New Shades

• For almost any lamp, a new shade can make a dramatic change in its appearance. You could replace your cloth shades with ones made from glass or plastic. If they are the mini-shades installed on a fan light, you could change the color/texture of the glass. You might substitute a bold red or blue set of glass shades for your existing clear ones, or replace glass shades with fabric styles. If your fixture is a table or floor lamp you could easily alter and upgrade its appearance by installing a taller or shorter harp and fitting a new shade to accommodate it. For a flush-mounted ceiling fixture like those commonly in kitchens, you could replace the frosted shade with a clear glass one or vice versa.
  
  

Lamp Cord

• If the cord on your swag, table or floor lamp is showing signs of age, why not replace it? Replacement cords are available in white, black, brown, shimmering gold or lustrous silver. They are usually sold in 12- or 15-foot lengths and have a molded-on wall plug as well. Buy the longest one available. You may be able to eliminate using an extension cord. If your room has only a few wall outlets, you can rearrange the furniture and give your upgraded lamp a new location as well.
  
  

New Sockets

• If your table or floor lamp has an older style socket, you could replace it with a 3-way model. Or if you have already decided to replace your brass finish harp with one coated with nickel, you can install a white metal finish socket to match it. Installing a new socket will take about 5 minutes and the only tool you will require is a screwdriver.
  
  

Fancy Finishing Touches

• As you upgrade your fixture(s) don't forget finishing touches. You might replace the finials with more decorative styles. Faceted glass or vinyl finials are available in a wide array of colors. Solid brass finials are also a popular option. As your choices number in the hundreds, let your imagination and sense of whimsy reign. If your fixture has a chain pull switch, you could add a fancy chain charm.
  
  

Bulbs

• Light bulb styles include frosted, clear, textured/faceted, clear, colored, CF (compact fluorescent) and LED. As with finials, don't be afraid to experiment with different bulb types. As an added benefit, CF and LED bulbs use significantly less electricity than their incandescent counterparts. Over time, you might save enough money to pay for the other upgrades you select.