Yes! You can paint a Lampshade.
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Did you know that you can paint a lampshade? I didn’t. For a while I had been collecting lampshades thinking that I would recover them, eventually, of course that never happened. But I did have a pair of lamps that I loved. They had terrific lampshades on them, but they were dark and I wanted something lighter and brighter.
Here’s what they looked like.
Not a great picture but you can seem the dark brown base and dark beige shade.
The first step is always prep work. They were vacuumed first and then lightly sprayed with water. They were then perched on top of another lamp base for easier painting.
I used Annie Sloan Pure White chalk paint for the shade and cut it with about 20% water. Because the lampshade was on top of another base, I was able to paint it more easily. It was so much easier to hang on to and it spun, no walking around needed.
Give it plenty of dry time between coats and depending on how dark your shade is, 2-3 coats should be enough. Of course if you are going darker with your color choice 1-2 may be plenty.
With the lampshade done I decided to tackle the base too. For that I decided to use Valspar’s Chalky Paint in Sherwin Williams Somerset Grey. I didn’t want full coverage here so I used a very light hand while painting it and then to add a bit more interest I used some Rub-n-Buff in Antique Gold around the edges, you can find it here
I am very happy with the way they turned out and they go great with my decor.
If you have any questions or comments just let me know in the comment box below.
You said you cut it with 20% water. How much paint did you use?
Hi Pamela, I believe I started with about 1/4 cup, my shades were on the smaller side so you may have to experiment a bit. Its better that when you add water to the paint it is on the thin side rather than thicker, you may have to go over back over your shade again but that would be easier than trying to remove it.
I have black shades that I would love to paint over could I do it with chalk paint
Hi Maryann, I am not sure on this one. Yes you could paint them but you might need a number of coats to cover the black. By doing that there won’t be much light coming through the shade. I think I would see If I could get a piece of fabric and experiment first then make the decision.
Thanks for sharing. Can Rustoleum chalked spray paint be used to paint a lamp shade.
You probably could but spray paint has oil in it, it will give you a solid color so there won’t be any light coming through the shade. Water based paints can give a more translucent appearance so that some light will still be able to come through. It is also easier to control.
Thanks for the wonderful article
Hi,
Is it possible to paint cushion covers as well?
Absolutely! When painting fabric you have to make sure to use a spray bottle and dampen the fabric and thin the paint with water. There are several YouTube videos I would suggest you take a look at, Debi’s Design Diary and Annie Sloan to name a few.
I have painted outdoor cushions several times. This year I even changed the colors! have a tropical floral print that was reds, greens etc. and I repainted it using turquoise and silver for the flowers and leaves. Turned out great. I used the little bottles of $1 craft paints and then sprayed them with antifade sun spray.
Did you brush the paint onto the lampshade or did you spray it?
Hi Jennifer, I just used a brush.
Did the light shine through after you painted it? Or did it make is darker?
The light still does shine through but it is a bit darker and it is not uniform, meaning because the paint is brushed on it is heavier in some areas that others. Although I haven’t tried it, you could really dilute the paint and do a few coats so it would be more opaque and uniform.
Did u paint inside of shade? Awesome job ❤️
Thanks! I only painted the outside.
Hi, did you seal or wax the paint on the lampshade? It looks beautiful.
Hi Tanya, I didn’t seal it at all. I knew they wouldn’t be handled and I didn’t want to risk wax melting from the heat of the bulb.
Thank you for sharing! I have a set of lamps that have a vinyl fabric (?) shades. What type of paint would you recommend?
I haven’t tried painting on a vinyl shade but I would think the procedure would be the same. You would probably have to seal it and then use LED bulbs so that it doesn’t get hot.
Thanks for the article. Will Chalk paint work for silk shades or only on certain fabrics?
I haven’t tried it on anything other than a plain cotton fabric and velvet but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work on silk also. I would try it and water down the chalk paint before you apply it. It works almost like a stain.
