DIY: Easy Painted Retro Lampshades

Creating a unique look with easy, do it yourself retro lampshades is a fun and inexpensive project that will bring new life to any room. You don't need to be an artist - or even very crafty - to redo your décor in trendy retro fashion that will have everyone asking where you found your hip new lamps. Follow these tips and in one afternoon your room can have a whole new look.

DIY Easy Painted Retro Lampshades: Step One

The first step in creating your new look is gathering the materials you will need for this fun afternoon project. If you don't have plain lampshades on hand, you will find inexpensive options in every shape and size by browsing thrift stores, discount department stores and garage sales. For the best results, look for solid-colored, plain lampshades in light colors.

Next you will need to select the colors you would like to use and to purchase acrylic or fabric paint at your local craft store or craft thrift store. When selecting colors, consider the colors in the room, as well as popular retro colors - such as blues and greens, or oranges and browns. You will want to select at least two colors of paint, but for more variety, choose three or four hues that go together well. While you are at the craft store, pick up some sponge paint applicators in various small sizes.

You can purchase stencils at the craft store, but to save money - or just for fun - you can also use items in your pantry. The two popular retro shapes I recommend using for your lampshades are circles and rectangles in varying sizes. If you decide on circles, scour your pantry for canned goods, drinking glasses, old paper towel rolls and spice jars that will give you a variety of sizes of circles to work with. If you would rather do rectangles, look for boxed foods, cardboard milk cartons and other square and rectangular objects for a variety of stencil sizes. While I would never eat the stuff, SPAM containers are a perfect size and shape for this project.

Other items you will need are a pencil, newspaper or cardboard to protect your work surface and varnish spray.

DIY Easy Painted Retro Lampshades: Step Two

After covering your work area with newspaper or cardboard, use your stencils and pencil to sketch the design onto the lampshade. To achieve a great retro look, overlap your shapes, use concentric circles and get creative. For the best look, choose either circles or rectangles, but not both, for each lampshade.

DIY Easy Painted Retro Lampshades: Step Three

Once you have outlined your design on the lampshade, choose which colors you are using in each area and use the sponge paint applicators to apply your first coat of paint. For this step, complete one even coat of paint for each color, then allow the paint to dry according to the directions on the package.

DIY Easy Painted Retro Lampshades: Step Four

Once your first coat has dried, apply a second coat of paint. This will help to insure that you have an even paint cover, which might not look like a big deal now, but once your lampshade is covering a lit light bulb, you will notice right away if the paint is not even. Once you have completed your second coat, allow the paint to thoroughly dry.

DIY Easy Painted Retro Lampshades: Step Five

The final step to complete your project is to apply a thin coat of spray varnish. For a bold look you can go with a gloss varnish; for a softer look use either satin or matte. Set your lampshade aside to dry while you clean up your materials and choose the perfect spot for your new creation. Once the varnish has completely dried, you are ready to enjoy your new look!