This post shows you ideas for how to update a lamp. There are 6 total ideas in this post with 10 examples! Mostly having to do with various lampshade updates. However, Idea #2 is an easy DIY lampshade. And Idea #5 is an easy way to totally update a straight lamp base with leather.
Lamps are not only the best way to create a cozy mood. Lamps can portray your style as a decorative element in the room. However, lamps can easily go in and out of style. So, we’re addressing how to update a lamp that you already you have. Or perhaps this will inspire you to bring home that odd lamp that you find on your next thrifting adventure 🙂
Right now, I’m into drum shades. They mix well in a variety of home decor styles. And they feel contemporary to me. I found this big drum-style lamp shade at IKEA (17” diameter by 12.75” high). It only came in 2 colors: black or white. Even so, the wrong color has never stopped me.
I painted it with my favorite shimmery, champagne paint. Afterward, I glued crystal rhinestones throughout the body of the shade. And attached rhinestone trim along the top and bottom edges. Here’s a close up.
1. How to Update a Lamp | Floor Lamp #1
I used my freshly painted and bedazzled lamp shade to update this outdated floor lamp! This floor lamp has a nice heavy base. It has been in my family for a long time and I just wasn’t ready to part with it. I believe it’s a Southern thing to be hard-headed about what we like in our decor.
Keeping the original floor lamp base with an updated drum shade is an easy idea for how to update a lamp. And this update allows me to move forward with my modern twist on old world.
2. How to Update a Lamp | Floor Lamp #2
Below is another floor lamp (I have a matching pair). Definitely from an old world era. But I still love the curves and details in the base. So ideas for how to update a lamp with curves and details started to emerge. What if keep the base and just update the shade to a drum-style? (Similar to the floor lamp above.) However, you’ll see in the next photo that I didn’t even take off the glass.
This outdated glass shade is 6.5″ high with an 18” diameter. This is a more difficult size to find for a drum shade. And what few I saw were plain white linen. This got me to thinking about how I might be able to DIY odd-size shades for these floor lamps.
I found 18” wooden embroidery hoops. Embroidery hoops usually come with two parts. I only used the inside part (the part without the adjusting screw.)
The circumference of an 18” diameter circle is about 56.5″ (I cheated with Google). I cut some poster board into 7” x 24” strips and taped some pieces together to get a long strip that was 7” x 57”. I also cut some matte gold sequin fabric into a long piece that was 9″ x 58″
Using spray adhesive on the poster board; I attached the sequin fabric to the poster board. And I folded 1″ of the sequin fabric over the top and bottom edges of the poster board.
Then I glued the top edge of the sequin-covered poster board flush with the top edge of the embroidery ring. This naturally created a shade as I made it around the embroidery ring. I had a slight overlap in the back. I used clear strong tape over the seam on the inside of the shade.
In the following photo you can see the wooded embroidery ring is just sitting on the glass shade.
Lastly, I divided the perimeter equally by 9. This told me how far apart to punch small holes so I could attach glass bead chains. I love sparkly details! Here’s the finished lamp.
3. How to Update a Lamp | Change the Lamp Base
Most of the time, it’s the lampshades that are the problem. However, in this example below, I really like these lampshades because they have a beautiful organic pattern when the light is on. But the wrought iron base had to go.
So I replaced the wrought iron base with a more contemporary gold lamp base. I also cut off the beads at the bottom of the lampshade. Added a crystal lamp finial and crystal teardrops. Because more is just MORE at my house 🙂
4. How to Update a Lamp | Just Use Paint on the Lampshade
Here’s an example of a lampshade that is not contemporary at all but it’s totally me. I love the raised pattern, the shape and the gathered trim.
And I’ve used shimmery paint on many occasions to answer the question of how to update a lamp. Here it is before shimmery paint.
And here it is after paint. I simply used a paint brush. It’s a custom color with a mix of 3 different colors – so I can’t tell you exactly how I achieved this pinkish raspberry color. But I enjoy playing like a mad scientist to make custom colors.
5. How to Update a Lamp | Cover the Lamp Base with Leather
I’ve been on a green kick this past year. It’s become my “pop of color” in various rooms. I was inspired by these green Safavieh lamps.
Then I remembered I inherited some lamps with a similar shape. And I had faux crocodile leather. (Sorry I didn’t take true BEFORE pics.) But the non-marble parts were boring dark brown.
Here they are after I sprayed them with hammered metal spray paint.
After the hammered metal paint fully dried, I taped off those parts. That way I could use spray adhesive on the marble parts.
I cut the leather to size (so the back seam would not overlap). Then I painted the faux leather with green metallic craft paint. Once the leather pieces were dry, I sprayed the marble on the lamps with adhesive and attached the painted leather pieces.
These upcycled lamps are now in our bedroom!
6. How to Update a Lamp | Cover the Lampshade with Interesting Fabric
I believe my “thing for lamps” came from my beloved Mom. (Rest in beautiful peace Mom!). She had sooooo many lamps. Which then became my lamps, lol.
Mom also loved fancy fabrics. She could not own a plain lampshade. All her lampshades had to be “special”. So I got pretty good at finding interesting fabrics and recovering her lampshades.
Here are a few examples of how to update a lamp with interesting fabric. In each case, I covered over the existing lampshade without removing the original stiff material. I simply used hot glue around the inside top and inside bottom edges. I also made sure to put the seam in the back.
Flip sequin fabric (below)
Soutache embroidered fabric (2 different colors) This fabric has a sheer net that allows the original color of the shade to show through.
Venise lace (below) If you find a fabric or lace with a pretty scalloped edge, that edge can look nice around the bottom of your lampshade. In this example, I placed the scalloped edge of the lace even with the bottom edge of the original shade.
Embroidered lace with sequins (below) In this example, I allowed the scalloped edge of the lace to hang past the bottom edge of the shade. The original shade is a blush pink. The lace is on a beige netting so the original blush color shows through.
Between my lamps and those I inherited from Mom, I don’t think I have a single lamp that has not been modified in some way 🙂
Materials Used
1. How to Update a Lamp | Floor Lamp #1
Rhinestone trim (1 yard of 4 styles)
DecoArt Elegant Finish Champagne Gold Metallic Paint (DA202)
2. How to Update a Lamp | Floor Lamp #2
Embroidery hoop (a quick search on Amazon for whatever size you might need)
Poster board
Matte gold sequin fabric
3. How to Update a Lamp | Change the Lamp Base
Crystal glass chandelier teardrops
4. How to Update a Lamp | Just Use Paint on the Lampshade
Various metallic craft paints
Any paintbrush for acrylic paints
5. How to Update a Lamp | Cover the Lamp Base with Leather
Faux crocodile leather by the yard
Metallic craft paint
6. How to Update a Lamp | Cover the Lampshade with Interesting Fabric
Various sequin and lace fabrics
Maple leaf glass crystals (NOTE: please READ the descriptions. Many are acrylic crystals. Acrylic does not refract light the way glass crystals do.) (The ones I purchased are no longer available. These are less expensive and it says “glass” but I have not tried them. However, they offer free returns so I think these are worth taking a gamble 🙂
Tools Used
Gingher 8” Knife-Edge Scissors
Take Away
Whatever your style, lamps and lampshades can be as unique as you are. Classic, funky or somewhere in between. Either way, lamps and lampshades are a simple way to show your style without having to break the bank.
And if you haven’t done much in the way of DIY, thrifted lamps are a great place to start. That way there’s not much guilt if your final result is not as expected 😊
Here’s to updating and Making it Fabulous!
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