Mod Podge Lamp Shade Makeover in Minutes

This Mod Podge lamp shade makeover project takes less than 30 minutes and it’s incredibly easy to do! Use your favorite fabric.

Skills Required: Beginner. I recommend having basic experience with Mod Podge to complete this project. The most difficult part will be cutting the fabric to fit the shade, so work slowly.

Let’s face it – I have such a hard time sticking with my home décor plans. When that happens, it’s nice to know there are ways to mix up my style whenever I feel like it. I change my mind too often, but this Mod Podge lamp shade hack comes in handy when I do!

The lamp on my entryway table always had a white lampshade that had begun to change colors due to wear and tear, so in order to save money and get a nice change of décor, I simply made over the lampshade with new patterned fabric and Mod Podge medium.

The entire decoupage lamp shade project takes less than 30 minutes and it’s incredibly easy to do when you have a shade that is either square or smooth and round.

If you have a bell-shaped lampshade, this DIY may be more difficult. Mod Podge perfectly bonds the new fabric to the existing canvas-like lamp shade, but I still feel like I have a brand new lamp!

Learn how to make this craft at home below.

Mod Podge Lampshade Makeover

Gather These Supplies

• Flat lampshade (square or round, not bell shaped)
• Mod Podge Gloss
• Large paint brush
• Cotton fabric – 1 yard
• Scissors
• Pen/pencil

Step 1: For best results, iron the fabric beforehand to remove creases. Otherwise, iron the fabric once cut to shape.

Step 2: Lay the fabric out on a flat surface, backside facing up. Place the seam or edge of the lampshade at one edge of the fabric, leaving enough room above and below because the round lampshade pattern will curve.

Step 3: Lightly trace the top and bottom of the lampshade as you roll it across the fabric and reach the edge again. The marks do not need to be exact because you will not cut along them.

Step 4: Then cut out the pattern, leaving about 1 inch around your marks to allow for folded over seams. It should be a long, curved shape for a round lampshade.

Step 5: Starting at the seam or edge of the lampshade, apply Mod Podge Gloss all over with a large paint brush and press the fabric on top, smoothing it with your hands. Work in sections until the entire lampshade is covered with fabric.

Step 6: Where the two ends of the fabric meet, fold one side over about a half inch and glue on top of the other edge to create a clean seam.

Step 7: Fold over the remaining edges of fabric on the top and bottom of the lampshade and glue in place on the inside. If there are bars in the way (that attach the lampshade to the base), simply cut a small slit with scissors and fold the seams in around it.

Once the glue is dry, which should only take a few minutes, place the lampshade back on its base and enjoy a fresh look!

If only I could achieve such a simple makeover with every aspect of my home. Let me know what you think of my Mod Podge lampshade makeover in the comments.

Save Saved! Print

4.15 from 7 votes

How to Cover a Lampshade

Learn how to cover a lampshade with fabric and Mod Podge! This is such an easy home decor project.

Prep Time30 minutes mins

Active Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Dry Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Yield: 1 lampshade

Cost: $2

Equipment

• Scissors
• Large paint brush
• Pen or pencil
• Iron

Materials

• Flat lampshade square or round, not bell shaped
• Mod Podge Gloss
• 1 yard Fabric cotton; not home decor weight

Instructions

• For best results, iron the fabric beforehand to remove creases. Otherwise, iron the fabric once cut to shape.
• Lay the fabric out on a flat surface, backside facing up. Place the seam or edge of the lampshade at one edge of the fabric, leaving enough room above and below because the round lampshade pattern will curve.
• Lightly trace the top and bottom of the lampshade as you roll it across the fabric and reach the edge again.
• Cut out the pattern, leaving about 1 inch around your marks to allow for folded over seams. It should be a long, curved shape for a round lampshade.
• Starting at the seam or edge of the lampshade, apply Mod Podge Gloss all over with a paint brush. Press the fabric on top, smoothing it with your hands. Work in sections until the entire lampshade is covered with fabric.
• Where the two ends of the fabric meet, fold one side over about a half inch and glue on top of the other edge to create a clean seam.
• Fold over the remaining edges of fabric on the top and bottom of the lampshade and glue in place on the inside.
• Allow the glue to dry completely before replacing.

If you like lampshade makeovers, we’ve got a couple other ones here. Check them out:

• Vintage Inspired Decoupage Lampshade
• Whimsical Paper Mod Podge Lamp Shade
• DIY Lamp Base Covered with Fabric
• How to Build a Lamp from Scratch (So Easy!)