How to Nest for Less™

Drab to Fab: Fabric Covered Lamp Shade

in Home Décor on

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Last week I posted about my Home Goals for 2012. The first thing I really want to tackle on my list? Start introducing more of my eclectic style in my traditional great room, which means a POP of color and some funky pieces.

I recently added new lamps to my master bedroom and wanted to incorporate them into my great room…with a little makeover to turn them from drab to fab! Yeah, the lamp shades were quite boring before.

My new color scheme is going to have a lot of browns, peacock blue and red (I have to work with what I got and those two red accent chairs are in great condition!). I went through my stock of fabric and found this bold red swirly pattern. Perfect!

Let me just say… lamp shades can be tricky to cover! To help me figure out the best way to cut my fabric, I created a pattern template out of butcher paper. Much easier this way!! OH, I made sure I cut the fabric with about an extra 1/2 inch on each side to leave room for user error!

Once my fabric was cut I used my hot glue gun to adhere it to the lamp shade on the top and bottom edges. I folded over the end of the fabric for a nice seam on the back side of the shade.

I used a pair of scissors to trim away the excess fabric.

Then I lined the top and bottom edges with 2 yards fancy cording I purchased from JoAnn’s Fabrics for only $1.50 total!

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And that’s it! Don’t you LOVE how the fabric perfectly matches the swirls of the lamp? Yeah, totally not on purpose. I actually didn’t even notice how well they went together when I first picked out the fabric 🙂 DOH, sometimes I just don’t know if I’m awake or dreaming.

OH, and I’ll have the rest of my revamped Great Room coming soon. See the pop of blue in the pillows? Yep, adding some hints of that throughout the room. So excited for the changes coming ahead!!

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Comments

  1. Debbie~refreshrestyle says

    I love it! I have been wanting to do this! Instead I just have old ugly shades hiding in the closet! Thanks for the beautiful idea!
    Debbie

    • howtonestforless says

      Thanks Debbie! And thanks for sharing it, too 🙂

    • howtonestforless says

      Thanks Anna!

  3. Megan Brooke says

    I attempted to cover a lamp shade for work not too long ago and it was a disaster! haha Mistake number one was that I didn’t create a pattern. Oops!

    Yours turned out great! Love that fabric!

    • howtonestforless says

      Haha!! The pattern was definitely a life saver! I couldn’t get the material straight otherwise and everything just looked off-kilter!

  4. Maria says

    How lovely! That pattern is so much fun!

  5. Lama says

    That looks Great! This is yet another project that I have to try after I recover from the disappointment of creating my own stencil! That was no easy project 🙂

  6. janet metzger says

    Morning Erin,

    What a great job you have done with your lamp…I love it!

    janet xox

    • howtonestforless says

      Thanks Janet!

  9. MariaElena says

    This is beautiful! You just gave me a great idea to finish my daughter’s room.
    Thank you for sharing!

  10. Claiming Our Spave says

    Love this tut. I have a yard sale lamp in my basement begging for a total make-over, including the shade. Thanks for posting such a clear tutorial. (I saw your post on Making the World Cuter)

    • howtonestforless says

      Thanks so much!

  11. Rachel @ Lines Across says

    Beautiful. I really love that fabric, and it does perfectly match the lamp. I have been wanting to do this, but I never really knew how to do it and I didn’t realize it could be this easy. Thanks for sharing!

    • howtonestforless says

      Thanks Brittany!!

  13. Lynette says

    My grandma recently moved in with family, and when we went through her things, I got a few lamps and shades because we had just bought our first home. The lamp shades are a harvest orange, dark greens, and browns, and my husband says they remind him of camouflage. Not really a good look for our home. they also have beads hanging down, so I’ve planned to redo them but didn’t have a clue where to start. Thanks for the ideas, I am pinning this so I can get to it and have cuter lamps!

  14. Christin says

    I have always wanted to cover a lampshade with fabric and you make it seem doable. Going to give it a try. Thanks for sharing!

    • howtonestforless says

      Thanks Christin!

  15. Meegan says

    Visiting for Home Stories From A2Z-Oh my goodness! You did such a fabulous job! I have been wanting to do this-now I can see how easy it is. Thanks for the tutorial.
    Love the colors!
    Come visit my blog anytime.
    whatmeeganmakes.logspot.com
    Meeg~

    • howtonestforless says

      Thanks Meegan! I appreciate it. Going to check out your site now 🙂

  17. Carrie says

    Such a great idea! I love the pattern on the fabric! Pinned, and your newest GFC follower. 🙂

    • howtonestforless says

      Thanks Carrie!!

    • howtonestforless says

      Thanks so much Mandy! I appreciate it 🙂

  19. Heather says

    Love the new lampshade, great fabric! Visiting you from Somewhat Simple.

    • howtonestforless says

      Thanks so much Heather!!

    • howtonestforless says

      Thanks so much Melody! I’m heading over there now to check it out!!

  21. Ashley @ Simply Designing says

    Wow! This turned out FABULOUS! I have seen fabric on lampshades before but none that turned out this beautiful!! I love your choice of fabric too!

    If you are interested, I would love for you to link up at my weekly Friday Link Party: http://www.simplydesigning.blogspot.com

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    Ashley
    Simply Designing

    • howtonestforless says

      Thank you so much!! I’m heading over there in just a bit!

  23. Tisha says

    Don’t you just love those little pops of color. I love what you did it looks fantastic. Thanks for sharing.

  25. Tina @ Babycakes Blog says

    I might just have to try that, I have a couple lamps that are in dire needs of a new shade, but those shades can be so expensive, I think I can just cover the current shades to save some money, thanks for the inspiration! I found you via the Homemade Projects link party.

    • howtonestforless says

      Thanks Tina!

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