How to Choose Lantern Shades to Enhance Your Camping Experience, Plus DIY Ideas! Recommended Products Included

A "lantern" is essential for lighting up your campsite. A "lantern shade" is an accessory that attaches to the lantern. Lantern shades help adjust the light and create a stylish atmosphere.

However, with so many lantern shades available—varying in shape, purpose, and material—it’s no wonder many people find it hard to choose the right one.

So, in this article, we’ll cover the following topics regarding lantern shades:

• What Is a Lantern Shade?
• How to Choose
• DIY Ideas
  

We’ll also take a closer look at TOKYO CRAFTS Lantern Shades” and “Lantern Hangers.”

If you want to make your camping nights even more comfortable and stylish, please check this out.

What is a Lantern Shade?

A “lantern shade” is a piece of outdoor gear that attaches to a lantern, a common source of light while camping.

Depending on the product, attaching a lantern shade can serve various purposes, such as reducing excessive glare, reflecting upward light to illuminate your workspace, or expanding the limited lighting range in all directions.

In addition to their practicality, lantern shades also help create a soothing atmosphere by changing the color of the light or projecting patterns.

Another benefit is that attaching a lantern shade makes the lantern look even more stylish. Attaching a lantern shade makes the lantern look even more stylish.

How to Choose a Lantern Shade

There are many lantern shades available in different shapes and materials, and the best choice depends on your intended use and the type of lantern you have.

Keep the following four points in mind to choose the best lantern shade for your lantern.

• Compatible Size
• Material
• Design and Type
• Manufacturer

How to Choose #1: Choose a product that fits

While some lantern shades are designed to fit a variety of lanterns, others are made specifically for certain models.

If you don’t check the size, you may find that it doesn’t fit your lantern. Before purchasing, be sure to carefully verify that the size is compatible with your lantern.

How to Choose #2: Choose a Material That Matches Your Camping Style

Since some lanterns use open flames, the appropriate shade material varies depending on the type of lantern. For oil or gasoline lanterns that use open flames, you cannot use lantern shades made of flammable materials. You must choose shades made of metal, such as stainless steel, or glass.

Also, for backpacking or tent camping while hiking, it’s best to choose materials that are as lightweight as possible, such as nylon.

－Stainless Steel

"Stainless steel shades" are lightweight among metals, resistant to rust, and easy to maintain. Since they are fire-resistant, they can be used not only with LED lanterns but also with fuel-powered lanterns such as gasoline or oil lanterns.

－Leather

The main appeal of "leather shades" for LED lanterns is their stylish appearance. They add a touch of elegance to natural, rustic, or antique-style campsites. Leather develops a unique patina and color over time, so you can enjoy the process of "aging" it.

Additionally, because it’s a soft material, it has some flexibility, so you can reuse it with lanterns of similar sizes.

－Glass

Heat-resistant "glass shades" can also be used with fuel-powered lanterns such as gasoline or oil lanterns.

Since it can add color and patterns to the light, it’s perfect for creating an atmospheric campsite. The glass shade itself has a stylish look, so simply placing it there creates a charming ambiance.

－Wood

"Wooden shades" offer a charming, natural aesthetic. They blend well with interior decor and are also recommended for home use. However, due to their high flammability, they can only be used with LED lanterns.

－Plastic

"Plastic shades" are lightweight and highly portable. They come in a variety of shapes and colors, offering a wide range of options.

Plastic shades are also only compatible with LED lanterns.

－Nylon

Bag-shaped shades that completely cover LED lanterns are made of nylon. They are lightweight and pack down compactly, making them ideal for backpacking or camping in tents while hiking.

How to Choose #3: Decide on Design and Type

Lantern shades can be broadly categorized into the following five types based on their design.

• Umbrella Type
• Bell-shaped
• Pouch Type
• Lattice Type
• Lantern-style

Different types of lanterns are suited for different purposes, so choose a shade design that matches your camping style.

－Umbrella Type

The "umbrella type" is designed to be placed over the lantern. By reflecting light upward, it increases the amount of light directed downward, effectively illuminating your work area more brightly.

－Hoya Type

A "globe" is the part that covers the burning or lighting section of a lantern. Also known as a "glove," it protects the burning or lighting section from wind and impact.

"Globe-type" lantern shades are available for both oil lanterns and LED lanterns. For oil lanterns, you remove the original globe and replace it with the new one. For LED lanterns, however, you simply attach the shade directly over the existing globe.

