• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Me
    • New? Start Here!
  • Projects
    • DIY & Crafts
    • Decorating Ideas
    • Furniture Makeovers
    • Power Tools 101
    • Seasonal Decorating
    • Outdoor Projects
    • Parties – Ideas & Decor
    • Cleaning and Organization Tips and Ideas
  • Free Printables
  • Travel
  • Gift Ideas

Rain on a Tin Roof

DIY and Home Decor Blog. Fly Your Freak Flag.

You are here: Home >> DIY Projects >> 16 DIY Lamp Makeovers and Ideas You Can Do Yourself!

August 16, 2013 By Jenna 49 Comments

16 DIY Lamp Makeovers and Ideas You Can Do Yourself!

1103 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
Top 10 Posts of 2013 from RainonaTinRoof.com

In my opinion, one can never have enough great lamps. These DIY lamp ideas for lamp makeovers, building your own lamps, creating your own lampshades and more are sure to give you a “lightbulb” moment. 

I have a serious obsession with lamps. In fact, many would say I’m a lamp hoarder.

And they’re right. I totally am a lamp hoarder. I never leave a good one behind.

One of my favorite things about lamps though, is that they can easily be made over or made from objects you might already have on hand. And just to prove my point, I thought I’d showcase some of my favorite lamp ideas.

DIY Lamps

Make a lamp out of a bottle.

DIY Lamp

Learn how easy it is to make a lamp out of an old bottle here!

Make a lamp out of books! 

DIY Lamp made from books

Learn how to make a lamp out of books from The Shabby Creek Cottage!

Give a tripod a second life.

How to make a lamp from a tripod

Breathe new life into an old music tripod with this tutorial from The Painted Hive on how to turn one into a lamp.

Reach for some scrap wood. 

DIY Lamp made from scrap wood

If you have some salvaged or scrap wood lying around, you can turn it into a lamp with these instructions from Burlap & Denim.

Lamp Painting and Lamp Makeover Ideas

Reach for light and bright colors.

Lamp painting

How about a little lamp painting? This lamp got a breath of new life with pink, yellow and white. See how I did it here.

Get your Kate Spade on.

DIY Lamp Ideas

Give an old lamp new life with a Kate Spade inspired twist!

Go aqua!

Lamp Makeover Ideas

Add some bright blue to your life with this aqua spray painted lamp makeover idea!

Grab your wrapping paper! 

Thrift Store Lamp Makeover

Update a basic lamp with a roll of cheap wrapping paper with this tutorial form At Home with the Barkers!

DIY Lampshade Ideas

Make your own lampshade!

Lampshade Ideas - Make your own!

How to Make Your Own Lamp Shade out of Any Fabric + DIY Lamp Finial

Get creative with electrical tape! 

Electrical Tape Lampshade Idea

DIY Electrical Tape Lampshade

Give cowhide a spin! 

DIY Cowhide Lampshade Idea

Learn how to recover an existing lampshade with faux cowhide here!

Reach for some balsa wood.

Lampshade Ideas - lampshade made from balsa wood.

Give a lamp shade a modern twist with this DIY balsa wood lamp shade from Pomp and Circumstance.

Got any trim lying around? 

Lampshade Idea - add trim to bottom of shades.

Give your lampshade a touch of class by trimming them out with greek key trim like Honey We’re Home Did.

Give your lamps a vintage twist.

Lamp Ideas - give a lamp a vintage look.

Love the vintage shabby chic look? Then see how My Blessed Life made over this lamp.

DIY Lamp Finial Ideas

Give it a glam touch!

DIY Lamp Finial

Hands down, one of my favorite lamp ideas for dressing up your lamps is to top it off with a lamp finial. Give your lamps a touch of glam with this tutorial for how to make a crystal lamp finial!

Agates are always a good idea.

DIY Agate Lamp Final - pretty lamp idea

If crystals aren’t your thing, then maybe agates are. How about topping off your lamps with one of these DIY Agate Slice Lamp Finials?

Other Ideas for Dressing Up Your Lamps

Everything is better with tassels.

Lamp Ideas - add tassels to lamps.

Make these lamp tassels in under five minutes to add a little somethin-somethin to your lamps!

Add an unexpected pop of color.

Lamp Ideas - Paint the cord for a pop of color.

Give your lamp an unexpected twist by making the cord pop with this idea from Vintage Revivals.

Have you done any of your own DIY lamp makeovers?

Looking for more great DIY decorating ideas?

7 Super Simple, Super Cute Electrical Tape Ideas – you’ll kick yourself if you don’t take a peek at these!

14 Painted Rug Hacks – gorgeous rugs on a budget!

17 Easy Crafts and DIY Projects under $10 – budget projects!

20+ Duck Tape Crafts & Projects – duck tape, a crafter & DIYer’s best friend!

pin-this-post

DIY Lamp Ideas and Lampshade Ideas

Sign up to get my posts delivered to your inbox here. 

