Lamp Shades, what is the point

[PupInAPram]

I started taking lamp shades off ceiling lights today to get rid of dust. I realised I much prefer the light and look of a bare light fitting. I mean really, what's the point of lamp shades? They gather dust and block some of the light from the bulb. I've put all the (admittedly very old) shades in the bin. They may never be replaced. Aibu: yes it's nutso to live in a house with no lamp shades, no - you may start a new trend.

Personal choice isn’t it really?

You mean you never dusted your shades?

I'm not a fan of the current trend of bare bulbs dangling everywhere.

Each to their own I suppose.

A naked bulb is way too bright surely

I think there is a bit of a trend towards bare lights with industrial style wire “shades” and naice bulbs. I know what you mean about the bare bulbs giving more light but it does look a little too cut back for me.

I get the extra light element of being shadeless, but looking at a bare bulb is weird and sore for eyes. It also means it doesn’t look dressed. Buy light fittings rather than shades if you have to.

They are just regular bare bulbs, not designer features. I just like it better. I like that it's really bright.

It depends on the light fitting really, and it depends on what kind of shades you choose. I do think some fabric shades can look dated but bare bulbs look like the room is unloved to me.

I don’t like bare bulbs. They hurt my eyes.

@DroopyClematis

I'm not a fan of the current trend of bare bulbs dangling everywhere.

Each to their own I suppose.

I guess if it's already a trend, I'm in fashion without even knowing it 😊

You can always just get a light fitting if you hate light shades so much. Bare bulbs look rather scruffy imo. I barely ever use the main light in the living room and bedrooms, it’s too bright and I prefer lamps.

The only bare lights that look good are the ones inset in the ceiling. But a dangling naked bulb is not likeable or stylish to me. I suppose a trend might start, there was a fashion trend where it was suddenly stylish to dress like a homeless person with pre-ripped and stained clothes and pre-battered shoes.

Can't stand a bare bulb. Makes me think people couldn't be bothered buying a lampshade. But each to their own I guess!

I love dimmer light so I’m happy with shades.
Historically I’m guessing they kind of grew from candle shades and gas light shades to stop blowing out ?? Then also sensible to shade the very bright element in new dangles electric fittings ?

I hate the look and stark brightness of bare bulbs personally, but it's your house, you can have what you like!

Ha, this is an ongoing point of dispute between DP and I. He needs lighting to be "just so" and will go to frankly bizarre and fussy lengths to ensure it. I'm happy with bare bulbs, bright main lights, whatever as long as I can see.

A dangling naked regular bulb to me looks/feels clinical. Too bright artificial light is also not something that gives me good vibes. Shades diffuse the light and (if you find ones you like) add to the style of the room. So your way is definitely not for me but you do you.

There's something depressing and prison-like about bare bulbs. Makes me think of the opening credits of 'Callan' when I was a kid:

If you mean your basic 100 watt hanging a couple of inches off a fat electric wire near the ceiling then NO! You might as well complete the look with a blanket up at the window instead of a curtain!!

There's ways to do clear bright lighting - and it's not to just take the ceiling shades off.

I think YANBU. LEDs / indirect light are the way forward. What's the point in a light if you're going to shade it? Horses for courses though I suppose.

[quote SturminsterNewton]There's something depressing and prison-like about bare bulbs. Makes me think of the opening credits of 'Callan' when I was a kid:

[/quote] Now that's taken me back. I loved that show.

My ILs don’t have a shade on the light in their lounge. It gives me migraines. Fortunately we live a couple of hundred miles away so I don’t have to come up with excuses to avoid the room.

Exactly what @Laiste says. It looks really awful, as though you have a crap landlord and are there temporarily. It looks institutional. Just dust the shade ffs. You're not suddenly in fashion if you just have a 100watt bayonet bulb in it!

Looking at bare bulbs isn't nice - it may not be quite as bad now as with old incandescent filaments. And bare bulbs create much harsher shadows than if there's a shade to diffuse it.

I find bulbs way too bright without a lampshade - they give me a headache after a while!