Paper shades are a neat addition to any event, home, or space. Whether you're looking to put the final touches on your living room, planning your wedding decorations, or furnishing a restaurant, our selection of paper shades will help you add a little whimsy to the project.
Presenting you with a diverse selection of sizes, colors, and brands, we've picked out some of the best paper shades available, helping you on your quest for exquisite décor. Whilst we have plenty of favorites, our top pick is without a doubt the Just Artifacts paper lanterns, a classy choice that will inject charm into your given occasion. Read on to learn more about some of our go-to paper shades.
Just Artifacts paper lanterns
Classic, simple, and available in a plethora colors
When it comes to paper shades, these Japanese-style paper lanterns are the gold standard.
Pros:
- Great for events
- Stylish
- Functional
- Easy assembly
- Come in sets of five
- Easy hanging
Cons:
- Fragile
Available in forty-two different colors, ranging from flamingo pink to a trendy slate gray, the Just Artifacts paper lanterns are a must-have addition to any wedding, baby shower, or home. Given their easy assembly and hanging, they can be placed over household lamps or alternatively strung together in a Chinese-style array. Purchased in sets of five, they come in a multitude of sizes to suit the buyer. Go for a subtle 6-inch lamp or go big with a 24-inch lamp – the choice is yours.
Vastar white paper lanterns
Elegance at its best
An affordable choice that will ensure your chosen space looks utterly glamorous.
Pros:
- Easy assembly
- Chic design
- Easy hanging
- Foldable
- Extra LED lights included
Cons:
- Not super sturdy
How to make a statement without shouting? The Vastar white paper lanterns should do just the trick. Classic white and ever-so chic, they’re ideal for adding a whimsical but understated aura to your party, place, or space. Backyard BBQs, wedding receptions, or contemporary outdoor living – whatever the function, they perform. Foldable, with batteries and LED lights included, the product comes with ten 12-inch lanterns. Make that special day extra special.
LURICO colorful paper lanterns
Bold, bright, and beautiful
Why hold back? These lanterns are one way to get the party started.
Pros:
- Stylish design
- Colorful selection
- Ideal for parties
- Affordable
- Come in sets of sixteen
Cons:
- Not the most durable
Party time has arrived thanks to the LURICO colorful paper lanterns. Comprising sixteen lanterns, the set comes in an ebullient selection of colors and sizes, spanning smaller pink 4-inch shades and larger rose-red 10-inch shades. The set-up? Well, that’s the easiest part. The handy C-hook means you can hang the lantern from your bulb of choice, all the while bringing your room to life. Who said décor must be plain?
Sonnis paper lanterns
Elevate your event with a tasteful lanterns
Nothing says ‘extra special’ quite like these thematically selected lanterns.
Pros:
- Come in sets of twelve
- Beautiful color schemes
- Sturdy
- Ideal for special events
- Easy assembly
- Easy hanging
- Affordable
- Hand-crafted
Cons:
- Colors can clash with home furnishings
When it comes to the big day, whatever that may mean for you, a carefully picked selection of paper shades can make all the difference. And that’s where the Sonnis paper lanterns come in. Available in a delightful selection of themed color schemes, such as navy, cyan, and white or sumptuous China reds, these lanterns are a surefire way to give your event a bespoke touch. Hand-crafted, reusable, and made from a sturdy, high-quality tissue paper, they come in sets of twelve and the lanterns vary in size. If you ask us, they’re the icing on the cake to any wedding.
Supla Chinese paper lanterns
The more the merrier
An original style in abundance, this set of lanterns is ideal for those decorating on a large scale.
Pros:
- Come in a set of twenty
- Classic design
- Easy set-up
- Reusable
- Understated
- Affordable
- Come with clear instructions
Cons:
- Very basic design
Decorating for big events needn’t be scary; if anything, the Supla Chinese paper lanterns will make it a joy. Each set comes with a selection of twenty paper shades, which vary in size. Easy to work with, especially when you’re on a budget, they are a cool, crisp white, and they offer an even, warm glow. If you’re feeling extra creative, you can even adorn them with your own DIY designs. A great choice for those savvier individuals.
Ikea pendant lamp shade
Minimalist beauty, certain to elevate your home
As far as homeware is concerned, Ikea’s pendant lamp shade is a winner.
Pros:
- Handmade
- Easy set-up
- Easy hanging
- Unique
- Minimalist design
Cons:
- Only one lamp shade
If Ikea is synonymous with one thing, it’s modest luxury, and this Ikea pendant lampshade is no exception to the rule. Hand-crafted, each lampshade is totally unique and designed in a traditional style from rice paper. A larger sized lampshade, it looks best as a single, subtle furnishing, adding tranquility and ambiance to a home. Set-up and hanging are hassle-free, and once up, the lampshade will elevate your chosen space. This is one for the home-makers.
Our verdict
Why you can trust Real Homes
Given its classic design, affordability, and magical selection of colors, our favorite product is the Just Artifacts paper lanterns set. After all, how many color lanterns have you seen available in mints, lavenders, and peaches, as well as the more typical white and golds? That said, we do have other choices in mind, particularly for those with more selective criteria.
If you have a penchant for timeless style, it has to be the Vastar white paper lanterns. However, if you like it loud and proud, look to LURICO colorful paper lanterns. Event planners, Sonnis paper lanterns have you covered.
But what about those decorating on a large scale? Try Supla Chinese paper lanterns. On the other hand, for small-scale home decoration which whispers chic, it simply must be this Ikea pendant lampshade.
Why trust us?
At Real Homes, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.
Join our newsletter
Get small space home decor ideas, celeb inspiration, DIY tips and more, straight to your inbox!
Working across digital and print publications, Joseph Bobowicz is a London-born writer obsessed with books, culture, and all things new. When he's not writing about fashion for i-D and the Independent, he's out sourcing the best homewares to incorporate into any humble abode, fixer-upper, or first-time buy alike.