10 Ways to Reinvent a Lampshade

If you've ever bought a lampshade you know it isn't exactly the most exciting item to shop for. The shades and drums that are readily available tend to be pretty basic and lack personality, or they cost an arm and a leg. Luckily, there are plenty of DIY options for those inexpensive store bought shades, so you won't have to shell out a ton of cash to get a designer look. Here are ten ways to reinvent a basic lampshade on a budget.

1. Make a lace pattern lamp shade
2. Use washi tape to create a unique lampshade liner

3. Use a fabric stencil to paint a pattern
4. Refinish the surface of a lampshade with paper
![credit: Courtney Schutz [http://www.alittleglassbox.com/2011/08/horsin-around.html] created at: 09/12/2012](http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0016/1881/sharpie-lampshad-diy_large_jpg.jpg?1347490201)
5. Tell a story with sharpie pens
![credit: Elsie Larson [http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/03/doily-covered-lamp-shade-project.html] doily lampshade diy](http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0016/1877/6a00d8358081ff69e20168e8948684970c-800wi_large_jpg.jpg?1347473694)
6. Create a dainty doily lampshade
![credit: Mandi Gubler [http://www.vintagerevivals.com/2011/10/yarn-ombre-lampshade-tutorial.html] created at: 09/12/2012](http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0016/1879/yarn-lampshade_large_jpg.jpg?1347489420)
7. Give a lampshade the ombre treatment with yarn

8. Learn how to recover a shade with fabric and trim
9. Add family photos to a standard drum lampshade
![credit: Alicia Bornsztein [http://www.curbly.com/users/alicia/posts/14031-how-to-make-a-diamond-ribbon-lampshade] created at: 09/12/2012](http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0016/1882/diamond-ribbon-lampshade-diy_large_jpg.jpg?1347490538)
10. Add a diamond detail with ribbon
Which one(s) of these will you try? Share your favorites in the comments below.
Tagged : Curbly-Original, How-To
Material : fabric, paper, recycled, yarn & string
Design Style : colorful, contemporary, eclectic, scandanavian
Techniques : Creative Reuse, Papercrafting, Recycling & Upcycling
Room : Entryway & Hall, living room
Decor Element : Lamps & Lighting
