A lamp with a patterned lampshade sits on a surface. Behind it, there is a rustic, round mirror with a distressed frame and a decorative circular wall piece featuring a floral design. The background is a light-colored wall.

How to Custom DIY a FUN Lampshade for Designer Look

It’s amazing how the special details can transform a space, isn’t it? 

Remember that dreamy screened porch at our old house? 

While our old screened porch may be a cherished memory, its influence lives on in so many ways throughout our new outdoor spaces. 

The breezy outdoor sheers that once defined that porch now add elegant movement to our patio and balcony. 

That sturdy cabinet that held a perfect table lamp and games and such to enjoy on the porch? It got a fresh lease on life with a fun makeover and now holds lake living essentials.

But let’s revisit the perfect lamp from the screened porch. It was the perfect size and style, but its original plain lampshade?

Let’s just say it didn’t do the lamp justice. 

Quite a few years ago, I upgraded with a DIY custom shade that made all the difference in the world. 

And now? Those patterned fabric lampshades I fell in love with, are having enjoying the design spotlight. Quite the current look, especially with block print fabrics.

Custom lampshades are everywhere, usually with price tags that make me wince — and then want to dive into my fabric stash instead!

That’s exactly what I did when I spotted this stenciled linen lampshade online. 

Screen shot 2012-07-27 at 1.06.26 PM

While this fabric lampshade was beautiful, it wasn’t quite right for my space – I loved the aged stenciling on linen. But the pattern itself was too Old World for my space. The color palette was wrong. But it became the perfect inspiration for creating my own custom version.

A lamp with a patterned blue shade rests on a wooden table. Behind it, there's a vintage mirror with a weathered frame and decorative white wall art against a beige wall.

Let me walk you through how to transform a basic self-adhesive lampshade into a custom piece that looks like it came from a high-end boutique. I’m sharing exactly how I did it.

A Note About This Project

Transforming a basic adhesive lampshade is surprisingly simple – you can cover it with your favorite patterned fabric for an instant update, or create your own pattern through stenciling as I did here. 

But if you want to take your lampshade from lovely to truly luxurious, I’m also including steps for adding professional-quality bias trim to the edges. 

Full transparency: this designer finish requires a sewing machine and basic sewing skills, but nothing fancy! Let me walk you through both options.

How To Make Your Own Custom Lamp Shade

Materials and Supplies-

What You’ll Need (Basic Version)-

  • Self-adhesive lampshade (I found mine at JoAnn’s)
  • Linen fabric or your choice of medium-weight fabric
  • Fabric laminate or adhesive vinyl
  • Circle cutter
  • Acrylic paint in your chosen colors (I used varying shades of taupe and cream, plus one surprise pop of raspberry)
  • Scissors
  • Pressing cloth
  • Iron

For the Designer Finish (Optional)-

  • Sewing machine
  • Fabric for bias strips or pre-made bias tape (1 5/8-inches wide)
  • Double-sided heat-activated tape
  • Small iron or heat tool, optional (can improvise with the tip of a standard iron)
  • Straight pins

NOTE: How much fabric you need depends on the size of the shade, and its shape. An empire lampshade (one where the top of the shade is narrower than the bottom of the shade) requires more fabric than a simple drum shade. If you’re going for the Designer Finish, you’ll also want enough fabric for the long strips of bias trim. 

Creating Your Custom Stencil Pattern- 

PRO TIP: that saved me from overthinking (my constant struggle): Simple shapes make stunning patterns! 

Using leftover self-adhesive fabric laminate and a circle cutter, I created four different sized circles. Cut out the centers about 1/8-inch smaller than the outer circles (you can toss those tiny “donuts” – we won’t need them).

Don’t let this step intimidate you – remember, simple shapes create stunning patterns!

Art supplies on a table: paintbrush, circular cutouts, pink and white paint, and adhesive sheets with "Peel" text visible, creating a creative, crafty setup.

Here’s how:

  • Using your circle cutter, create four different sized circles from the self-adhesive fabric laminate or vinyl
  • For each circle, cut out the center approximately 1/8-inch smaller than the outer circle
  • Keep your outer circles and the negative space (the “holes”) – these will become your stencils
  • Discard the thin donuts that remain

The Fun Part – Stenciling-

A fabric with a soft blue background features an abstract pattern of overlapping circles in shades of brown, tan, and pink. A single red circle stands out among the others.

So happy with how it turned out. NOTE TO SELF: Willy Nilly can be good, stop overthinking!

