If you want to add some interest to your decor, try one of these DIY lampshade ideas! These projects are easy enough for beginners.

I have an obsession with lamps. It’s always been that when since I first moved into my own apartment and started buying and making my own home decor.
I’ve got quite a few lamps, and I learned something over the course of my purchases. There IS such a thing as too many lamps.
There are only so many ways and in so many rooms that you can light your home. So, sometimes you have to get a little creative.
You might want to buy a new lamp, but you might also want to re-do one in your collection. And you don’t even have to change the base to get a totally new look.
And that’s why I’m excited to share these DIY lampshade ideas!
A perfectly acceptable way to makeover a lamp is by adding a new lampshade. Or re-doing the lampshade. Either way, I’ve got tons of options that you’re going to love. I made a list of over 40 below!
Note: my favorite places to buy lampshades are IKEA and Target. I find the best shades there! You can also try thrift stores. If you have a suggested place, leave it in the comments for everyone to see. 🙂
Now scroll down to get all the lampshade ideas. Enjoy! Let me know what you think in the comments.
DIY Lampshade Ideas
You're going to love these lamp shade DIY projects! There are great ideas for all rooms in your home, and range from using brand new shades to reusing something.
How to Cover a Lampshade
Learn how to cover a plain lampshade with fabric and Mod Podge! This is such an easy home decor project.
Whimsical Mod Podge Paper
This DIY paper lamp shade is an easy-to-do decoupage project involving cut black paper and your favorite shapes. Get the tutorial here!
How to Make a Doily Lamp
Learn how to make a pendant lamp using doilies and Mod Podge or glue! This is SO easy . . . there are a few steps, but you're going to use a balloon as a mold.
DIY Floral Lampshade
This fabric lampshade is a breeze to make without having to use a sewing machine! Instead of using entire pieces to cover the lampshade, you're going to use fabric strips.
T-Shirt Lampshades
Do you have a favorite t-shirt that you adore, but don't wear? Learn how to make a lampshade out of your beloved shirt using this DIY lampshade idea.
Covering Pendant Lampshades
I love using book pages on all types of surfaces! That includes a lampshade. Learn how the girls decorated plain white shades from IKEA. You can use Mod Podge or spray adhesive.
DIY Pom Pom Lampshade
Grab your hot glue gun and some pom poms, because you're going to decorate a lampshade! Trish is so smart, she even covered the inside of the shade.
DIY Lampshade Upcycle
There was a print on the bottom of this lampshade that Angela wanted to cover up . . . so she did it with fabric! If you'd like to revamp a shade, consider this cute idea.
Sweater Covered
Transform an old sweater into a cute, winter-y table lamp. This is a great upcycle project and it's done in minutes.
Fruit Bowl Lamp
Must all lampshade ideas involve fabric . . . or an actual shade? I suppose not! Instead of thinking about your project traditionally, maybe you can turn something else into the shade. Something like a fruit bowl!
DIY Photo Lamp
If you're short on wall space, you might want to look for other surfaces on which to display pictures. This DIY lampshade is the perfect place! It's way easier to make than you might think. See more photo crafts.
Mid Century Inspired
This lampshade is decoupaged with some cute paper cut outs, but I also really love the birch wood trim that Ashlee applied. It gives this shade the perfect 60s or 70s vibes.
Wrapped Yarn
What an interesting way to turn a pair of metal lampshades into a work of art! I love that this particular craft turns your lamp into something that provides ambiance and style.
IKEA Map Lampshade
Turn a plain drum lampshade into something more stylish with this IKEA lamp hack using maps. Use your favorite maps and have a different one for each room.
DIY Rattan Style Lamp Upcycle
Make your own rattan style lamp as an upcycle or grab a lamp kit! This DIY came in at $40 - a fraction of the cost of designer versions.
Shabby Chic Rosettes
You'll need several yards of gauze to make the mini rosettes on this shade. Jennifer made this for her living room, but you can customize it to go with any room in your home!
How to Stencil a Lampshade
Lampshades are some of the easiest accessories in your home to customize on-the-cheap! Beth took a previously altered lampshade and stenciled it with paint. You can too!
Paint an Artist’s Palette-Inspired Floral Lampshade
In this post, Jennifer show you how to paint an artist’s palette-inspired floral lampshade for a really pretty, room accent inspired by impressionistic and watercolor trends.
Jute Yarn Lampshade Makeover
Try this Japandi-inspired DIY lampshade makeover made with jute yarn! Nice because you can remove it and do something else when you're changing your decor.
How to Create a DIY Metal Shade
Learn how to create a DIY metal lampshade using a sheet of metal and two embroidery hoops! If you've ever wanted to make a shade from scratch, this is a great project to get you started.
Sewing Pattern Lampshade
There was a time that I decoupaged a box with sewing patterns, so I was really excited to see this lamp! Using a sewing pattern on a shade is perfect because the light shines through so nicely.
