“ Use an LED bulb, stay within the fixture’s rated wattage, and keep at least 3 cm of clearance between the bulb and the shade — do those three things and a paper pendant is as safe as any other light. The real risk is an oversized incandescent in a tight shade. ”
Designer tip
How to pick the right size
- Match the shade to the table or surface. Over a dining table, aim for a shade roughly half to two-thirds the table’s width — a 36-inch table works well with a shade between 18 and 24 inches. For a bedside pendant, a shade 10–14 inches across is usually enough. Bigger shades cast wider, softer pools; smaller ones are more focused.
- Hang it at the right height. Over a dining table, the bottom of the shade should sit 28–34 inches above the tabletop as a rule of thumb — low enough to illuminate the table without blocking sightlines across it. For a bedside reading pendant, hang so the bottom of the shade sits roughly at shoulder height when you are sitting up.
- Choose a bulb that fits the shade. Le Klint recommends a minimum 3 cm gap between the light source and the shade wall. Their shades support up to a 20 W LED. For smaller shades (14–17 cm), 4.5 W is plenty; for medium shades (23–38 cm), 8.5 W gives about 1,055 lumens. Never use an incandescent that runs near the socket’s maximum wattage — the heat buildup at the top of the shade is what starts fires. LEDs run cool.
- Check the shade material. Le Klint’s handcrafted shades are made from their proprietary PVC-coated material or the original semi-transparent paper. Both are designed for the small LED sources above; neither is intended for halogen or incandescent bulbs that approach the socket’s wattage limit. If the top of the shade feels hot to the touch after five minutes, the bulb is too large or the shade is too narrow.
12 paper and folded-shade pendants
Not sure which size fits your ceiling or table? Our design team is happy to help.