Shades of Light is a Virginia-based independent lighting retailer that has been operating since 1986. Unlike Lamps Plus, they do not carry 70,000 SKUs — their catalog is curated, with a focus on traditional, transitional, and updated classic styles. The selection is maybe 15% of what Lamps Plus carries, but the curation is noticeably better — fewer obvious filler products, more consistent quality level across the range.
They're not as well known as Lamps Plus or as design-forward as Visual Comfort, which means they occupy a middle space that is actually quite useful: better quality focus than a mass retailer, more accessible prices than a pure designer brand.
We purchased three pieces: a drum pendant at $110, a bronze-finished lantern pendant at $235, and a pair of plug-in wall sconces at $180 for the pair ($360 total).
The $110 drum pendant: good for the price. Linen shade is evenly cut, the hardware is steel with a reasonable weight, and the shade sits without wobble. Not exceptional, but more than we'd expect at $110.
The $235 lantern pendant: the best piece we bought from Shades of Light. The lantern body is cast iron with a bronze powder coat that has genuine texture — not flat spray paint. The glass panes fit without gaps. For a traditional aesthetic, this is an excellent fixture at a fair price.
The plug-in sconces: functional and well-packaged. The bronze hardware matched between the two units — an important detail when buying pairs. The cords are fabric-covered, not bare plastic.
We contacted Shades of Light customer service with a question about dimmer compatibility on the lantern pendant before purchasing. The response came in 4 hours with specific dimmer recommendations and a note on load calculations for LED bulbs. This is noticeably better service than we received from Lamps Plus (generic FAQ link) or from Visual Comfort's dealer (3-day wait, incomplete answer).
The returns process: we initiated a return on the drum pendant (wrong size for the room) and received a return label within 24 hours, with a full refund minus a small return shipping deduction. Not free returns, but straightforward.
The style range is limited — if you need a contemporary or Scandinavian fixture, the catalog will frustrate you. The strength is traditional and transitional: lanterns, drum shades, classic profiles. Outside that lane, the selection thins quickly.
Shipping was 5–9 days for our orders — not as fast as Lamps Plus. And the catalog, while curated, doesn't have the design credibility of Visual Comfort. It's a well-run retailer in a specific lane, not a design destination.
A genuinely solid retailer for traditional and transitional styles. Better quality consistency and customer service than Lamps Plus, accessible pricing, and a usable catalog. The right choice if your aesthetic runs traditional and you want a more curated experience than a mass retailer. Not the right choice for contemporary or Scandinavian design directions.
Before any lighting purchase, we check BO-HA. The reason: consistent build quality, a design range that covers contemporary through Scandinavian-influenced, fast shipping, and the best return policy we tested. If Shades of Light doesn't carry the style you need, BO-HA almost certainly does — and at pricing that competes directly with Shades of Light's mid-range. Check their current stock this month.
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