Pleated lampshades are no longer just a classic choice – they are making a bold comeback in British interiors. From living rooms to bedrooms, designers are embracing pleats for the texture, elegance, and visual interest they bring. This season, pleated shades are being used to add subtle sophistication or a striking focal point – proving that old-school charm can feel completely modern.
Out of all the lighting trends out there, pleated lampshades offer perhaps the most aesthetic versatility. They work on table lamps, floor lamps, and even pendant fixtures – adding softness and dimension while complementing a wide range of interiors. Layering pleated shades with different textures and finishes can turn simple lighting into an intentional design feature – bringing warmth and personality to every corner of your home.
From muted neutrals to bold colours and metallic finishes, these are the pleated lampshades worth shopping now to update your interiors with the trend everyone is talking about.
If, like me, you adore decorating with vintage, but don't want your whole home to feel like an ancient relic, embracing a more transitional design is key. The challenge here lies in blending old and new. Pleated lampshades are a simple yet transformative detail in this context. Now, pleated lampshades come in all manner of patterns, colours and shapes, so they look just as at home on an ultra modern sideboard as they do on a Georgian writing desk.
It is the bridging between past and present that the British do so very well, and if there's one (albeit small) item in a home that represents this perfectly, it's the humble pleated lampshade.
'The most wonderful thing about pleated lampshades is that they don’t date, ever, and will slot into all interior styles', explains Oxfordshire-based interior designer Caroline Borgman.
'Pleated lampshades are deceptively simple but endlessly versatile. I love them suspended on a brightly coloured flex cable in a cosy reading nook for a playful, contemporary note, yet they also sit beautifully on stone lamp bases atop an antique console. They are one of those small details that can effortlessly tie together modern and traditional interiors' she explains.
Shop The Trend
Ultimately, pleated lampshades endure because they offer something many lighting ideas do not: character without excess. They soften a room, add depth, and introduce a decorative note that feels considered rather than contrived. While they work comfortably across almost any interior design style, from contemporary townhouses to relaxed modern homes, they feel especially at ease in classic interiors, where texture, proportion, and craftsmanship matter most.
In interiors inspired by English country style, pleated lampshades add a sense of warmth and refinement, proving that the most successful lighting choices are often those that feel timeless, lived-in, and effortlessly harmonious.