While the globes that come standard with lanterns are mostly transparent and simple in design, "globe-type" lantern shades feature colors and patterns, allowing you to enjoy atmospheric lighting.

－Bag Type

"Pouch-type" shades are designed to be slipped over headlamps or LED lanterns. When you fully cover the light source with a pouch-type shade, even light that originally illuminated a narrow area spreads softly throughout the surrounding space.

Bag-type shades are made of nylon fabric. This makes them extremely lightweight and easy to fold up for transport. Their high portability makes them ideal for backpacking and tent camping during hikes.

－Lattice Type

The "Lattice Type" features 10 or more slats arranged in a circular pattern. You mount an LED lantern in the center of the slats to use it. The light filtering through the gaps between the slats creates atmospheric shadows.

Materials such as wood and acrylic are used, allowing you to enjoy different lighting atmospheres depending on the material.

－Lantern Type

The "Lantern Type" features box-shaped or circular shades resembling traditional lanterns or paper lanterns. It is used by mounting an LED lantern inside.

The text and patterns on the sides of the shade are beautifully illuminated by the light.

How to Choose #4: Choose by Manufacturer

Lantern shades are sold by a wide variety of manufacturers.

This means you can pair a lantern shade from a different brand with your lantern.

Smaller brands, often referred to as "garage brands," offer lantern shades with unique designs, so we recommend checking them out.

Ideas for Making Your Own Lantern Shades

Some campers enjoy creating their own lantern shades to enjoy a unique, personalized ambiance. Here, we’ll briefly introduce three ideas using various materials.

Idea 1: Using Hemp Twine

First, here’s a quick guide to making a lantern-style shade using jute twine.

Inflate a rubber balloon to the size of the lantern shade you want to make. Next, wrap the jute twine evenly around the balloon. Then, apply a generous amount of glue mixed with water over the twine and let it dry. Once dry, pop the balloon inside and remove it—your jute twine shade is complete.

Idea 2: Using Origami

By folding copy paper or drawing paper, you can create a lantern-style shade. The result is a stylish shade that looks just like a Scandinavian lampshade. There are tutorials on YouTube and other platforms, so be sure to check them out for reference.

Idea 3: Using Leather

We also recommend making your own umbrella-shaped shade using leather. Since leather can be left with raw edges, it requires less effort than sewing around the edges of fabric, making it easy for beginners to try. Not only does it look stylish, but it also develops a nice patina as it ages with use.

To make it, first cut two fan-shaped pieces of leather and sew them together. Then, sew on a snap fastener, and you’re done.

TOKYO CRAFTS Lantern Products

TOKYO CRAFTS offers a selection of lantern-related items, such as "lantern shades" and "lantern hangers," designed to further enhance the glow of oil lanterns.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these items.

Oil Lantern Globe Hammered Series

The "Oil Lantern Globe Hammered Series" is a series of bell-shaped lantern shades.

It is designed to fit the classic lantern oil

• FEUERHAND 276
• DIETZ 76/78
• CAPTAIN STAG CS Oil Lantern (Medium)

.

Featuring a textured glass surface, it envelops your campsite in a magical glow. After much trial and error, we arrived at the ideal glass thickness that balances durability with beautiful light.

Available in three colors: "Warm, gentle amber like twilight," "Gray with a chic atmosphere," and "Clear with the crisp brightness of a full moon."

Sunset Hanger

The "Sunset Hanger" is a lantern hanger with a beautiful arched design.

The design is not only beautiful but also functional. By curving the pole into a bow shape instead of keeping it straight, you can adjust the height and angle to your liking.

With a straight pole, the pole and the table would interfere with each other when lighting the table. However, because the Sunset Hanger’s pole is curved, it does not interfere with the table, allowing you to illuminate the table directly from above.

Also, with straight lantern hangers, it can be difficult to drive them into the ground. But thanks to the bow-shaped design, you don’t need to drive it straight in, making it easy even for beginners.

Lantern shades are a great way to easily change the atmosphere of your campsite!

Lantern shades make it easy to adjust the light from your lantern, add color to the glow, and give your lantern a stylish look.

Using a lantern shade expands the ways you can enjoy lighting while camping.

If you keep the selection tips and DIY methods introduced here in mind, you’re sure to find the perfect lantern shade for you. Use your favorite lantern shade to make your camping nights even more comfortable and stylish.