DIY Lamp Shade

Make a new lampshade and clean up the frame so the lampshade will not show rust. Living in a very humid saltwater environment, and getting new lampshades often it’s not an option.

Note: on the first lampshade I use plastic wrap, then I saw the Stick It Contest and thought I would enter it. The second lampshade I made with aluminum foil as the base, and unfortunately it did not come off as easily as the saran wrap, so I change the directions to using plastic wrap even though the pictures you will see is with aluminum foil.

The materials needed are: about one cup of glue similar to Elmers glue, about 10 or 15 sheets of paper torn to different sizes, gloves, sandpaper, small throwaway brush, a bowl to hold the glue, plastic wrap, metal primer paint, mats or cloth to put down to protect your counter and floor. I like to use white paper as that lets the most light through.

Leaving the lampshade on the lamp, and placing it on a stool, cover the shade in plastic wrap, make sure the outside top and bottom are covered.

1. Tear white pieces of paper into different size strips and rounds.
2. Pour Elmers type glue into a large bowl.
3. Warning, this next step can be very messy. Dip the paper in the glue so both sides are covered and place it over the plastic wrap, covering each spot and overlapping each piece of paper. The glue on the outside dries to a slight sheen.
4. After plastic wrap shade is covered, go back to check if there are any drips or bubbles. Use your fingers to clear them away.
5. Fold the edges over the top and bottom rim.
6. Let it dry overnight.

1. Remove the lampshade from the lamp. If you see some small spots where light shows through, it’s ok, that will be an easy fix later on.
2. Remove the bottom round frame and the top frame with the harp. The harp is affixed to the top frame, and fits down into the slots on the lamp. Lift up the metal slides, and squeeze the harp legs together and it will come out of the lamp frame.
3. Clean and sand the round frames, and paint it with a metal primer, let it dry.

1. Remove the plasic wrap from the inside of the lamp after it is dried
2. Place the harp back on the lamp, and place the new lampshade over the harp.
3. Seeing some holes, I began to make those repairs by placing small bits of paper in the glue and just attaching it to the shade again. It was very easy to make repairs.
4. The next step is making the shade solid. With no frame, it is very pliable.. don’t worry. Place the shade on top of the wire frame over the harp.
5. Measure the double fold bias tape for the top rim and cut it at an angle.
6. Open it and spread glue throughout the top two sides.
7. Holding open the two flaps that have been slathered with glue, place the bias tape on the top of the wire rim with one side on the outside and one side on the inside. Make sure the folded seam is at the top. Squeeze the tape together so that it forms a bond with the shade. Add more glue if needed
8. Let it dry for about 2 hours.
9. For the bottom rim, remove the shade from the lamp and turn it upside down.
10. Place the rim inside the shade and then begin to fold over the bottom edges. It should fit in the same space where it was as the paper and glue dried. Bend over the edges to hold the frame. Place another layer of glue and paper around the inside of the rim. Turn it back over and place the shade on the lamp and you have a new lampshade for the cost of next to nothing!