How to Makeover a Lamp…
So you want some updated lighting in your space but you’re on a budget… we’ve got the perfect solution! Take those outdated lamps and give them a mini makeover! We’re going to tell you what lamps are good contenders, how to give them a facelift, and what to do with lamp shades once they’re ready! Let me tell you, I’ve saved soooo many lamps from getting tossed by repainting them and adding a new lampshade, I’m like the Avengers for lamps! Want to save yours? Great, let’s get started with some lamp DIY!
Picking the “Right” Shape…
Okay, so you’ve got a few lamps lying around that you loved, now you hate, and you’re wondering if you could love them again… To save a lamp you need to know your style to know what shape will work for a rehab project. If you’re traditional or shabby chic pretty much any lamp can be made-over and it will work with your design aesthetic.
If you’re more modern this is where being particular counts. Modern tends towards clean lines so those candlestick, curvy lamps aren’t going to work unless they’re pretty streamlined. The less intricate the better. Modern also tends to play with scale, so if you have a large lamp that’s pretty simply shaped chances are it can work!
Color is Everything…
Okay you’ve checked the shape of your lamp and you’ve decided it can work with your space. Great! Next step… decide the color you want to paint it! Remember we don’t want this makeover to look DIY, so color is important! As a designer I tend to prefer neutrals for lamps like white, black, gold, or silver. Why? Because those are modern colors for lamps and makes them look updated! Look around the room you want the lamp to be in and decide what color would work best in the space. Need help deciding?? Some questions to ask are…
Do I want my lamp to make a statement?
Is there a color I’m trying to bring into the room?
Am I going for high contrast or low contrast?
Lamps can be a statement piece or they can blend in with the rest of the furniture. What would you prefer? If you want a statement piece go with a color that’s not expected or adds contrast to the room.
Is there a color you’re trying to bring into the room? Let’s say you have hints of gold around the room but you’d like a little more. Paint your lamp gold! It makes gold more of an accent color in the space and can tie it in with the rest of your room. Talk about a makeover!
Are you going for high contrast or low contrast? Do you want a creamy white neutral space or do you like some black/dark mixed in? If you want light and neutral go with white, if you want some contrast try black. It’ll be modern and give your room some wonderful depth!
The Nitty Gritty…
You’ve chosen the lamp, the color, and now you’re ready to paint that sucker! Great! You’ll need two cans of spray paint, one primer and one of your chosen color. You’ll also need some painters tape to wrap the power chord and any parts you want to keep as is (like the finial or metal towards the top).
Find a space outside, put down a sheet, wrap the things you don’t want to paint in the tape, and get your primer ready. Thin layers are best when priming and painting! I’ve included a video to show you how to spray paint your lamp, I need a complete visual for my DIY’s so here’s one for you!
Get “Shady” With It…
Design Tip: When picking a shade for your lamp make sure that the finial attachment matches the shade attachment!
Great job! You’ve spray painted your lamp to perfection, you’re a DIY pro! Right about now you’re thinking, dang, I should have done this years ago! Easier than you thought, right? Okay, now that your base looks great we’ve got to find the perfect shade to complete this makeover! The best piece of advice I can give you is to keep it simple when picking a shade. You can’t go wrong with a white drum shade! White keeps the palette neutral and the drum shape is modern, PERFECT!
If you want to go for a different color remember that it’s important to remember what’s already in the room that the lamp will go in. Maybe a cream shade would go better, OR if you want dramatic maybe a black shade?! As for shape, if you’re not super into the drum shape maybe go with something that’s a bit more structured like a rectangular shape?! The skies the limit!
Design Tip: Be sure to measure your lamp and your lamp shade. The lamp shade should be wider than the lamp. If you have a larger lamp you’ll need a wider lamp shade to balance it out. If you have a candlestick like lamp you can do a small shade.
You’re Done, It’s “Lit”!
Wow, your lamp looks amazing! You picked the perfect shade and color; it looks phenomenal in your room! This is the type of DIY project that doesn’t look DIY at all! No one would know unless you told them! Now sit back, relax, and enjoy that beautiful “new” lamp!
P.S. Loved this makeover? Want some more amazing DIY ideas? Click here for some of our favorite Designer DIY’s!
Can lamp shades be painted