We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Some Ideas for Decorating Lampshades?

By Sheri Cyprus
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 12,292
Share

Decorating lampshades can be a lot of fun as well as a great way to recycle an old lamp into something stylish. You can be as simple or as elaborate as you like when decorating lampshades. Shells, beads, fringe, braid, ribbon, rhinestones and tassels are just some of the things you could use for borders on the tops and/or bottoms of lampshades. Fabric paint and/or fabric can also be used to transform the shade itself. With just a little time, some inexpensive materials and a lot of imagination you can have fun decorating lampshades to suit any room.

Elegant lampshades can be made with a remnant of luxurious material, some beaded fringe and/or rhinestones. Use good quality fabric glue to attach the cloth to the shade. You can use velvet or satin or just about anything as long as you apply the glue carefully so it doesn't show under the fabric. An easy way to make a glamorous shade is to glue a piece of a feather boa as a trim on the bottom part of the lampshade.

For children's rooms, you can paint simple, whimsical designs onto the shade using fabric paint. These could be butterflies, cars or animals depending on the theme of the child's room. When decorating lampshades for children's rooms, you could hot glue novelty erasers onto the bottom or top of the shade for a border. Again, these could be any fun shapes to go with the theme such as a baseball eraser border for a sports-themed child's bedroom.

A beach-themed lampshade may work well for a cottage. You can make a seashell border and maybe stencil on a design such as a starfish or boat. Try decorating lampshades that are similar but in different colors and motifs to coordinate with each room in the cottage.

Simple, traditional shades can be made by gluing solid colored fabric onto the shade and adding a border of braid or ribbon. You can add more interest to this look by adding double rows of trim. Try one row in a different width than the other.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By win199 — On Sep 23, 2010

@lmorales - You can go with a more modern lamp base and a simpler shade. Some times it helps to think in geometrics as well and go with a square shade in white or off white and glue a simple black ribbon around the shape.

A lot of the modern element stems off of flexibility with a few accents that stand out. You could, for example, choose a pricey lampshade and a less expensive base or vice versa with one of those things having an obvious, bright element to it. Tuscan decorating works the same way - with a "safe" base (like a neutral paint) and accent colors.

By lmorales — On Sep 23, 2010

@win199 - How would you incorporate a more modern look with your home decor accents and specifically in decorating lampshades? I love the modern look, but hate the price tag it often carries.

By win199 — On Sep 23, 2010

@Kamchatka - I think a lot of decorating lampshades goes with country home decorating or the shabby chic decorating that everyone is into. I don't think many people realize that you can have modern and contemporary elements as well.

By Kamchatka — On Sep 23, 2010

Decorating a lampshade can be simple and fun. You can do anything from dyeing to stenciling and it can all speak to your attitude. Figuring out how to decorate lampshades according to your standards and decor can be really fun. You should definitely start with the bigger elements in your room, however.

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-some-ideas-for-decorating-lampshades.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.