Decoupaged Lampshade Makeover

How to Decoupage a Lampshade

This decoupaged lampshade makeover project is an easy way to give a plain lampshade a fun and colorful new look.

I’ve had this one dollar thrifted lampshade around for what seems like forever, and it was long overdue for a makeover.

Here’s my stash of postage stamps, which I have organized by color.

I’m not a stamp collector, but I love the way they look. These stamps were purchased specifically with crafting in mind.

This lampshade is very sturdy. It’s made of some kind of strong canvas material.

Applying Stamps onto Lampshade

This is the kind of project that you just have to jump right into, without giving it much thought.

If I think about this kind of thing too much, I might never get started at all.

I just applied decoupage medium on to the lampshade, and put the stamps in place.

As I went along, I smoothed out the stamps with my fingers.

This is very much like a puzzle, especially when you make your way towards the bottom of the lampshade.

It’s helpful to have different sizes of stamps to pull from.

That way you can fill different sized spaces.

Trimming Stamps from Corners of Lampshade

After you’ve applied one coat of the decoupage medium to the stamps you can easily trim them with an xacto knife. The trick is to let the blade do the work. You don’t need any pressure at all.I

If you fold the stamps over onto the other side of the lampshade you’ll be able to see that when it’s lit up, so it’s best to cut the bits off.

I finished all four sides, just sort of winging it as I went.

And then I trimmed off the final corners.

---

Finishing Touches to Decoupaged Lampshade

A light sanding with a fine grit sanding block s a good idea to smooth down any bits that might be sticking out on the corners.

Also, it’s a good idea to do this on the flat surfaces too, but make sure to support the lampshade with a hand underneath.

And this is just a light sanding, not much pressure needed.

I gave the decoupaged lampshade three light coats of the decoupage medium, with a light sanding in between.

At this point you could glue some kind of trim around the top and bottom if you wanted to, but I kept it natural because it goes with the outlines of the stamps. You could also put some kind of trim down the outside corners, but again I decided to keep it as is.

There’s no right or wrong here. It’s really just about personal preference.

Views of Finished Decoupaged Lampshade

I love that all four sides are different, but similar at the same time, and all it takes to get a new look is to rotate the shade.

And here’s one side lit up so you can see how it looks. It takes on a sort of antique-ish feel because of the creamy color of the lampshade material underneath.

Supplies for Decoupaged Stamp Lampshade

• sturdy lampshade
• postage stamps
• decoupage medium
• foam brush
• xacto knife
• fine grit sanding block

---

Here’s a side view before.

And the after.

Here’s the front view before.

And the after.

I wanted a colorful sort of random mosaic look, so my focus was on the colors and shapes of the stamps rather than what was actually depicted on the stamps.

You could easily use stamps that are all one color, or you could go crazy and use one color per side. 🙂

Hmmm, now there’s an idea I might have to try next time. I’ve been know to like a little, or a lot, of crazy in my home’s decor.

Please pin to your favorite board.

If you enjoyed this project you might also enjoy there decoupage stamps projects.

Decoupaged Vintage Magazine Table

Decoupaged Bracelets, and Floral Earrings

Decoupaged Vintage Sifter turned Pencil Holder

Thanks so much for reading and until next time,

keep on keepin’ on!

XOX