How to Give Your Old Lamp a New Look (With Easy DIY Tips)

Do you have a lamp that you love but it doesn’t work with your current decor? Well, here are the Best Lamp Makeover Ideas for a repurposed lamp transformation to update the decor in your home. This lamp transformation is an easy and inexpensive DIY project that will inspire you to hold on to those old lamps.

My friend recently asked me to update a table lamp to make it work in her newly renovated downstairs. The lamp had a beautiful coastal-inspired design, but the colors were all wrong for her new space. So here’s what I did.

What Are Some Lamp Makeover Ideas?

There are several ways to repurpose your old lamps. Here are some simple, cost-effective lamp makeover ideas and tips.

• New Paint
• New Lamp Shade and/or replace Harp Size
• New Finial
• Add accents to the lamp base
• Replace Harp Size
• Recover the lampshade

I have several lamp transformation ideas that I’ve used on thrift store lamps.

How to Make a Distressed Napkin Decoupage Lamp Base and the Easy Earthenware Lamp Makeover both included new paint, accents, a new shade, and a new finial to create fun, one-of-a-kind lamps for our master bedroom.

A thrifted lamp transformation usually requires a new lamp shade as well as updating the base.

Some more recent lamp transformations include a Ballard Design Inspired Hobnail Lamp Makeover and this Pleated Fabric Lampshade Update.

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How To Repurpose An Old Lamp?

Today’s lamp makeover is a relatively new lamp with a great lamp shade and finial, therefore it just needs a refresh to make it work in it’s new location.

The light color of the lamp base did not match the darker shades of black, grey, and red in the renovated downstairs.

The first step was to darken the lamp base with a coat of black craft paint. The desired effect was a distressed paint technique, which required a dark base.

Add Color To The Repurposed Lamp

Next, add the paint color of your choice for the lamp base.

For this project, we used red chalk paint.

As you can see, two coats of red paint were needed to get the desired coverage.

In addition, the lamp base was one solid piece, and in order to give it more character, I left the bottom painted black to give it the appearance of a separate lamp base.

To achieve a distressed finish, wipe off excess red paint from the lamp base’s high points with a paper towel. Brush back over the paint with an almost dry brush to even out the paint distribution.

Add Protective Wax

To protect the finish and add additional distressing, apply a half-and-half mixture of dark wax and clear wax over the surface of the lamp base and buff to a soft shine.

Nautical Lamp Transformation

In order to enhance the details of the lamp base, we chose to add a nautical feel with jute rope.

Begin by cutting sections of the rope to fit the areas you wish to apply. I cut all the pieces and held them in place with tape to ensure the placement was correct before proceeding to the next step.

Attach Rope To Lamp Base

Begin by applying E600 glue in the areas you wish to add the jute rope.

Apply in small sections and then adhere the jute rope, making sure the ends meet at the backside of the lamp base. If necessary, secure it with extra glue where the rope meets.

Click Here to Watch Video of the Repurposed Lamp Transformation

Repurposed Lamp Transformation

The lamp looks perfect in its new spot.

The distressed red color works perfectly with the chair color.

Resources

Click the links below to shop for supplies used for this project.

• Jute Rope
• E600 Glue
• Dark wax
• Clear Wax
• Red Chalk Paint
• Black Craft Paint

Related Articles

I hope this inspires you to rethink your home decor before purchasing new items. It’s a cost-effective and eco-friendly approach to decorating.

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