With add-ons, you can improve your regular lampshade in less than an hour. Our roundup of DIY lampshade ideas includes something to suit every style. Give one (or more) a try as it's a fun and easy way to change up your decorations even if you're a beginner.
painted lampshade
Lampshade painted by Liz Kamarle.carson downing
Stylist and muralist Liz Kamarle used interior paint from various projects around her home to create this stunning lampshade. She first drew the shapes lightly with a pencil, then she used a 2-inch angled brush to apply the paint thinly and evenly, letting it dry between each layer. Liz's trick to keeping her lines clean is to go slow. “I didn't use any tape for this design; I took my time with a paintbrush and drew crisp straight lines,” she says.
dyed lampshade
Dip-dye lampshade by Rachel Mae Smith from The Crafted Life.carson downing
Rachel Mae Smith of The Crafted Life needed two shades of RIT multipurpose dye (Rose Quartz and Royal Blue, $3, Walmart) to complete the dip-dyed look of this DIY lampshade.
Test the level by filling the bathtub halfway with hot water and submerging the shade in the water. Add dye and stir gently. Test the color by soaking it in a paper towel and adjust the dye if necessary. Add the shade to the water and let it soak for 10-15 minutes. Drain the water, flip the lampshade over and repeat with the second color. The first and second dye baths have little overlap. Let dry for 24 hours.
pleated fabric lampshade
Lampshade design by Beth Diana Smith.carson downing
Interior designer Beth Diana Smith covered the linen shades with an African wax-print pleated fabric she already had. She measured the circumference of the top and bottom of the shade, added an inch seam at the top and bottom, ironed it and secured it with fabric glue. The top is 8 inches smaller than the bottom, so Smith made eight 1-inch pleats and used binder clips to hold them in place while working. After trimming her pleats, she ironed them and secured the top and bottom with dots of fabric glue. She coated the inside of the fabric with spray adhesive and secured the pleats, seams, and fringe with fabric adhesive.
watercolor lampshade
Watercolor lampshade design by Matt Saunders.carson downing
Designer Matt Saunders created his own watercolors based on a food coloring-based recipe by Happy Hooligans. He used his two shades of green, one mixed with a little coffee to weaken it. The recipe calls for cornstarch, so the trick is to stir it well to avoid lumps. To prevent drips, use a damp, dry natural-bristle brush.
What is his inspiration? “I was quarantining in Tucson and I was really inspired by the patterns on the saguaro cacti,” Sanders said. “I thought it would be wonderful to make patterns from the trunks and arms of majestic plants. I want to make a sofa with this pattern!”
botanical lamp shade
Botanical lampshade design by Inslee Fariss.carson downing
Artist Inslee Fariss created this DIY lampshade using Angelus Leather Paint ($8, Walmart). “It's very easy to work with, adheres well to anything you put on it, and dries quickly,” she says. “It's the perfect consistency so you don't have to mix the water.” Inslee planned a plant composition that included a variety of flowers and small insects, but she kept an overall green and white color scheme to tie all the flowers together. depended on.
If you don't feel confident painting freehand, start by tracing simple plant shapes with a pencil. And remember, even with an IV, you can't go wrong, Farris says. “It could at any time turn into a leaf or a bumblebee on purpose.”
DIY decoupage design
marty baldwin
Create a DIY lampshade using your favorite fabric or decoupage. This beautiful watercolor drum was made by cutting out floral patterns from leftover fabric. Decoupage media and bias tape create a sophisticated design. Don't be afraid to combine patterns or layer large cutouts to create a fresh, garden-like collage.
golden glow
brie passano
To make this sophisticated black and gold DIY lampshade:
Start with a plain white drum shade. Cover the top and bottom edges of the shade with painter's tape. Carefully spray the inside of the shade with two coats of gold spray paint. Once dry, remove the tape and apply a few coats of black fabric paint to the outside of the shade.
Let it dry and pair it with a contemporary lamp base like this industrial bubble design.
ombre effect
brie passano
Ombre designs aren't going away anytime soon, and we embrace them with this DIY lampshade makeover. To create your design, paint the outside fabric from light to dark colors. When adding color from top to bottom, wet the foam brush with water to blend the colors. Work quickly when painting, as once it dries it will be more difficult to mix.
