invest in a new shade. I found this tapered shade at a thrift store, and to be fair it was covered with dust and a dead spider, but it was $4.99 and just the look I was after!

Here are some beautiful ways we’re seeing the pleated shade trend interpreted.

mid-century arched wood lamp with pleated lampshade, white painted brick walls, concrete grey floors, cane bentwood arm chair, bembien shop interior

Image: Bembien

Elisa Strozyk's studio, Grey wood plank floor, white walls, pleated pendant, white bar cart with tea cups stacked on top, caned wood settee

Image: Elisa Strozyk

black table lamp with flat black pleated shade, photo taken at night in white interior

Image: Oscar Piccolo

Le klimt scissor sconce, ivory pleated lamp shade, accordion wood sconce, light grey tufted chair, light grey walls

Image: Futurist Architecture

guestroom at soho house barcelona, gold headboard, rust pleated empire lampshade, light grey blue table lamp, white studded side table, red and gold floral drapery, brass task lamp, white sheets

Image: Soho House Barcelona

Beyond browsing thrift stores which always seem to have them at great prices, here are some one stop shop spots for finding pleated shades and fixtures. 

shoppable examples of pleated shade lighting, pendant, chandelier, sconce, table lamp, lamp shades
  1. Mandarina Pendant
  2. Vertigo Pendant
  3. Dancing Pendant
  4. Double Pleated Shade Pendant
  5. Le Klint Scissor Sconce + More Vintage Le Klint
  6. Pleated Shade Table Lamp + More Vintage Pleated Lamps
  7. Lampshade
  8. Lampshade
  9. Box Pleat Shade
  10. Knife Pleat Shade

What is your feeling on pleated shades? There are no wrong answers. Let’s hear it!

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  • Julie S
    February 7, 2020 at 12:10 am

    I don’t mind the look even though it has some dated vibes trailing behind to my 30something eye, but it’s the idea of cleaning the crevices that makes it a no go in my house! I’m not great at cleaning or dusting (though quite tidy), and I know if I can’t dust it with a haphazard pass of the vaccuum brush a couple times a year, it’s going to look awful pretty fast, get the stink eye, and get tossed out.


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