Upgrade Any Room's Decor On A Budget With A Creative Lampshade DIY

Like white jeans, kitchen cabinets, and flooring, white lampshades accumulate grossness really quickly. While they may have a longer stay-clean time than heavily-used household items, dingy ones call a lot of attention to themselves. There are ways to keep your lampshades clean and dust-free, there comes a point when no amount of touching up will restore your them to a presentable state, even for ones in colors other than white.

Covering them with fabric is a creative way to give your lampshade a fresh, new look. Thin knits like tee-shirt fabrics aren't ideal for this project, since their stretchiness will make it difficult to be glued smoothly onto the shade. Thrifty Instagrammer Sara Teresinski of @redeux_style, had an old lampshade and a ho-hum linen bath curtain. Together, these two underwhelming pieces join forces to become a classy, luxurious lampshade.

The fabric you choose will affect the outcome the most. Just make sure whatever piece you use, whether it be a shower curtain or old sheet, is clean and dry before starting. Then, gather your shabby shade, your fabric, straight pins, a marker, and spray adhesive. Finish it off by choosing trim for the top and bottom edges that you can attach with double-sided fabric tape. 

Start by setting the shade on its side on the fabric. Then, roll it slowly 360 degrees, tracing the edge with a marker as you go. Repeat this for the bottom edge of the shade, and cut carefully along the lines. In a well-ventilated area, spray the adhesive on the back of the fabric piece, and attach it from one edge to the other over the shade. If you're not content with the lay of the fabric, you can reposition it before the glue dries, smoothing out any creases and bubbles.

Measure the perimeter of your lampshade, and cut the lengths of your trim. Then, unroll an adhesive like Plantational's Double-Sided Fabric Tape, and adhere one side of the tape to the trim. Carefully attach it to the edges of the shade as you remove the tape's backing, and cover the fabric's cut edges with the trim. 

There are endless ways to make this project your own. Go vintage with a floral tablecloth, stick with a deeply hued shower curtain for a classic look, or opt for burlap for spaces with rustic decor. Then, pick a trim that either complements or contrasts your fabric choice. You can go with a sleek satin ribbon or a patterned one, or you can even use trim with tassels or pom poms to add texture. When you're done, top your lamp, turn on the bulb, and bask in the light of your creativity!