As far as cheap lamp shades are concerned, there are generally two types of shades, which cost less than others and which are sold at very low cost in discount stores.

The first kind are very plain shades in standard colors such as white or cream. These shades come in all sizes and they may be just what you need to suit your lamp base, but in many cases, they look too plain, especially if you have a traditional interior rather than a contemporary one.

The other kind of cheap lamp shades you will find are those which follow current trends. You might think that high fashion items would be more expensive, but actually discount stores, which sell low-cost lamp shades and other items for the home, work on a high volume of sales principle. Being able to sell a lot of items, because the colors are in demand this season, works well for them.

As long as the quality is there and the lamp shades are the right color and style for you home, there is no harm in saving money by buying either of these types of lamp shades. You can get simple drum lamp shades in cream or in the latest fashion colors, for example, for a lot less than you might otherwise pay.

However, if your room and lamp base would look better with a silk lamp shade or a pagoda shaped one, it is no good buying the cheap variety as that will be detrimental to the look of the room. In that case, you should spend a little more to give your room the lamp shade it needs.