You know you don’t wanna miss any of this crazy.

Stalk Me Here:

Pinterest / Facebook / Twitter /Instagram

SaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

1103 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Filed Under: DIY Projects Tagged With: lamps, lampshade

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jackie says

    August 16, 2013 at 7:53 am

    Jenna, Great roundup! I especially live the brushstroke lamp and the music stand lamp! Thank you for including my drum shade!

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      August 18, 2013 at 9:09 am

      I LOVE that brushstroke lamp too – Jackie! I just have to find a lamp to do it to now!

      Reply
  2. Kelly says

    August 16, 2013 at 8:28 am

    Lovely giveaway, I would love to be the lucky one! In fact I am doing over a guest room and DIY dresser and would love to have a new lampshade for the room.

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      August 18, 2013 at 9:09 am

      It is a great giveaway – Kelly – an awesome kit!

      Reply
  3. Sonya ~At Home with The Barkers says

    August 16, 2013 at 9:14 am

    WOW, that kit looks fun! SO many great ideas in this post. Thanks for including my thrift store lamp. ~Sonya

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      August 16, 2013 at 8:25 pm

      It is fun, Sonya! And you are so welcome – loved your lamp!

      Reply
  4. Dawn K says

    August 16, 2013 at 11:56 am

    I would love to win a lamp shade makeover kit! So cute and maybe I could actually complete one successfully!

    Reply
  5. Laura @ The Turquoise Home says

    August 16, 2013 at 2:11 pm

    Great roundup! I need to make a few lamp shades, so I would LOVE to win a lamp shade kit. So cool!! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      August 18, 2013 at 9:03 am

      It is a really cool, kit, Laura! And a great round-up – lots of inspiration!

      Reply
  6. Kayleigh says

    August 16, 2013 at 4:09 pm

    I hope I win!

    Reply
  7. Angela says

    August 16, 2013 at 5:59 pm

    I like em all! LOL! Lamps are an obsession of mine!! Great post!~~Ang

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      August 18, 2013 at 9:04 am

      I know, Angela! As I was writing this post – I was thinking of you and your 12? lamps in your living room! haha!

      Reply
  8. Jennifer @ Decorated Chaos says

    August 17, 2013 at 9:57 am

    I love the Kate Spade inspired lamp and the one made from the music tripod. Very creative!

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      August 18, 2013 at 9:08 am

      Thanks, Jennifer! That music tripod one is pretty cool!

      Reply
  9. Thistle says

    August 17, 2013 at 7:25 pm

    Hey rock star! LOVE this post (but your lamp is my favorite)! Hope you are having a wonderful week!

    Happy day!
    karianne

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      August 18, 2013 at 8:54 am

      Oh, Karianne, to hear you tell me I’m a rock star and that you like my lamp just makes my day! Hope your weekend was fabulous!

      Reply
  10. Dicksi says

    August 18, 2013 at 3:15 pm

    Cute ideas for shades! Hope I win! Thanks for a chance…

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      August 19, 2013 at 6:24 am

      There are some cute ideas! Good luck!

      Reply
  11. Julie says

    August 18, 2013 at 10:56 pm

    This is so nifty! Moving into our first home with first baby on way so I’m all about upcycling and thrifting to save money!

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      August 21, 2013 at 6:32 am

      Yep, Julie, I’m the same way! There are some great ideas here!

      Reply
  12. Lolly Jane says

    August 19, 2013 at 1:48 am

    Love your roundup! How did I miss that pop of color cord in Mandi’s lamp? And that book lamp?! Cute! Love your spray painted lamp, too!!! Oh, the possibilities with lighting! 🙂 LOL

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      August 21, 2013 at 6:31 am

      I know – LOVE that color cord! Lamps are just so much fun!

      Reply
  13. Daune | Cottage in the Oaks says

    August 19, 2013 at 9:46 am

    Jenna….it was great meeting you at Haven! Love all these features…wonderful! Hope you have a great week!

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      August 21, 2013 at 6:30 am

      It was great to meet you as well!! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  14. Jen @ Girl in the Garage says

    August 19, 2013 at 9:57 am

    There are some awesome ideas on this list- great roundup! Pinned and sharing on Facebook. 🙂

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      August 21, 2013 at 6:29 am

      There are, Jen!! Thanks for the pin and FB love!

      Reply
  15. Abby @ Just a Girl and Her Blog says

    August 19, 2013 at 10:15 pm

    Awesome roundup, Jenna! Lamps are so hard to find, so it’s great to have a list of ways to DIY them! Hope you have a wonderful week!

