Lamp Makeover using Highlighter Markers

Yes, you read the title correctly. I used highlighter markers to makeover a lampshade. Who knew?

Yesterday I was at Home Hardware and the guy ahead of me was having trouble with his debit card. While I waited I was browsing the stuff for sale by the cashier and saw these lovely bright highlighters. I grabbed a pack for $1, not knowing what I was going to use them for. They’re always handy to have.

Here’s what my $1 thrift store lamp looked like when I bought it.

Before I used the highlighters on my good shade I did a trial run on a used lampshade that’s seen better days and it worked great. But it does take patience and a steady hand.

To colour the fabric with the highlighters I used short strokes as I filled in, going back over it as I went along until I got an opaque look that I was happy with. I moved slowly so I wouldn’t have any accidents.

First I used the yellow highlighter to colour all the trim. I let it sit for about 30 minutes to make sure it was dry. Because there are six sections to this lampshade I decided to alternate the sections with the pink and green highlighters. I carefully outlined each section first and then slowly filled it in.

One section should be completely done at a time. You can’t walk away from a section when it’s only half done and then finish it later because you’ll have lap lines just like when painting.

I only had one of each colour so after I did a pink section I let that highlighter sit while I did a green one, and vice versa until I was done. This way the highlighters seemed to replenish themselves rather than dry out. Next time I do this I’ll make sure I have two of each colour on hand.

Here’s my finished lamp with the lamp base spray paint with a lovely glossy green. I love the way it turned out. It’s so cheerful!

What do you think? Have you ever coloured fabric with highlighters?