A Small But Mighty Switch – The Lampshade Swap Every Designer I'm Speaking To is Making this Fall

As much as I love a simple linen or rattan lampshade in summer, there's something about them that doesn't sit right in fall. While they of course remain timeless and quietly elegant, I think we can do better for cozy season.

And it turns out, designers agree. On a mission to find out everything there is to know about lighting, I called upon my roster of design experts to find out all the fall lighting switches they're making – and the biggest tip might just be the smallest detail of all.

A simple, easy, and budget-friendly hack, a pattern shade swap is a small but mighty update that totally changes the game. Whether you pick florals, stripes, plaids, or pleats, these are the lampshade prints the experts are picking to bring character to a scheme for fall.

Three Pattern Shade Swaps to Make in Fall

As I started asking designers what patterns they’re drawn to right now, three clear patterns came out on top. And there's a lighting idea here for every interior design style. Let's get into it.

1. Fall Florals

This season is all about pattern with a story. Designers are turning to hand-printed and small-scale floral lampshades to bring a touch of craft and botanicals back into our homes.

'I think of patterned lampshades like jewelry for fall,' says Kailee Blalock from House of Hive Design Co. 'They add soul to a space instantly. We're drawn to block prints, small-scale florals, and stripes. Right now, I’m loving shades that look hand-printed or slightly irregular, nothing too perfect.'

That handcrafted charm is part of the appeal. As designer Lauren Gilberthorpe agrees: 'This season, I favor shades in hand-blocked prints, earthy botanicals, or softly abstract motifs. Pleated, gathered, or textured florals diffuse the light beautifully, creating a warm glow and a sense of intimacy.'

Look for shades that have sweet embroidered florals, or block print motifs that feel a touch more contemporary.

For Molly Torres Portnof of DATE Interiors, it’s about embracing richer tones too: 'For fall, choose smaller-scale floral patterns in warm, autumnal colours like ochre, burnt sienna, and umber.'

2. Folk and Ikat Prints

Where florals are soft and nature-inspired, folk and ikat prints add an extra rich, warm, and crafty layer.

'I’m always drawn to bold geometrics, playful folkloric prints, and anything that feels hand-drawn or just a little offbeat,' says Kit Kemp. 'That’s where the charm lies, and a patterned lampshade is one of the easiest and most joyful ways to add character to a space.'

Whether it’s an antique, softly faded ikat, or a unique folk design, these prints give a room a sense of nostalgia.

Jo Plant, chief creative director at Pooky, adds: 'I am always a huge fan of an ikat print – the bold, strong patterns and mix of colors look amazing in both minimalist and maximalist interiors. This season, I will be reaching for the Red Aqua Bokhara Gathered Shade by GP&J Baker for Pooky.'

Designer Christina Cruz is also a fan, saying: 'We love a printed floral or ikat pattern,' she says, adding that pleated or fluted silhouettes give these printed shades subtle curves.

3. Stripe on Stripe

For something a little more contemporary – yet still totally cozy – designers are also drawn to classic stripes.

'The beauty of a stripe is its versatility; it brings a sense of rhythm and order, yet still feels lively,' adds Kit Kemp. 'Our new High Tide Lampshade [seen above] is a wonderfully striking striped design, available in vibrant red or graphic cobalt blue. It balances beautifully in richly layered interiors, but can just as easily lift more pared-back schemes. It’s one of those rare motifs that sits comfortably between classical, contemporary, and everything in between.'

'This season, I’m drawn to textural shades, embroidered, pleated, or woven, and prints that have movement, like painterly stripes or small-scale florals,' adds Michelle Murphy of DEMI RYAN. 'I love when a lampshade adds personality and softness to a room. It’s a wonderful way to introduce patterns without overwhelming the space.'

Try swapping a plain linen drum for a pleated shade in a hand-painted inky blue stripe or a soft fabric ticking stripe in cinnamon and ivory.

Jeanne Barber, founder of Camden Grace Interiors, agrees, adding: 'Entering this fall season, we’re gravitating toward pleated shades in earthy brown prints and small-scale geometric block print we used that adds warmth and texture and transitions a space for cooler months ahead.'

It turns out, the easiest way to make your home feel fresh this fall might just be to change your lampshades. Whether it’s a tiny block print, a bold ikat, or a painterly stripe, this simple switch can breathe life back into an overlooked corner or a tired table lamp base with ease.