How to Create Artistic Lampshades

Intricate cuts on a lampshade makes a lamp more interesting.

Make your own artistic lampshades using inexpensive materials. Turn an ordinary lampshade into an extraordinary one by adding decorative accessories. Get your creative juices flowing to create one or several artistic lampshades for your home.

Things You'll Need

• Lampshade
• Fabric or paper (approximately 1/2 yard for small lampshade, 1 yard for big lampshade)
• Scissors
• Pencil or chalk
• Decorative trim (ribbons, buttons, lace, beads, feathers, dried or silk flowers, old photos, gift-wrapping paper, leftover wall paper)
• Decorative stamps with stamp pad and ink
• Stencils
• Acrylic paints
• Glue gun or spray adhesive

Instructions

1. Create a pattern for your fabric or paper that you will use to cover your lampshade. Create a large work surface to do the next steps. Mark the top, bottom and bottom of the lampshade with pencil or chalk. Roll the lampshade across the fabric or paper until it has fully rotated. Mark the end of the shade using pencil or chalk.

2. Cut the pattern using a pair of scissors. Leave an extra inch on each side to secure the fabric or paper.

3. Cut small tabs about 1/2 inch in width along the top and bottom part of the paper or fabric, which you will then fold to cover your lampshade.

4. Use glue gun and fold the tab one by one until they are securely folded neatly on the lampshade.

5. Keep this as is or add decorative trims. Add lace, fringes, ribbons, beads, buttons and decorative rope or any embellishments you can think of to adorn your lampshade.

6. Use stamps or stencils to add any design. Draw some swirls or any artistic design using a small paintbrush. Use acrylic paint to add color.

7. Cut out designs from leftover wallpaper or gift wrapping paper and then decoupage them on your lampshade. Use old wine labels to achieve a vineyard inspired by Tuscany.

8. Cover the lampshade with silk or dried flowers. Add these flowers on the borders or all over the lampshade to add more drama.

9. Add raffia or straw on your lampshade to give it a more rustic or country look.

10. Cut out holes of different shapes and designs on your paper lampshades then add heat-resistant plastic of different colors to play off the colors. For a baby's whimsical bedroom, cut out shapes of dragonflies, butterflies and bumblebees.

Tips & Warnings

• Use heat-resistant glue or plastic for your project to avoid fires.