From cocooning living rooms to bedroom sanctuaries, there is one exception to the golden rule of “never using the big light” – and that’s when it’s wearing a paper lampshade. Minimalist, comforting, and seriously low-budget (they start from just £2 on the high street), say hello to one of our favourite interior hacks that we return to time and time again.

It adds cosiness to any room…

Paper lights are proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to set the mood. While minimalist, their fine texture allows the light to come through into a wonderfully cocooning glow, giving any room an almost moon-like quality.

It adds a low-key vibe to expertly designed spaces…

We particularly love the use of an understated paper shade in uptempo or maximalist rooms that have otherwise been designed to a T. Their laid-back aesthetic brings the whole room down a notch.

It adds drama to small spaces…

One of our favourite small-space rules is to go big. An unapologetically oversized paper lamp adds a sense of drama to a cosy room, unexpectedly opening up the space rather than crowding it.

It works brilliantly over a dining space…

Hanging a moon-like paper lamp over the dining table instantly creates a wonderfully intimate vibe. It’s the one exception to the golden rule of never using the ‘big light.’

It even works in the bedroom…

You could buy the most stunning lampshade, but looking up from bed only to be blinded by an exposed lightbulb is never the vibe. A paper shade solves this, even on a serious budget. Its soft, diffused glow works beautifully in almost any bedroom, from minimalist, natural sanctuaries to cute children’s rooms.

Shop the high street paper lampshade edit…

Just about every high street home store does its own iteration, from H&M’s Scandi-shaped pieces to IKEA’s classic that starts from just £2.

Shop the high-end paper lampshade edit…

On the flip side, if you’re after a forever piece made from high-quality, more intricately crafted paper, brands like Ferm Living and Vitra top our ultimate wish list.

The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.


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