The Super Simple Way To Upgrade A Lampshade With Any Fabric

Sometimes the right lamp can make a small room feel bigger, or a boring side table seem more engaging and stylized. A boring lamp, on the other hand, can kill the vibe in a room. But instead of just tossing it in the bin during your next room upgrade, why not spice it up by modifying your old shade to create a new look? Luckily, this is a fairly simple DIY that even beginner crafters can pull off.

It involves removing the old shade and measuring a patterned fabric panel before attaching it to the frame. The end result will be a shade that appears taut and custom-made. This easy-to-follow lamp upgrade can be completed in an hour or less, and it should be easy on your wallet. If you don't have a lamp at home, you can buy a simple table lamp with a fabric shade, like this FOLKSMATE Bedside Table Lamp, for around $20 on Amazon. 

You will need to make a trip to the store to buy a few crafting essentials, such as rubbing alcohol, cotton balls, PVC lampshade adhesive, a fabric panel, and a couple of other items. The adhesive used in the DIY seems to be the most expensive material on the list, but there are alternatives to try out. Overall, this can be quite a fun and easy project to take on if you're feeling inspired!

You can definitely use thrifted items for a DIY lamp that's designer-worthy, so don't be afraid to browse the textile selection at the thrift. The most popular fabrics for lamp shades include cotton, linen, burlap, and other fabrics with a similar look. These fabrics are durable, easy to maneuver, and provide a dose of organic texture. Note that you'll also need a box cutter, quilting ruler, and double-sided tape for this project. Start by removing the lamp shade from the base. Next, using your box cutter, cut the vertical seam of the shade to remove it from the frame. 

Afterward, peel off any remnants from the frame. Use an alcohol-dipped cotton ball to clean off leftover adhesive. Then apply the double-sided tape to the bottom and top of the frame. Lay your old lampshade on the adhesive paper. Grab a pencil to outline the shape of the shade and then cut the paper accordingly. Next, remove the adhesive backing from the paper and place it on top of the underside of your fabric sheet. 

Now you'll need to cut your fabric to the shape, leaving an extra inch on the edges. Take measurements as needed, and then place your double-sided tape along the length of the newly cut adhesive paper. Next, fold the edges of your fabric inward, on top of the tape to adjoin them. Finally, grab the lamp frame and set it at the fabric's end, and then slowly roll it over it, tucking the edges in with the end of a thin fork or the tip of a butter knife.

If you're buying everything new, you can expect to pay approximately $100 for this side project. The most expensive items will be the fabric and the lampshade adhesive, which cost $20 and $30, respectively. Then you have the quilting ruler, tape, and box cutter, which should add up to roughly $30. You can purchase rubbing alcohol and cotton balls for a couple of bucks each, if you don't already have these items. Note that you may be able to save on fabric by thrifting. Also, check out your local antique store for a lamp option, as you luck up on additional savings there.

Consider repurposing old clothing to make this DIY your own. There are so many ways to incorporate different types of fabrics, such as faux leather from an old jacket, or that silk-lined dress that you planned to toss — you don't have to stick to cottons and linens. You can also shake things up by creating a shade from painted leather. Love to sew? Add charming texture and layers to an old lamp by creating a shade from embroidered fabric.

If you really want to make things interesting, get bold by adding a few non-fabric elements like mosaic beads or buttons to your new shade. Just be sure to use a good bead glue and ensure they're fulling dried before on the shade before you add it to the frame. Applying gold leaf spray paint can also make for an interesting lamp customization. It goes on like paint, but its shiny gold sheen can add a swanky touch to your lamp.