  • Before you begin, protect your work surface and gather your paint colors
  • Peel the backing off your first outer circle and place it randomly on your fabric
  • Take the corresponding inner “hole” and position it slightly off-kilter inside the outer circle – this creates interesting variations in your pattern’s line weight
  • Mix your paint colors (I used various shades of taupe and cream)
  • Using a nearly dry brush or sponge, dab paint over your stencil – less paint is better!
  • Carefully peel up your stencils
  • Repeat this process, overlapping patterns as you go
  • For visual interest, add an unexpected pop of color – I used one deep raspberry circle
  • Let your paint dry completely before moving on
  •  With a press cloth, apply your hot iron to the stenciled fabric to set the paint.

For the Designer Finish (Optional)-

  • Cut your bias strips 1 5/8-inches wide (or use pre-made bias tape)
  • Carefully remove the paper cover from your adhesive shade. The shade is extra sticky, so be sure to place it where nothing can touch it. Save that paper cover, you’re using it next.
  • Using your paper cover as your template, cut the upper edge of your lampshade fabric
  • Pin the bias strip to this edge, right sides together

Sewing machine stitching light blue fabric with intertwined beige and taupe rings. Fabric is partially folded, showing the stitching area under the presser foot. Wooden table visible in the foreground.

  • Sew with a 1/2-inch seam allowance
  • Press the seam and bias strip upward, using a pressing cloth to protect your fabric

Close-up of a light blue fabric with a frayed edge placed on top of a grid-patterned surface. A white sheet with dark text is partially visible in the upper right corner. The grid is marked with lines and numbers.

  • Line the top edge of the template along the top edge of your fabric with bias attached

A blue rotary cutter rests on a piece of fabric with a grid cutting mat underneath. The fabric is partially cut, showing a clean edge where the cutter has been used.

  • Cut the fabric for the bottom edge and repeat applying the bias for the bottom rim and pressing the bias and seam allowance away from the shade fabric
  • Set aside while you prepare the adhesive shade

Assembling Your Shade-

An adhesive lampshade is aligned with the edge of the soft blue linen fabric. The shade will be rolled atop the fabric to cover the shade

  • Carefully lay out and smooth your cut fabric. Press it if needed. You want your fabric perfectly smooth
  • Starting with the seam, (that’s important), lay the super sticky lampshade on one end of your fabric. Line up the end with the seam and the top and bottom of the shade with the edges.
  • Slowly work your way around the shade working small sections at a time to work out the air bubbles as you go and keeping the edge of the fabric aligned with the edges of the shade.

A close-up of a paper pattern on top of a linen textured fabric. The fabric is becoming the covering of a new lampshade.

PRO TIP: a plastic card (like a credit card) is a great help for smoothing out air bubbles.

Close-up of a lamp with a light blue fabric shade featuring overlapping pink and beige circle patterns. The lamp stands on a white base.

  • For bias-trimmed edges: Wrap the bias over the edge and secure to the inside using your heat-activated tape. Just press gently with the tip of your iron or heat tool to activate the tape.

PRO TIP: For extra durability, consider applying a couple coats of matte varnish to your fabric shade to protect against dust and allow for easy cleaning with a damp cloth.

A decorative table lamp with a white base and a light blue shade featuring circular patterns sits on a wooden surface. Behind it, there is a large, distressed round mirror and a small white decorative wall piece.

And here you have it:

lampshade collage

This is a great project to bring a designer touch and a fun decor trend into your home without spending the money they usually require!

While I was initially worried about the weight of the linen, the adhesive has proven incredibly strong and durable.

Questions? Drop them in the comments below! 

Looks easy, right? I hope it sparks a little “I could make that” spirit in you!

round image of Diane smiling next to a Signature that reads: With Joy, Diane

4 Comments

  1. Marianne

    Were there any fire retardant regulations that needed to be taken into consideration regarding the fabric used for the lampshade?

    Reply
    • admin

      Thanks for asking Marianne.

      No, because the shade is between the lampshade and the fabric – basically that is your barrier. The shades have open tops with significant space between the bulb and the shade so there is no opportunity for the heat to build up inside the shade.

      Reply
  2. How to Hang Outdoor Sheer Curtains - South House Designs

    […] Our screened porch certainly carried the entertaining weight in our last house. (sorry I don’t have good pictures of the sheers with the trees all green ?) That table lamp? It served us so well out there — made the porch a room, a very special room. You can read about how I made the lampshade. […]

    Reply
  3. How to Hang Outdoor Sheer Curtains - South House Designs

    […] Our screened porch certainly carried the entertaining weight in our last house. (sorry I don’t have good pictures of the sheers with the trees all green ?) That table lamp? It served us so well out there — made the porch a room, a very special room. You can read about how I made the lampshade. […]

    Reply

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