West Elm Inspired Globe Pendant Lamp
Jessica was inspired by a globe pendant she saw at West Elm, and decided to make her own version! I love how simple it is and the pattern pattern of the light.
DIY Chandelier From Wood Beads
Is a chandelier a light shade? I say it is! Wood bead chandeliers are so popular and they are STUNNING, but they can be expensive. Learn how to make a DIY chandelier for a fraction of the price!
Easy Crocheted Lampshade
I love that a metal lampshade frame becomes the base of a crocheted shade! This is so pretty, and I love the texture that the yarn provides.
Faux Florals
Using faux florals to cover a lampshade is something I would picture to be somewhat overwhelming. Turns out I'm completely wrong and it's beautiful! I love these two unique lampshades.
Decoupage Lampshade
Learn how to decoupage a lampshade with vintage themed magazine pages! This is such an easy project with a cool effect.
Upcycled Burlap Lamp Shade
Here's an upcycling DIY lampshade makeover with burlap! It's perfectly simple and looks great with a colorful lamp base.
Capiz Pendant Lamp
It's hard to believe that something so pretty is made from waxed paper! This is one of those DIY lampshade ideas that takes some time, but the results are worth it. Put this shade over an existing fixture.
Beaded Shade
This is a conversation piece for sure! It also lets off the coolest glow from top to bottom when it's completely lit up.
Make a Stylish DIY Zip Tie Lamp Shade
I know the words "stylish" and "zip tie" don't often go together, but in the case of this DIY lamp shade I think they work mighty fine. This shade turned out very cool, and I guarantee you'll get comments!
DIY Ribbon Lampshade
You can personalize lots of basic home accessories with ribbon, and that includes lampshades! Turn a no-frills drum lampshade into an attention-getter with woven satin ribbons.
Vintage Engraving Inspired Lampshade
If you love vintage wood engraving pictures as much as I do, this DIY could be interesting for you. With a very simple transfer technique you can make an individual sticker from your favorite motif. Then place it inside an IKEA lampshade for instant home decor.
DIY Colorful Painted Lamp Shade
Give an old lampshade a completely new look with minimal cost at all. Grab some acrylic paint and learn how to make a whimsical pattern.
Tweet Lampshade
Bethany was inspired by an expensive lampshade she saw, and I love how creative she got! This is definitely an interesting fixture that will get compliments. Perfect for a kids' room or nursery.
Metal Basket Shade
I love it when people get really creative with their DIY lamp shades - including making them from trash cans! Once you cut the opening, the rest is easy.
Map Themed
Learn how to build a lamp of your very own by following this simple tutorial - use maps from your fave places to decorate the shade.
Gold Leafed Drum Shade
If you love glam or want something a little bit more shi-shi in your decor, this is a great lampshade option! You'll paint the outside with black and cover the inside in gold leaf.
Halloween Inspired Lampshades
Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year! These lampshades are vintage holiday inspired, and I absolutely love the trim. So cute!
Oyster Shells
Use discarded oyster shells and an upcycled metal frame to create a stunning DIY oyster shell lampshade. Get a splash of coastal decor with this shell decor.
DIY Twig Lamp Shade
Get a step by step on how to make a DIY twig lamp shade. It's such an easy project, and looks great with nature or vintage inspired decor.
DIY Papercut Lamp
These papercute lampshades were Inspired by Dutch artist Tord Boontje! I'm not sure who that is, but his lampshades are cool. There's a video tutorial to learn how to make them.
Did you enjoy these DIY lampshade projects? I would love for you to check out these other ideas:
- Decorate Candle Holders with These Genius Ideas
- 20+ Coffee Bar Signs to Make for Your Home
- Painted Trays: 40 Projects to Decorate Your Home
- DIY Farmhouse Decor For Your Entire Home!
Janna
Thursday 22nd of September 2022
The link to the DIY pottery barn floral lamp shade needs to be updated. It goes to a site of *pornographic* images!
Amy
Saturday 24th of September 2022
Thank you! It didn't go to that for me - just a broken site - but I fixed it! Thank you!
Janet
Monday 17th of January 2022
Hi i have just decorated my living room there is wallpaper left over and i would like to use it on my two tablelamp lamps would that be save to do that i don't use the lamps very often any help would be nice .
Janet
Sunday 23rd of January 2022
@Amy, Thank you that is very helpful
Amy
Monday 17th of January 2022
YES! You can safely do that. It's not as flexible as fabric or thinner paper, which is my favorite to use. I wouldn't necessarily use Mod Podge for it. I would probably use adhesive spray because I think it's going to tack better because you're putting the wallpaper on fabric (which is a flexible surface). So I would google "lampshade template" and make one - cut the wallpaper - then apply it to the lampshade with spray adhesive.