Lighting with Rustic Lampshades

Throughout this article we will discuss rustic lampshades and lighting and how to best implement them in your rustic-themed home.

Christmas Mantles

Christmas Mantles are a good addition to your Christmas cheer. And what better way to design them than to go rustic style. Christmas has always been a season combined with country, the soft accents of a wreath or a Christmas tree in your house would further enhance the presence of a country style Christmas mantle, especially if it's over the fireplace.

For a rustic Christmas Mantle, you can start with a textile runner with Christmas colors along the top. For a more country look, you can use a quilt or fringed burlap.

You can then use your rustic lampshade as a centerpiece, preferably a Christmas styled one. You can even use candles under the lampshade instead of electric lights to further accentuate the country look.

You can then put in other designs around them, like nativity scene made out of wood, or probably a rustic teddy bear, or a deer sculpture. Usually, animal sculptures are considered rustic so you may want this. You can even add a pinecone filled basket with a red ribbon draped on the handle for that additional Christmas feel.

Add a few smaller accessories like small pine tree figurines, a row of clear glass stones along the edge, or maybe some rustic pewter candleholders on each end of the mantle.

Side table Lighting

If the room in your house is a bit country-rustic styled, it won't be a problem using a rustic lampshade on an old lamp that you have to accentuate the rustic look of your room. Rustic lampshades come in different prints, Navajo Indian prints, elk and deer prints; some even offer a whole wood style print. Aside from animal and prints, some Lampshades even have simple gradients of brown and beige that would go well in a slightly modern living room.

If you're planning on using animal prints like elk, try finding ones that have dark prints of the animals and a light background. These can be used for light colored rooms. Rooms in beige and caramel would go well with these kinds of lamps. A printed rug would also go well with a printed shade.

If you're using printed furniture or rugs or even printed Wall décor, its never wise to do the same with lighting, you wouldn't want you room to look like a farm. Try using gradients of light brown to white for your rustic lampshades and place them in the corner table of your living room.

Overall

Rustic style lampshades would go with just about any type of lamp base, except those that were actually meant as modern art. To prevent nasty match-ups choose lamps that are both traditional and casual at the same time, not too serious especially in the living room. Use rustic lampshades with lamps that have distressed wood bases, copper or antique brass, stoneware, or rustic pewter. These are an especially good match for parchment or linen lampshades.

If you're going for the ethnic look, Asian, Indian or African perhaps, never match the rustic lampshades that you are using with the upholstery or rug work. Try matching it with more subtle pieces like an elk print next to a brass elk figurine. Sometimes it is best to let your lamp stand out if it's an exceptional, or an expensive piece, but not too out, it should still complement the overall feel of the room.