Alexei Volkov
Revamping old plastic lamp shades can be a fun and creative process, offering a unique and personalised addition to your home. Whether you are working with a second-hand find or looking to breathe new life into an old favourite, there are numerous ways to go about it. From simply giving your lampshade a good clean to more elaborate methods such as adding a colourful collage, using spray paint, or covering it with fabric, there are endless possibilities to explore.
How to Redo Old Plastic Lamp Shades
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Removing Old Fabric | Use a Stanley knife to cut between the ring and liner on the top and bottom edges. Cut the fabric at the bottom of the frame and gently pull it away. |
| Cleaning the Frame | Use a dust cloth or a vacuum with a brush attachment to remove dust and debris. For fabric shades, use a mild detergent and an old toothbrush to scrub away grime. Rinse and let it air dry. |
| Removing Glue | Use a solvent like acetone or a mineral thinner and rub it over the glue. Alternatively, use a hairdryer to warm the glue and scrape it off with a knife. |
| New Fabric | Choose a natural fibre fabric that complements your decor. Cut the fabric according to a template created from the lampshade's measurements. Use spray adhesive to attach the new fabric to the shade. |
| Decorations | Use beads, sequins, glitter, or embroidery to decorate the shade. Glue on spare buttons or crystals for a unique touch. Paint the shade with gold or silver spray paint for a glitzy look. |
| Alternative Covers | Use wallpaper, rope, or caned webbing for a unique cover. Cover the shade with a paper lantern for a different vibe. |
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What You'll Learn
Cleaning the shade
Before you begin to redo your old plastic lampshade, it is important to clean it thoroughly. This will ensure that any work you do to improve its appearance will last longer and that any new additions are securely applied.
Firstly, remove any decorations or ribbons from the lampshade frame. If the old fabric is intact, you don't need to remove it. However, if it is torn or discoloured, cut the fabric with scissors and gently pull it away from the struts. Make sure not to cut the liner fabric or pull the frame out of shape. If the fabric is difficult to remove, use a craft knife to work on each strut individually.
Once the lampshade frame is clear, use a dust cloth or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove any dust or debris. If your lampshade is made of fabric, you can wash it with mild detergent in warm water. Use an old toothbrush to scrub it down, then rinse it thoroughly. Leave the fabric to dry naturally before proceeding with any further steps.
If you are working with a plastic lampshade, you can also give it a good wipe down with a damp cloth to ensure it is clean. If you want to add a new layer of paint, consider using a multi-surface primer first to ensure the paint adheres well.
Now that your lampshade is clean, you can begin to decorate it or add new fabric.
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Removing the fabric
To remove the fabric from an old plastic lampshade, you will first need to clear a large workspace and remove any decorations from the shade. Use a pencil, tracing paper, and a yardstick or ruler to measure your lampshade and create a template. This will be useful later when you cut out your new fabric.
Next, remove any trim by gently pulling it off. It should come off easily. Using scissors, puncture the old fabric and cut sections away from the frame. Be careful not to cut the liner fabric. If the fabric doesn't pull away easily, use a Stanley knife or craft knife to remove each panel of the frame so that you can work on each strut individually. Take care not to pull the frame out of shape.
If your lampshade has accumulated grime, you can wash it with mild detergent in warm water, scrubbing it with an old toothbrush. Rinse it thoroughly and let it dry naturally before proceeding.
If your lampshade is made of fabric with a stiffening agent, you may want to insert a wire frame instead of adding another layer of stiffener, as this might make the shade too stiff.
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Using a stencil
Stencilling is a great way to refurbish an old plastic lampshade. It's an easy project that can add a pop of colour and a pretty stencilled pattern to your lampshade.
First, you need to choose a stencil. You can either buy one from a craft store or make your own stencil out of vinyl or a thick piece of plastic. Pick a stencil that is large enough to cover the bottom of your shade and spray it with adhesive. Tape one end of the stencil to the lampshade and wrap it around the shade. Make sure that if the stencil doesn't cover the whole shade, you protect the rest of the lampshade from overspray.
Next, apply paint over the stencil in small sections at a time. You can use a paintbrush or a foam roller for this step. You can also use spray paint, but be careful not to use too much, as this can cause drips and less crisp lines. After painting, remove the stencil, and you're finished!
