Make A Beautiful Pleated Lampshade With A Simple Hot Glue DIY

Lamps are an essential element of any well-designed space, and pleated lampshades have made a comeback to help the humble lamp set just the right vibe. This easy DIY will guide you to create a custom pleated shade that perfectly compliments your space — and all it takes is some hot glue, an old lampshade or frame, and a fabric that you love. Personalize it to your style with unique-to-you fabric or trim, or a stylish combination of both.

It's no secret that lampshades can be expensive, and hunting one down in just the right size, color, and material in thrift stores or online can border on the impossible — particularly if you want a matching set. The reason pleated shades specifically, are often rather costly, is because the pleating process can be time-consuming, and often requires a skilled craftsperson. However, there are lots of creative ways to give an old lampshade a fresh new look. You can mimic the trendy design yourself by creating pleats with fabric folds or strips, and a hot glue gun. Start by choosing a fabric that suits your style and allows for the level of light diffusion you're looking for. Steer clear of slippery materials like satin, or very heavy weight fabrics as they can make the pleating process more difficult. Once you've got your materials, you're ready to DIY a lampshade you can make without any sewing skills.

There are a couple of ways to approach this project. The first one uses folds to created the pleated look. Start by cutting your fabric to the height of your shade, plus a couple of inches. Then run a line of glue down the front edge of your fabric and attach it to the shade. Next, you'll create a pleat by folding the fabric, and then gluing the fold down at just the top and bottom edges of the shade. Repeat this process all the way around until you're back where you started. Now you'll cut the fabric down to the edges of the shade, and finish with a trim piece. This is where you can get creative and customize your project. Use a beautiful cording material, beads, or fringe to add an elegant, custom touch.

Another option is to simply glue down full strips of folded fabric. First, cut pieces of bias tape into strips that will cover your lampshade from the top edge to the bottom, then cut pieces of fabric that are a little wider, and the same length. Run a line of glue down the middle of the bias strip, and fold the edges of your chosen fabric over the strip. Begin applying the strips to the lampshade, one overlapping the other all the way around. Finish with a couple more strips of fabric covered bias tape to create your trim pieces. Or, add your own decorative touches like lace or rick rack to create a radiant design for a budget-friendly DIY table lamp.