One reason I love paint so much is because it is so versatile, you can use it on hundreds of things. Modifying something you hate into a work of art. Lamp shades are expensive and take time and effort to replace because you have to get the correct size. If a shade is too small it looks odd, too big over powering. Why not paint the one you have and give it new life?

I have painted many shades in my time with great success. You can custom them to match any décor. Example you can paint one to match curtains or even better you can take fabric from curtains or pillows or a bedspread and cut out the design and laminate the fabric to the shade making the shade match perfectly.

I love using metallic paint on lampshades, it give them a little pizazz and makes them look expensive and custom (which they are). You can use latex paint in a can, but most often I use the 2 oz bottles from the craft store because the color selection is huge. An even faster way is to use spray paint…it works very well. I have even used the textured spray paint. I used the one that looked like stone on one of my shades and then put it with a large black base, it was very striking.

You can use different colors; different shapes, the sky is the limit, circle, dots, squares, rectangles, stripes, any shape you can think of that matches your décor you can do. Something that enhances the design is to outline each shape with a darker color and then fill it in with the colors you choose, this will make the designs stand out more.

Using stencils is an easy and fun way to get a professional look in a short period of time. Use the stencil exactly as you would on a wall, using small amounts of paint. For this technique it is good to get the spray adhesive and put it on the back of the stencil. This makes it easy to put on the shade while you are working and very easy to take off.

Some more options, don’t forget gold, silver or copper leaf, yes you can use them especially on a shade with little or no texture. Also don’t be afraid to put an adornment around the top or bottom (or both), you can use things like ribbon, feathers, beads anything that gives it a touch of fun.

Remember as I always say, before you pick up the lamp shade and begin to slap on color practice, practice and practice some more. You can make a sample drawing on tracing paper and then attach it to the lamp with a small piece of tape, turn on the light and you will get a good feel for what your design will look like. Also do this when you are thinking about changing the entire color of the shade. It only takes a couple minutes and will save you hours of grief if you paint the shade and hate it.

Article originally published at Source by Glenda Millette