The Easy Way To DIY A Boho Raffia Lampshade

Anyone can walk into a store and buy a premade, often pricey raffia lampshade. But these days, people are finding creative ways to add a some oomph to their homes with crafty projects that don't take a bite out of their bank accounts. DIYing a raffia lampshade is a quick, easy, and affordable way to incorporate this decor style that falls somewhere between boho and tropical. It can say, "I didn't grow up in the '70s, but my home interior looks like I did." To complete this DIY, you'll tape wax paper to a bowl, wrap raffia covered in Mod Podge around it, let it dry, and attach hanging light hardware.

Raffia is a straw-like material made from dried palm leaves. It's strong and durable, which is why it's a popular pick for DIY crafts like baskets, bird nest terrariums, wreaths, handbags, and hats. When raffia is intermixed into home decor, its woven texture and natural hue adds warmth and a laid back bohemian vibe. It typically comes in neutral tones like beige and ivory, but also comes in bolder shades as well. However, although a sustainable, eco-friendly option, opinions are mixed as to how flammable raffia actually is. When picking out raffia, look for a natural type and steer clear of paper raffia, which is prone to catching fire and isn't as environmentally friendly. To be on the safe side, also use some type of LED lightbulb since they stay cooler than traditional lightbulbs. 

There are a couple of ways you can make a DIY raffia lampshade. The process and materials will work for designing any lampshade type and shape. If you already have the shade and just want to spice it up, the first option is to add the raffia directly to it. On the other hand, if you don't have one and prefer to create a DIY pendant-style lampshade, you'll need to gather a few materials you probably already have, including a mixing bowl, wax paper, packing tape, scissors, and disposable gloves (optional). The items you might not have readily available are a roll of raffia (under $5 on Etsy) and Mod Podge (about $8 at Amazon). Mod Podge is an inexpensive, all-in-one glue and sealer that comes in matte, glossy, and satin transparent finishes. It can be used for a variety of DIYs, from creative home decoupage projects to repurposing old magazines. 

Since raffia can be dyed, it comes in a rainbow of different colors, so the options are limitless. Pick the color that works best for the room where your pendant lampshade will hang. When you don't have a specific lamp base in mind for your new lampshade, one option is to buy a hemp rope hanging pendant light kit cord ($13 at Amazon). It matches the boho vibe of the shade and plugs into your wall. All you would do is hang it from your ceiling and add a lightbulb, no electrician required.

To make your lampshade, first decide the size you want and grab the mixing bowl that's closest to that size, then wrap it in wax paper, taping it onto the bowl. Grab the roll of raffia and Mod Podge and start wrapping the raffia horizontally around the base of the bowl. There are no rules for where to place the raffia around the bowl, so make it as messy or as perfectly placed as you want. As you're going along, drench the raffia with Mod Podge so it sticks to the raffia and wax paper. Once you've completely wrapped the bowl, snip off the end and tuck it under the raffia. Blend any loose ends by hiding them under another piece of raffia.

The very top of the shade is harder to continue wrapping, so you'll want to cut some raffia pieces off and strategically glue them around the top to fill in those gaps, making sure to leave a space for the pendant ceiling cord to go through. Mod Podge dries relatively quick, but it's recommended to let your lampshade sit at least overnight or for up to 72 hours after you've finished. Once the lampshade has had sufficient time to dry, peel the packing tape away from inside the bowl to remove the wax paper. Then, gently remove the wax paper from the shade. Finally, it's time to revel in your DIY skills and show off your new raffia lampshade.