Galaxy Inspired Floor Lamp Makeover

by Vikalpah in Living > Decorating

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Galaxy Inspired Floor Lamp Makeover

floor lamp with tray makeover.jpg

While we were in the process of hunting for furnitures, we scored a floor lamp for $5 in a garage sale. The lamp was in perfect condition but the metal parts and glass tray in the middle had a lot of scratches and worn out. These kind of lamps retail for $100 to $250. I was sure I can give this floor lamp a new look by spending way less money than the retail price. Let's see how I did.

​Materials Used

  • Spray Paint - Metallic copper & Black
  • Galaxy printed fabric
  • Glass etching Cream
  • Star Adhesive Stencil
  • Black acrylic paint
  • Hot glue gun
  • Scissors

Dissembling the Lamp

antique floor lamp with tray.jpg
worn out paint.jpg
BROKEN LAMP SHADE.jpg
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Whenever you do a makeover that has a lot of assembling, do take some close up shots of how the parts were assembled before you dissemble them. It will be a lot easier when you are reassembling. As a first step, I disassembled the whole lamp and laid the metal pieces in a drop cloth ready for spray painting.

Spray Painting the Parts

all parts apray painted.jpg

Except one part, all the other parts were scratchy so I thought there is no need for a primer or sanding and I spray painted directly on the metal parts. In one of the metal part which had smooth finish on one side, the spray paint came off like a sticker. So I sanded that part a bit and spray painted again. Lesson learnt!!

Spray Painting and Etching the Glass Tray

spray painted black.jpg
glass etching .jpg
glass etching after.jpg
floor lamp tray after etchinh.jpg

I decided to spray paint the glass tray black on one side as I did not like the look of a plain glass in the middle of the lamp. Also made some star stencil with my silhouette machine and etched stars on the other side to match the theme. I did mess up a little bit while etching the stars but it is not very noticeable unless I point out. ;) Can you guess ?

Painting the Inside of the Lamp Shade and Preparing the Fabric for the Lamp Shade

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roll the lamp shade and trace the outline.jpg

Last thing to tackle is the lamp shade. It was in a beige color with a some kind of plastic on the top. I removed the plastic so that I got a plain shade to work with. I painted the inside black and allowed it to dry.

When we(Me and my husband) went to select the fabric for lamp shade, I did not have any idea to select galaxy printed fabric because I did not know that this existed. I was imagining some kind of patterned black and white fabric in my mind when I went to the fabric store.My hubby spotted this galaxy print and suggested it for the lamp shade. Even though I like space, geography and all those kind of stuff, I wasn't okay with it at first sight.After thinking a lot whether it would work or not, I finally said okay and came home to continue on the makeover.

To cover the lamp shade, I just rolled the shade over the fabric and marked the edges with white crayon one side at a time. Repeated the same for other side.Cut the fabric with one inch seam allowance on all sides.

Draping and Securing the Fabric on the Lamp Shade

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use binder clips to secure.jpg
stitched the lamp shade.jpg
binder clips to secure.jpg
fold the seams and glue.jpg
Outer rim .jpg
how to update a lamp shade.jpg

Then draped the fabric over the lamp shade and pinned the sides with straight pins. Made a stitch to secure the sides and draped the fabric back on to the shade. Used binder clip to prevent the fabric from moving on the top and hot glued the base by folding edges of the fabric inside for a cleaner look.Repeated the same for the top. The lamp shade is complete. Assembled all the parts together to complete the makeover.No regrets at all. I would have missed creating a masterpiece like this if I had said "No" and settled for the normal patterned fabric. I seriously love love love how this turned out and especially the night look is totally stunning.What do you think??

The Final Look

FLOOR LAMP MAKEOVER.jpg
galaxy floor lamp makeover.jpg
how to do lamp makeover.jpg
glass etching stars.jpg
galaxy lamp shade at night.jpg

Hope you like how this turned out. If so, please vote for me in the "Space Contest".If you did this makeover, what would you have done differently? Share with me in the comments below.