DIY Lamp Makeover

Lamp-DIY
This is the story of a pretty easy lamp makeover and a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad DIY lampshade. Many people might start with the lamp, but I actually began the other way around. I found this wastebasket at the dollar store and thought it would be pretty easy to make it into a lampshade.

Boy was I wrong! But we’ll get to that in a little bit. Here is what the lamp originally looked like.

Lamp-Redo

Definitely not the best looking lamp, but I could see that it had potential. I liked the “layered” look of it, and could definitely see it becoming a gray and yellow lamp to match our bedroom. The lampshade had some rips and tears and stains, but I was just going to throw it out, so it was okay.

I used spray paint and painter’s tape to spray paint the different “layers” gray and yellow. I thought this would be the hard part until I started making the lampshade. Whew. I wish I had taken some pictures of the “DIY lamp shade” process, but I was so frustrated (and embarrassed) by how it looked that I almost threw out the whole thing.

Basically, I cut out the bottom of the wastebasket minus one strip going across (to keep it on the lamp). I then trimmed the bottom off to make it the right size for the lamp. I bought some yellow fabric and mod podged it to the wastebasket. But you could still see the wire of the wastebasket through the fabric! So I added another layer, and then another layer. But you could still see the wire. And the yellow of the fabric didn’t match the yellow on the lamp. I tried spray painting the fabric, but that didn’t work either. The mod podge made the paint come out patchy.

I let the lampshade sit for a good three or four weeks. I just didn’t know what to do with it. Finally, I thought about using acrylic paint. Because when one paint fails, try another. I painted a few coats on, and in the end I think it turned out pretty good. I guess sometimes the best DIY projects are the ones that are the biggest pains in the butt.

Lamp-Makeover

27 Comments on DIY Lamp Makeover

  2. meandmr.com
    at (12 years ago)

    Newest follower here! I found you through the blog hop. Cute blog, I can’t wait to read more.
    -Melanie @meandmr.com

    Reply
  3. Emily
    at (12 years ago)

    Love the colors of grey and yellow. I agree about the wastepaper basket, but just out of curiosity, I wonder how one of the baskets would look with no fabric… probably they wouldn’t shade enough, but that would be an interesting look.

    Reply
  4. simplisticchaos
    at (12 years ago)

    I love how it ended up. I had so many issues with my ikea table project that I almost gave up. 🙂

    karla @ Simplistic Chaos

    Reply
  5. Micki Sellers
    at (12 years ago)

    I absolutely adore the shape of the lamp. It is so much fun. Yellow and grey are a great combination. I might try the wastebasket lampshade again if I were you. It was potential. Spray paint it yellow or grey and put on some gauzy/almost sheer fabric on it in a silver or white. Let the structure and color of the wastebasket shine through giving it more character. I’d love for you to share this (and any other projects you have) at my link party http://www.addhousewife.com/2013/01/its-pininspiration-2013.html

    Reply
  7. the cape on the corner
    at (12 years ago)

    i love that you saw past the original state (it’s super hard for me to do) and painted it this two tone. that’s my favorite part!

    Reply
  8. Ali @craftyWImama
    at (12 years ago)

    I agree with Emily!!! Maybe if you could find a waste basket with very small holes (do they make those?) Or maybe add paper to the inside? To add some shade?

    I love the base of it, the yellow and gray layered look totally rocks. Great work!

    Reply
  11. Danielle
    at (12 years ago)

    Hopped over from Ladybird Ln… Love the colors! =) I’m a new follower… Happy weekend!

    Danielle
    sewmuchcrafting.com

    Reply
  12. Artsy VaVa
    at (12 years ago)

    Great transformation! I love the gray & yellow.

    Reply
  13. Jodi S
    at (12 years ago)

    i love these colors!! stopping by from shine on fridays

    Reply
  15. Stephanie Michaels
    at (12 years ago)

    Love the yellow and grey thanks for sharing on Super Sweet Saturday.
    Steph
    swtboutique.com

    Reply
  16. Amanda
    at (12 years ago)

    I always love yellow and gray together! Fun project.

    Reply
  17. Jocie@TheBetterHalf
    at (12 years ago)

    I love the base Sarah and got a good laugh out of the lampshade! lol! thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  19. Lenetta Carnes
    at (12 years ago)

    Hi, Great post. I found you through the blog hop. Now following you.Please stop by and say hi when you get a chance.
    Be sure and check out my new Blog Hop that we just started, It’s Weekly Goals Link Up. It’s a great way to stay on track. Have a great day. 🙂 Here’s the link in case you want to check it out. Thanks again.http://lenettacarnes.blogspot.com/2013/01/weekly-goals-linkup-html

    Reply
  22. Kathy Moody
    at (12 years ago)

    What a great makeover! I love the colors you chose. It looks fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent this week! I hope you have a wonderful week. 🙂

    Kathy

    Reply
  23. Christine
    at (12 years ago)

    WOW Sarah!! This is AMAZING!

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality! Can’t wait to see what you link up this evening!

    Reply
  26. Jennifer
    at (12 years ago)

    It’s a new Linky Party to create more buzz for your blog and connect with others! If you haven’t joined Creative Crafts Thursday yet, please share your projects at http://www.creativecraftsthursday.blogspot.com each and every week and check out what other creative divas are up to.

    Reply
  27. Megan
    at (12 years ago)

    This is such a good idea!! I LOVE how it turned out!! Great job! 🙂

    Reply

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