How to Create Your Own Designer or Whimsical Lampshades

I love making old things new again or adding pizazz to basic items. So it's easy to see why decorating lampshades would be at the top of my list. The best part is almost everyone has a lamp with a shade and if your like me, maybe even several. A basic lampshade can be purchased for a reasonable amount but if you have something luxurious in mind you will probably pay a pretty penny, that's if you could even find what your looking for or have in mind. Below are some fun ideas you might like to try that doesn't require a lot of know how or money.

Creating A Designer Shade

You can use a lampshade you already have or pick up a simple basic shade at any department store. Items you can use that you may already have or can be purchased quite reasonably for trimming the top or bottom and/or both are: fringe, beads, ribbon, buttons, shells, various trims, tassels, feather boa, rhinestones etc. You can even be a bit more elaborate by adding a remnant of soft velvet, smooth satin or a soft pliable upholstery fabric. Just be sure to use a good quality fabric glue to attach the material to the shade and apply the glue carefully so as not to show through the fabric. Fabric paints work great on a plain smooth shade. You can use stencils or if your confident painting free hand, it's up to you. Note some colors can require more than one coat of paint. You can add stripes which can be elegant or masculine, or go with a theme to match your room.

Whimsical Shades

There are so many possibilities! You can start with a basic white shade or liven things up with a colored shade. For children's rooms plan a theme or add to a theme. What are their likes? Stars, fish, cars, butterflies, animals. Again fabric paints are great for these. Take into consideration the age of the child/children when considering adding small objects that could be hazardous. If you would really like to see their little faces light up. Use glow in the dark paints!

Themed Shades

Victorian - Velvet or satin fabric, long elegant trim, silk Rosette flowers

Nautical - Paint a boat, trim with rope or sea shells

Beach- Paint colorful fish, trim with colorful buttons or seashells

Romantic- Soft rose print fabric, coordinating fringe

Teen Girl - Painted glow in the dark designs (stars, circles, sayings) feather boa trim, sparkling rhinestones

Teen Boy - Painted glow in the dark designs (stars, name of their fav. sports team, sayings)

These are just few ideas and remember there is no right or wrong. Just use your imagination and above all have fun!