The '80s Lamp That's Now A Thrift Store Treasure

The '80s were quite a time for interior design. From plush, rose-toned carpets to the warm lighting emanating from oversized mauve lamps that sat on end tables snuggled up against pastel, floral couches – it definitely left its own unique mark on the generation. While much has changed since that era, some things tend to come full circle. And one of those things has become a thrift store treasure: the fluted lampshade.

Fluted, or pleated, lampshades have the distinctive accordion style folds all the way around, very much like your grandmother's favorite bedside lamp. They come in various shapes, like the traditional empire shape or even a drum frame, and sizes that fit small spaces or fill large open areas. And you'll find plenty of different lampshade materials that can transform the energy of your room, as well as colors and prints. There truly is something for everyone.

As you can imagine, when something is wildly popular in one decade and then not in the next, those old items have to go somewhere when they're upgraded. Oftentimes, that somewhere is your local thrift store. And with the current pleated lampshade craze (talk about niche), you'll want to head to the nearest secondhand shop you can find. The search for your next fluted lampshade is on.

Before you dismiss the idea of an '80s-era lampshade, keep in mind that you don't have to go full "Golden Girls" to make it work in your current home. You can actually mix and match the old and new so that vintage lighting blends right in (while also making its own fun statement). No need to refurbish the entire living room or redesign the entire house in grandma's hand-me-downs.

As for how to find the perfect vintage lamps for your space, we suggest starting at your local thrift store. While you scour the home decor section for fluted lampshades, don't be deterred by the plethora of weird lamp bases. If you find a lampshade that really speaks to you but the base is offering more of a scream factor, snag it anyway. You can easily remove the lampshade and add it to a base you already have at home. There's no rule that says you must buy and use the entire thing as it's sold in the store.

While you can find vintage '80s fluted lampshades online on sites like eBay and Etsy, they can run upward of $60 to $70 or more. It will be far less expensive and easier to find something you can imagine in your space to shop at a thrift store IRL. And if you can't find quite what you're looking for, you can make a beautiful pleated lampshade with a simple hot glue DIY.