    ~Abby =)

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      August 21, 2013 at 6:27 am

      Lamps are so hard to find! I always end up diying them!

      Reply
  16. [email protected] Stroll Thru Life says

    August 20, 2013 at 6:13 pm

    They are all amazing. I really love the tripod. Thanks for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      August 21, 2013 at 6:17 am

      Isn’t that tripod one so cool?! Tons of great inspiration!

      Reply
  17. Lizy @ http://justdipitinchocolate.blogspot.com/ says

    August 21, 2013 at 12:00 pm

    Awesome roundup and a fantastic giveaway Jenna ! I love re doing lamps the all end up in my little one’s room and he loves it! Thank You for sharing at the Fluster Buster Party, have a great week, Lizy your party co host for today!

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      August 23, 2013 at 2:32 pm

      Thanks, Lizy! Loved having you co-host!

      Reply
  18. Thalita @ The Learner Observer says

    August 22, 2013 at 12:16 pm

    I swear, sometimes there’s no point in going to a store and looking for a lamp that you want – you gotta look for one that has qualities you want then take it home and make it your own, which is great because then you get amazing projects like these! Awesome round-up full of great ideas!

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      August 23, 2013 at 3:07 pm

      You are so right! And its much cheaper that way!

      Reply
  19. Kaitlin says

    August 22, 2013 at 8:23 pm

    This has me really thinking; the only thing I’ve done that was “creative” for a lampshade was a paper lantern (and that’s only because my husband broke the glass shade that came with the lamp!)

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      August 23, 2013 at 2:21 pm

      haha! There are some great creative ideas!

      Reply
  20. Cindy says

    August 23, 2013 at 12:35 pm

    Man, I can never resist a good lamp makeover! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      August 23, 2013 at 2:50 pm

      Me either, Cindy! I’m a sucker for them every time!

      Reply
  21. Elle says

    August 23, 2013 at 11:12 pm

    Love all the fabulous lamp idea’s can’t wait to see more, great giveaway thanks for the chance. [email protected] chic n shabbies.

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      August 28, 2013 at 7:50 am

      There is some great inspiration, Elle! Thanks for stopping by and entering the giveaway!

      Reply
  22. Christina at SWEET HAUTE says

    August 26, 2013 at 11:47 am

    So fun! Thanks for linking up at Thursday SWEET HAUTE Share!!!!

    Reply
  23. Kim says

    August 26, 2013 at 7:01 pm

    Jenna, thanks for including my lamp. I am glad I am not the only one who likes lamps or to make them over.

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      August 28, 2013 at 8:10 am

      You are welcome, Kim! I love that lamp! It seems like I’ve always got a lamp makeover going on!

      Reply
  24. Amanda @ Burlap and Denim says

    January 24, 2014 at 1:59 pm

    Thanks for featuring my wood lamp! It’s still one of my favorite projects. I love the inspirations from the other sites, especially the book light, adorable.

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      January 27, 2014 at 3:21 pm

      Loved your lamp, Amanda!!

      Reply
  25. polly plum says

    February 6, 2014 at 8:48 am

    Hi, DIY ladies,
    I’m newat this stuff, Is there some way to make a lampshade out of something that isn’t meant to be heated(by the lightbulb?)Is there a way to treat it so it won’t be flammable? I have an old, damaged globe from hubby’s childhood, its dented, not fixable, cardboard, etc. I would LOVE to cut it in half along the equator line and use half as a lampshade- but its cardboard. Any ideas? Or should I just find something else to do with it?My 5 yr old is obsessed with maps and globes, its all over his bedroom, so it would be ideal for him, I just don’t know how or if its possible.

    Reply
  26. Jennifer @ Brave New Home says

    May 22, 2014 at 1:55 am

    Great roundup and so much inspiration!

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      May 22, 2014 at 6:15 am

      Thanks, Jennifer!

      Reply
  27. Penny says

    May 2, 2019 at 12:01 pm

    Jenna,
    Great post on lamps! So true about finding one that you like and that is affordable and not flimsy or cheaply made. So, question is – do you have any hacks, hints or posts as to how one could paint the interior of a lamp shade? I am looking for a black shade with gold interior in a specific size. No luck at all, so figure I could maybe try and craft one. I would appreciate any suggestion or if you could point me in the right direction. Thanks!!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You have to agree to the comment policy.

Primary Sidebar

Privacy Policy

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Please use all appropriate and proper safety precautions when using tools and attempting projects. All projects and tool usage are attempted at the reader’s own risk.

Copyright © 2022 · Brunch Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · Design by Stephanie Jones

1103 shares