You can also use stencils to create a more subtle effect. Instead of painting over the stencil, use it as a guide to arrange beads, sequins, or buttons on your lampshade. Secure these decorations with small clasps, pins, or glue.
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Adding beads and sequins
Choosing the Right Shade
Start by choosing a plain lampshade, preferably a plain white hardback shade, as this will give you a blank canvas to work on. You can also use a coloured shade if you already have a particular design or colour scheme in mind. Consider the shape of the shade as well, as lamp shades come in various options, including the classic drum shade, elegant bell shade, empire shade, oval shade, and rectangular shade.
Preparing the Workspace and Materials
Set up a clean and well-lit workspace with enough room to work comfortably. Gather all the materials you'll need, including beads, sequins, wire, pliers, wire cutters, glue, and any other decorative items you want to use. When choosing beads, opt for a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours to create a visually appealing pattern. You can use wooden, glass, plastic, or acrylic beads, depending on your preference. If you want to add some sparkle, sequins are a great option.
Designing and Attaching Beads and Sequins
Before attaching the beads and sequins, measure and cut the wire to the appropriate length. It should be approximately 2-3 times the circumference of your lampshade frame. This extra length will give you enough thread to work with while beading. You can create a fully beaded shade or leave some spaces for the light to shine through, depending on your preference and the desired light intensity.
For attaching beads, you can thread them onto the wire and secure them by wrapping the wire around the lampshade frame. You can also use glue to attach beads, sequins, and other decorative items directly to the lampshade. If using glue, create a design by lightly drawing it out with a pencil first, then fill it in with beads or glue on individual beads, sequins, or other items one by one.
Finishing Touches
Once you've finished adding beads and sequins, make sure all knots are tight and secure, and trim any excess thread or wire. Check that all the beads and sequins are firmly attached. Finally, place your newly decorated lampshade onto your lamp base, and enjoy your unique and glamorous creation!
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Recovering the shade
Before you start recovering your lampshade, clear a large workspace and remove any decorations from the old shade. You will need a flat surface to work on, such as a table. Consider covering the table and the floor surrounding your workstation with newspaper, as spray adhesive can damage your furniture or floor.
If the old fabric of your shade is torn or ruined, you should remove it before recovering the shade. Remove any trim by pulling on it gently; it should come off easily. Using scissors, puncture the old fabric and gently cut sections away from the frame, being careful not to cut the liner fabric. If the original fabric is thick, keep in mind that light may have difficulty passing through two layers of fabric. However, if you are covering a plastic lampshade liner, you don't need to remove the old fabric.
Take off any decorations or ribbons if you plan to reuse the old fabric. If the fabric is intact, you can simply remove the decorations or ribbons with small scissors or a sewing blade without puncturing the shade.
Once you have removed the old fabric and decorations, measure your lamp shade and create a template using tracing paper, a pencil, and a ruler or yardstick. Use this template to cut out your new fabric. Choose a natural fibre fabric that complements your decor. If you are on a tight budget, you can use scrap pieces of fabric from your craft supplies.
After cutting out your fabric, spread it face down on your work surface, ensuring it is smooth and free of wrinkles. Trace your template onto the fabric using a pencil, chalk, or disappearing ink marker. Cut out your pattern, adding extra length to account for the height of the lampshade.
Finally, spray the fabric with adhesive and attach it to your shade. Allow the adhesive to dry completely before re-attaching the shade to the lamp.
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Frequently asked questions
First, you need to remove the old fabric from the lampshade frame. Then, you can decorate the frame with paint, beads, glitter, or fabric. If you want to use fabric, you will need to cut it to size using a template, and attach it to the frame with spray adhesive.
You will need a clean work surface, covered with newspaper to protect it from adhesive. You will also need a pencil, tracing paper, a ruler, and scissors to measure and cut your fabric to size. If you want to decorate your lampshade with paint, beads, or glitter, you will need to purchase these materials separately.
First, remove any trim or decorations by gently pulling them off. Then, use scissors to puncture the fabric and cut it away from the frame. Be careful not to cut the liner fabric or the frame itself.
You can use pre-made beads or make your own by melting plastic into shapes. Use hot glue to attach the beads to the lampshade in your chosen design.
