source (with instructions)
I thought I'd do a second post for idea's on how to beautify our living space, specifically our own bedrooms with minimal cost. To find the first post about night stands click here.
Does it blow anyone else's mind how expensive lamps can be? Seriously, the more I look around the more I can't believe how such a relatively small furnishings can be so costly. So today, I'd like to talk about some simple ways you can give old lamp shades a second life.
The first example uses ribbon to liven up a boring shade. The drum shade below has a lively criss cross pattern, but you don't have to go this route if you want to do something more simple. I had a little lamp that was given to me as a wedding present. It has a clear base which I like, but the cream shade was turning weird colors in spots and I wasn't sure what to do with it. I bought white ribbon and simply wrapped it around the lamp shade (still going up and down like shown in the picture... not around from side to side) and it turned out great. It was actually because of that super simple DIY (so simple I did it in a matter of minutes while my boys were in the tub!) that sparked the idea to this post!
source (with instructions)
This next lamp was given a totally new look for only $7. Sheer fabric was cut into strips, then ruffled on one side then applied to the shade with a glue gun (as well as the trim).
source (with instructions)
This kind of DIY for a lamp shade probably wins as my favorite. For this they used fabric to cover a vintage shade. The great thing about this is there are endless amounts of fabrics to pick from to make it something you truly love, and since you only need a small amount of fabric you can look at more expensive options that maybe you typically wouldn't look it.
source (with instructions)
In this last example of lamp DIY's the shade was painted a bright red. This shade is silk so you have the options of using a paint conditioner (the better option) or water to thin the paint. You can still paint paper shades, but don't use water to thin the paint.
source (with instructions)
I often hear that people score amazing lamps at their local goodwill/salvation army type stores. Unfortunately I have never had luck with this. So if you are in my same boat and want different lamp shades I'd keep an eye out for ones on sale at your usual home stores. Really, all it may take for you to start loving a lamp shade is adding some trim around the edges or by adding some cute handmade flowers!
Have you ever used one of these methods to give a new life to a lamp shade? Or better yet, have you done a DIY that wasn't mentioned here that you can share? I'd love to hear your DIY stories!
