Looking for a fun project to help add some pizzazz to your rooms? Consider taking a bland old lampshade and turning it into a colorful centerpiece! This fun project can be done in only a few hours, and it can change the way your room looks right away.

What You'll Need

Your painted lampshade can be as simple or complex as you want it to be, but here are a few items that you will want to have on hand before you begin:

  • A Lampshade
  • Pencil and Eraser
  • Felt tip marker
  • Several colors of paint in latex and watercolor
  • Paint brushes in various sizes
  • Stencils or Cardstock to make templates with

Getting Started

Before you begin, make sure you have plenty of space to work, and you might want to lay down newspaper or a tablecloth to protect your work area. Next, decide on a base color for your lampshade. The color you choose for the background should be made using a watercolor paint and plenty of water. You don't want the background shade to go on too thick because it will block out your light. Instead, go for something light and airy like yellows or baby blues. 

Go ahead and cover the entire lampshade with that color and let it sit to dry for a little while. Watercolor paints tend to dry quickly, so you shouldn't need very much down time. 

Choose Your Pattern and Colors

Now that your background is completed, it's time to decide on a pattern that you want to decorate with, and the major accent colors you will use. You can draw inspiration from the other furniture in your room, or look outside for bright examples. Get out your pencil and eraser and sketch out the pattern you would like to use. If you make a mistake, you can always erase it and try again. Stencils or Cardstock templates can also come in handy if you're not comfortable drawing by hand. Common themes include flowers, leaves, abstract shapes, and more!

Once you've settled on your pattern, the next step is to use your felt tip marker to go over the design so it will be clearly outlined. Work slowly and give yourself plenty of time to move all the way around the lampshade. 

Fill in Your Design

With your design in place, it's time to add the finishing touches. Use your latex paints in the accent colors you chose to fill in your design. Focus on the details and don't overdo the paint because you want the light to shine through all the colors for the best effect. 

That's all there is to painting your very own lampshade to update your home decor! It only takes an afternoon but it can bring tons of fun new possibilities to any room!