So glad to run across this article. I have a small lamp and want to paint the shade. I’m thinking very light gray on shade and periwinkle blue on body of lamp.
this is a fanTABUlous idea – great post and awesome that you reply so nicely!!! I’ll try this with some lampshades I’m currently loathing…..
I’m so glad I received this post, I’m going to paint my lampshades thank you for the idea!!!
Hello I spray painted mine from beige to white and it looked great until I placed it on the lamp and turned the light and it now is showing the inside (which was already white) but it makes it look beige still. Not sure what to do. It shows every flaw too. Please help. Thx.
Hi Tracy, I haven’t tried spray painting shades so I took a look at some YouTube videos. The only think I can think of is that you might need some more coats. Spray paint should be sprayed in several light layers to achieve a uniform look.
Hi Kim,
I’m so glad to have stumbled on your post. I knew I was going to paint the lamp bases but now I’m going to paint the shades white! Thank you for your sharing of your ideas!!!
Hi Linda I’m so happy I happened across your article, I found a great lampshade during my garbage hunting and I was going to re-cover it but it’s a pretty large and I wasn’t looking forward to it. However now I can paint it. I would love to send you a picture of it and maybe you could give me some ideas.
Hi Sandy, I would be happy to help just shoot me an email at Thirteenchairs13@gmail.com.
Can you use the metallic paint on lampshades
I am not sure about metallics, its not something I have tried but I don’t see why not. I would test it on some scrap fabric and see how it looks.
What about pleated lamp shades. Would paint and paint applications be the same and is there a preference of brush or spray for pleated. No color change ,Just refreshing formally off white shades.
I think it would be fine, just keep your paint thin and I would brush it on not spray. Sprayer (at least for me) don’t give me as much control.
I just have a question. When you turn the lamps on, does it not show streaks from the brush?
It will do that if your layers are thick. Keep the paint thin and paint it with uniform pressure and it should be fine.
Do you suggest adding fabric medium to the paint?
Hi. I’m nervous that if I paint my lampshades only on the outside it may catch fire. Aren’t the paints flammable? May sound like a silly question, but I’m not crafty lol
Thanks!
Hi Melissa, Just be use LED bulbs and you will be fine. That said, the paint is water based and so thinned down even if you used an incandescent bulb you should be fine.
Wow, just what I need to try for a dingy, yellowed lamp shade! Awesome idea.
thanks.
I have some shades I need to change but I’m hesitant because my husband is really sensitive to smells and I’m concerned the paint will have an Oder when it heats. Is there a strong smell?
Hi Shanel, just use LED’s they don’t give off heat>
What is the difference between chalk paint and paint that you use for your walls. Can I use any paint
Chalk paint has clay, lime and other minerals in it which allows it to expand and contract. It is easy to distress, clean up and it thins easily. Latex paint is made for walls and non-porous surfaces. It will also thin easily. That being said you can use any paint but you will get a better result with a chalk type paint. The chalk paint can actually be used as a dye for fabric. If you decide to use latex I would use some fabric and paint it with thinned paint to test it.
Hi! I have 2 matching fabric ivory lamp shades that I would like to make black. Could I use the chalk paint to do that and would I still have to water it down? Love your article by the way. In looking for black shades i was really amazed at the cost. Wow ? Thank you
Hi Stacey, yes you can use chalk paint but I would still water it down a bit. Doing this will make it easier to get even coats. I am a great believer in experimenting though, you could try it without on a small portion and then if you should decide you don’t like it, thin it out with some water, as long as there is no seal on it chalk paint can be thinned with more water.
Stacy how did you shades turn out? I’m wanting to do the same, I’m like you could not believe the cost, about 70.00 ,
was you light restricted very much?
What type of brushes do you use? Bristle or sponge?
I use bristle but don’t see any problem using a sponge brush, it’s just my preference.
Perfect. I have a shade that is dingy and some left over chalk paint. I’m encouraged by your post and I’m going to go for it!