Customize A One-Of-A-Kind Lampshade On A Budget For The Book Lover In Your Life

Getting lost in a good book is one of the most rewarding feelings, and for those who adore reading, there is nothing quite like the feel of a page beneath your fingertips. If you have a big reader (or readers) in your life, you can gift them a completely customizable and one-of-a-kind piece. There are many things you can do with old book pages, and while creating a lampshade made of book pages might sound tricky, this DIY project can be easy and will leave the book lovers in your life speechless. The best part is that you can use old books that might be otherwise destined for the recycle or throwaway pile, making this gift a sustainable option, too.

Anyone who loves to read thinks of the pages of a book as a comfort or a friend: something tangible that holds endless opportunities and experiences. Readers don't just see words printed on paper: they see a magical kingdom far, far away, or a mysterious world where time machines and wizards abound. It might sound almost ghastly at first to picture tearing up a book to use as a lampshade, but there are plenty of places to source older books from that would otherwise go untouched and unread — and that would be the real travesty, in the end.

In order to create this captivating lampshade, you'll first want to collect your supplies. Depending on what you already have at home, these include a lampshade, Mod Podge, a book or pages from a book you can rip and cut, and some paint brushes. If you have a lamp that you've been meaning to repurpose, you can use the existing shade. Or you might have a fixture that needs a new shade, in which case you can snag one from stores like IKEA or Target. Make sure to measure your base and look for a lampshade that is the right size for your lamp.

A new lampshade can cost between $10 and $20, which will be the priciest part of this project if you buy a new one. Mod Podge and paintbrushes can be found for less than $5 and used books range in price from $1 to $20 depending on the title. Once you're ready to decorate the shade, apply a layer of the Mod Podge directly to the surface. It might work better to only apply the adhesive to an area you will immediately place a page on to ensure optimum stick. Go around the entire lampshade, applying Mod Podge with your paintbrush then a page, making sure to flatten the paper as much as possible and push out any bubbles or wrinkles.

You can either place whole pages on the lamp then cut pieces that overhang, or rip them up to produce a more shabby chic effect. The book pages probably won't all lay completely flat, but the finish should look vintage and distressed so don't worry too much about a piece that sticks up or features texture. Once your page is flat against the shade, cover it with more Mod Podge. This will hold it in place and give it an antique and kitschy finish. You can layer pages to overlap or try to feature entire entries, and if you prefer not to cut too close to the lamp lip, you can trim the paper and fold it under to hide it. Poetry, illustrated pages, and the first pages of a chapter are all engaging and unique, creating more depth alongside full pages of text.

You can either use one of your favorite books or choose a favorite of the person you're gifting the lamp to. Goodwill and secondhand stores are great places to find books that can be upcycled for this DIY project or find older copies that might show some wear and tear and won't be missed too dearly. The most incredible part of this creation is that it will give a book a second life, allowing it to be enjoyed in a new way by those people who lived in its binding when they read it.