Coastal charm
brie passano
Dress up the inside and add a subtle change to a plain white lampshade. For this DIY lampshade makeover, we added some fun and bright wallpaper inside the shade. Measure the wallpaper to fit inside the shade and cut it to the appropriate size. (It's always best to cut slightly larger and then go back and trim precisely.) Insert the wallpaper into the shade and use Mod Podge or adhesive to secure the seams.
thread and needle shades
adam albright
Embroidery thread is made for more than just friendship bracelets. Use it to dress up everyday items around the house! Find a plain lampshade and create trendy geometric patterns using floss and a needle. Make sure all tied ends stay inside the lampshade. These contrasting colors stand out against the white fabric and give a freshly painted lamp base a sharp look.
upholstered lamp shade
See how easy it is to wrap your favorite fabric swatch around a lampshade. Bonus points if you can use extra fabric from curtains or linens used elsewhere in the room. This project requires no prior sewing skills.
dainty dot
cameron sadegpour
From a distance, this lampshade appears to be embroidered with French knots. But a closer look reveals that they are not knots. These are dots of paint made with fabric paint of the same dimensions as those collected to decorate the shirt. This DIY lampshade makeover is easy for anyone of any skill level to complete.
fabric dye lampshade
jacob fox
Add color to basic accessories easily and quickly using fabric dyes. For dip-dyed lampshades, mix the powdered dye in a large container. Dip all but a few inches of the shade into the mixture and hold for 3 to 4 minutes. Lift the shade a few inches and press it again to create a darker shade. By repeating this, the color will gradually become darker. Please dry before use.
card stock design
jacob fox
Bring your garden indoors with this flower-inspired shade. Die cut 1-inch and 1-1/2-inch scalloped circles from pastel cardstock in several shades. Draw wavy stems or branches on the lampshade with a paint pen and hot glue punched paper to the ends of the branches. If you don't feel comfortable drawing freehand, create a pattern, tape it to the inside of the shade, and trace it.
recycled fabric lampshade
jacob fox
Breathe new life into an old dress with a lampshade.
Wrap the hem around the bottom of the shade and hot glue it in place. Tuck the rest of the dress around the shade to create a pleat. Once you have the desired look, trim the dress 1 inch above the top edge. Then hot glue the cut ends to the inside of the shade.
Editor's tips
A small size stretchy fabric is best for this project.
fabric scrap shades
jacob fox
We've found the perfect solution for clean scrap fabric. Add it to your lampshade!
Measure the height of your shade and subtract 2 inches. Measure 1 inch around the top and bottom edges of the shade and add 2 inches to each measurement. Cut the fabric to size and gently pull the strings on the long sides to create a fringe. Wrap the band around the end and secure with hot glue. Decorate as desired. I used a strip of fabric with long raw edges and adhesive purls to cover the overlap.
spray painted shades
jacob fox
DIY lampshade makeovers don't get any easier than this spray paint hack.
Use painter's tape to mark the geometric pattern on the shade and wrap the ends of the tape around the top and bottom edges. Spray paint the shade in a well-ventilated area using wide sweeping motions. Paint until desired coverage is achieved. Let dry. Remove the tape and use a gold paint pen to brighten up the edges.
felt diy lampshade
jacob fox
Felt strips add color and texture to a boring lampshade.
To see what it looks like:
Cut a 2-inch wide strip of felt 1 inch longer than the height of the shade. Fold the strip in half lengthwise. Hot glue the strip to the lampshade, making sure it extends 1/2 inch above and below the rim. Press the strips tightly together and change colors every now and then to create a striped pattern.
copper update
This luxurious lampshade is not as expensive as it looks. Even if you don't buy new shades, you can get something beautiful using inexpensive copper foil tape. It's a small change, but it will elevate your space with a chic metallic shine. Simply apply the foil to the paper just like you would a sticker, then use your fingers to smooth out any air bubbles or wrinkles.
geometric design
jacob fox
From a distance, you would never guess that this fuzzy lampshade is decorated with paper. make:
Die cut hexagons (or other geometric shapes) from light and dark pieces of solid card stock. Cut the cotton cord into 5 lengths to fit around the shade, leaving room for overlap. Hot glue each cord 2 to 2-1/2 inches apart. .Fold each hexagon in half from point to point. Place a dot of hot glue in the center of the fold and attach it to the cord so that the fold is perpendicular. Continue adding hexagons, spacing them so that their ends touch when unfolded. Arrange the columns. Shake the paper from light to dark to create an ombre effect.
Editor's tips
Instead of card stock, use paint chips you gathered from the hardware store.
silhouette shades
jacob fox
Think inside your lampshade with this clever silhouette hack. Attach the stencil (ours was designed to look like a cherry blossom branch) to the inside of the lampshade with stencil adhesive. Let dry. Next, dab black paint into the openings of the stencil with a small brush. Remove the stencil and let it dry. Reposition and repeat until the stencil covers as much shade as you want.