If you're thinking about having a lampshade recovered but aren't sure what to budget, you're not alone, it's one of the questions I get asked most often. The honest answer is that recovering costs vary depending on several factors, but in this post I'll walk you through everything that affects the price so you can get a clear idea of what to expect before you get in touch.
What affects the cost of lampshade recovering?
Before we get to the numbers, it's worth understanding the main factors that influence the price of a recovering:
Size is the biggest factor. A small bedside table shade takes significantly less time and fabric than a large floor lamp shade, so size has the most direct impact on cost.
Style matters too. Traditional hand-sewn soft shades are considerably more labour intensive than contemporary drum shades, which is reflected in the price. A traditional empire shade involves stripping the frame, binding it with cotton tape, hand stretching the fabric, and hand sewing it into place - a process that can take multiple hours for a single shade. A drum shade uses a hard PVC backing and is quicker to produce.
Condition of the frame can also affect the price. If a frame needs significant cleaning, sanding, or respraying before recovering can begin, this adds time to the process.
Fabric choice plays a role if you're asking the maker to source fabric on your behalf. If you supply your own fabric, this element doesn't apply.
Traditional soft shade recovering prices
Traditional hand-sewn soft shades are the most labour intensive style to recover, and the prices reflect the skill and time involved. Here's a guide to what you can expect to pay:
- Extra small (up to 15cm diameter) - from £70
- Small (up to 25cm diameter) - from £100
- Medium (up to 35cm diameter) - from £150
- Large (up to 45cm diameter) - from £180
- Extra large (up to 55cm diameter) - from £210
Unlined shades are generally £10–£30 less depending on size. For shades larger than 55cm, please get in touch for a personalised quote.
These prices include stripping the original fabric, inspecting and preparing the frame, binding with cotton tape, hand stretching and pinning the fabric, hand sewing, and attaching the binding and trim to finish.
Contemporary drum shade recovering prices
Drum shades use a different construction method, a hard PVC backing rather than hand sewing, which makes them quicker to recover. Prices are therefore lower than traditional soft shades:
- Extra small (up to 15cm diameter) - from £40
- Small (up to 25cm diameter) - from £60
- Medium (up to 35cm diameter) - from £85
- Large (up to 45cm diameter) - from £110
- Extra large (up to 55cm diameter) - from £140
Please note these are guide prices, every shade is assessed individually and you'll always receive a personalised quote before any work begins.
What about fabric?
You have two options when it comes to fabric:
Supply your own - this is a popular choice and means you can choose something that perfectly matches your home. I will advise you on the right weight and type of fabric for your shade style before you buy.
Ask your maker to source it - if you'd prefer not to source fabric yourself, many lampshade makers including Lume Lighting offer a fabric sourcing service. Here at Lume Lighting, this is available for a fee of £25, which covers the time spent finding the right fabric for your shade. You'll always be shown options and given the chance to approve the fabric before any work begins.
I also have a selection of in-house plain and printed linen fabrics available if you'd like to choose from an existing range.
Is lampshade recovering worth the cost?
For many people the answer is a clear yes, and here's why. If your shade sits on a quality lamp base, or if it's a large shade that would cost significantly more to replace with something of equivalent quality, recovering almost always represents better value. A well-made lampshade frame can last a lifetime, it's only the fabric that ages.
Recovering also gives you something a replacement can't, the ability to choose exactly the fabric you want, perfectly matched to your home. And of course there's the environmental benefit of keeping a perfectly good frame out of landfill.
Where recovering may be less cost-effective is for very small or inexpensive shades where the frame itself has little value. If you're unsure whether recovering is the right option for your shade, the best thing to do is send a photo and ask, most makers will give you an honest answer.
Every recovering at Lume Lighting is individually quoted based on the size, style, condition, and fabric of your shade. Getting a quote is simple, just send me a few photos along with the measurements of your shade and I'll come back to you with a price. There's no obligation and no charge for a quote.
I offer a UK-wide postal recovering service, so wherever you are in the country you can simply post your shade to me and I'll send it back beautifully recovered. Customers send their shades to me from all over the UK, from Cornwall to Scotland.
Get a free quote for your lampshade recovering →
Frequently asked questions
Do you charge for a quote?
No - quotes are always free and there's no obligation to proceed.
Do I need to supply my own fabric?
No - you can supply your own fabric, choose from my in-house range, or ask me to source something for you for a £25 sourcing fee.
How long does recovering take?
Lead times vary depending on my current workload, but I'll always give you a clear timeframe when I provide your quote.
Can you recover any size of shade?
I cater for a wide range of sizes including very large shades. If your shade is larger than 55cm please get in touch for a personalised quote.
How do I send my shade if I'm not local?
I offer a UK-wide postal service. Once we've agreed on your quote and fabric I'll ask for a deposit, and then guide you on how to pack your shade safely for posting. I'll send it back to you via courier, fully insured.
I'm a professional lampshade maker based in Hove, East Sussex, with over 10 years of experience recovering and making lampshades. Find out more about my UK-wide postal lampshade recovering service at Lume Lighting.
