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Mod Podge lampshade with vintage magazine pages
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5 from 4 votes

Decoupage a Lampshade

Learn how to decoupage a lampshade with vintage themed magazine pages! This is such an easy project with a cool effect.
Prep Time1 hour
Active Time2 hours 30 minutes
Dry Time6 hours
Total Time9 hours 30 minutes
Yield: 1 lampshade
Cost: $10

Equipment

Materials

  • 1 Drum lampshade white
  • Magazine pages or graphics and any other ephemera
  • Mod Podge Matte
  • Large paper for pattern
  • Cardstock for pattern

Instructions

  • Measure the circumference and height of the lampshade using the tape measure.
    Hand holding a measuring tape on a white drum lampshade
  • Mark the dimensions out on a large piece of paper. This helps you decide how many pieces you need, how you'll organize them, and the pattern you want to make.
    Rectangle drawn out on a brown piece of paper with a tape measure
  • Select interesting pages/patterns, remove from magazine by slicing along binding with an X-Acto knife. With a paper cutter, cut irregular strips of magazine pages varying from 1/2" to 1" wide.
    Using a paper cutter to cut vintage magazine pages
  • Place the strips onto the template and start laying out the design. We alternated black and white with color.
    Vintage magazine strips laid out on a paper template
  • Once the pattern is laid out, clamp the lampshade to something to hold it while you're working.
    White drum lampshade clamped to a car jack
  • Working with one strip at a time, apply medium to the shade and the back of the strip. Smooth down. Let the tops and bottoms of the strips hang free.
    Adding Mod Podge and paper strips to a lampshade with a paintbrush
  • Work your way around the shade, slightly overlapping the strips. When you have finished, let dry for several hours.
    Decoupage lampshade with untrimmed paper pieces
  • Go around the top and bottom of the lampshade, marking (with a pencil) where the strips should end so you can fold them over.
    Using a pencil to mark where the strips should end
  • Trim along the pencil marks with scissors. Repeat on bottom edge.
    Trimming along the pencil lines with a pair of scissors
  • Working in sections of about 5", apply Mod Podge to the area where the paper will fold over. Fold the paper over with your fingers, pressing down as you go. Hold down if necessary, and apply more Mod Podge.
    Applying Mod Podge to the edges of the trimmed paper with a brush
  • Let dry for a couple hours, then coat the entire shade with Mod Podge to seal. Let dry completely before using.
    Applying Mod Podge to the outside of the decoupage lampshade with a paintbrush

Notes

Step 2 is optional: you can freehand it and simply Mod Podge paper directly to the lampshade instead of planning the design.
Step 4: We alternated three black and white text strips with one color strip so the design would have obvious stripes. We kept the color palette limited to reds, oranges, and greens so it wouldn't get too busy.