H&M has just given the paper lampshade a cool girl update – I predict they will be in every stylish home by Autumn
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H&M has just given the classic dome paper lampshade a trendy new form, and I’m obsessed - it’s a cool girl take on a classic trend.
Paper lampshades have, and will continue to be, a timeless lighting trend due to their ability to diffuse harsh lighting and create a structural yet pleasing focal point when you enter a room. They’re elegant, minimalist and quintessential Japandi style.
If you’re looking to update your lighting ideas, H&M’s new paper lighting is not to be missed. They’re funky, visually interesting and will make your home look effortlessly cool.
Paper lampshades have been a lighting staple as far back as ancient China, when paper and bamboo lanterns were used in temples, festivals and celebrations. And since then, they’ve never really left the lighting chat. Now paper lampshades are a cheap and easy way to make a room look stylish and add texture to a space. There’s a reason IKEA’s £2.50 paper lampshade appears in every university bedroom.
But if I were looking to add a paper shade to my home, I’d add H&M’s new large rice paper pendant light (£79.99). It’s far more interesting to look at compared to a standard dome lampshade, not to mention it has a designer look that will get all your guests talking.
H&M’s shades use rice paper to create a soft, cosy glow, making them a great living room and bedroom lighting idea. The rice paper is fitted over iron frames to create a stacked dome effect.
The paper itself is a soft beige, and the beauty of these pendant and floor lamps is in their shape. Japandi design is underlined by simplicity. As these lamps have such a strong, striking shape, they don’t need an excess of colour. The result is effortlessly stylish, and I’d argue it makes the lamps more versatile, too. They’ll blend with any home style.
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What I will say is that H&M’s large pendant light is, well, very large. Therefore, it won’t be suitable for every home. The pendant itself is 95cm tall, so it’s not suitable for homes with low ceilings. For example, my flat has a very low ceiling (I can comfortably touch it without tiptoes), so unfortunately this is not a lampshade that would suit.
Luckily, H&M’s paper floor lamps are an equally beautiful alternative. I particularly like the Rice paper floor lamp (£59.99), which has a stunning boxy shape that gives a timeless trend a futuristic feel. Plus, it stands at 81cm tall, making it small living room-friendly, too.
Paper lampshades will always be stylish. But if you’re looking for a more grown-up take on a trend that’s been done thousands of times already? H&M is the place to go.

Kezia Reynolds joined the Ideal Home team as News Writer in September 2024. After graduating from City, University of London in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, Kezia kicked off her career spending two years working on women’s weekly magazines. She is always on the lookout for the latest home news, finding you the best deals and trends - so you don’t miss a thing!