Lamp shades tend to settle into the background when it comes to a room’s decor.
Unfortunately, when they are not as they’re supposed to look, they also stand out for all the wrong reasons. A person will notice when a lamp shade is damaged, worn down, or tilted to one side.
This is when it becomes important to figure out how to fix a tilting lamp shade.
To fix a tilting lamp shade, start by taking off the shade, harp saddle, and harp. Now, begin twisting the saddle until the shade evens out. Once you’re happy, reset the harp saddle and harp to ensure it does not move side to side.
It’s common for a crooked lamp shade to become a problem. If you don’t correct it, the problem is only going to worsen.
Take your time working through the steps and ensure you are tightening each part of the lamp shade during the process.
This is a must.
This article will take a look at how to fix a tilting lamp shade.
Table of Contents
Best Lamp Shade (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
No products found.
Steps On How To Fix Tilting Lamp Shade
1. Remove The Shade
If a lamp shade is wobbly or tilted, you will want to begin taking it apart at the top.
This is done by loosening the lamp shade and then re-tightening it.
To complete this process, you are going to begin by removing the shade. You will want to work your way to the connector that holds the lamp shade in place.
This should come off easily and will allow you to access the connectors better.
When you are doing this, it is important to take your time and ensure you are not tearing the lamp shade or bending it. This is when things worsen and it gets to the point where the shade itself is not salvageable.
You need to be patient during this process and realize the lamp shade is fragile. It should not be ripped off as that is going to make it unusable.
2. Take Off The Harp Saddle and Harp
To fix a crooked lamp shade, you will now need to take off the harp and harp saddle.
This will be located on top or around the bulb.
The reason for the harp saddle is to offer a place for the lamp shade to sit. In most cases, this is going to be the problem area.
The saddle can start to lean to one side or the other when it loosens. This is why removing the lamp shade is a good starting point as it will allow you to get a proper look at the harp and harp saddle.
The goal here is to unscrew them and take off both parts.
Once again, you should be gentle during the process as you don’t want to damage the connectors.
3. Twist The Saddle To Align Lamp Shade
Now it is time to begin twisting the saddle.
You will want to align it and then begin twisting or tightening the saddle until it doesn’t wobble.
You will notice this when you press against the harp saddle. When it is in place properly, it will not wobble or start tilting.
This is an imperative test to do or you might have to remove everything again because the harp saddle wasn’t tightened correctly.
4. Re-Check The Lamp Shade
You are now going to do a simple test.
Place the lamp shade back on top of the harp saddle and then push against the shade.
The reason for doing this is to see whether or not it holds its shape. Remember, a fully functional harp saddle is not going to tilt with a bit of external pressure. It will go back to where it is supposed to be or the lamp itself is going to fall.
When a lamp shade tilts, this means the harp saddle is loose or the shade has bent.
Take your time, work on the shade, and make sure you are as careful as you can be during the process.
Final Thoughts
These are the main steps on how to fix a tilting lamp shade.
When fixing a tilting lamp shade, start by removing the shade. Now, unscrew the harp and harp saddle connected to the base. Put the saddle back and twist until it’s in alignment with the base and completely straight. Place the shade back and ensure it’s not crooked.
In most cases, this will get the job done and is only going to take a few minutes.
The only time more extensive repairs are needed is when one of these components gets ruined. It can happen depending on how the lamp was moved around.
This becomes a concern when you moved from point A to point B and the lamp was placed inside a moving truck or in a storage area. If that is the case, it’s best to replace the damaged component if you want to use the lamp again.
Here’s More On Lamps: