DIY Desk Lamp Concepts That Received’t Price You a Fortune

In case you are searching for DIY desk lamp concepts I’ve shared just a few and just lately revamped one other desk lamp from the thrift retailer.

I like upcycling them as they’re an affordable strategy to replace house decor at a fraction of the price of shopping for a classy new desk lamp from a adorning catalog.

Desk of Contents

Learn how to Makeover a Thrift Retailer Desk Lamp Tutorial
- The place to Purchase Cheap Lamp Shades
- Learn how to Select The Proper Wattage Mild Bulb for a Desk Lamp
- Learn how to Rewire a Desk Lamp’s Socket and Twine
- Extra DIY Desk Lamp Concepts:

The proper kind of lighting – from desk lamps, ground lamps to a single pendant mild could make or break your adorning efforts. The proper lighting fixture provides drama, creates a focus and establishes a cohesive look.

For my lobby desk, I needed the look of black plaster or rustic stone based mostly desk lamps I see in adorning catalogs, however not the $300 and up price ticket. Therefore my want to make use of my creativity to DIY these types of decorator lamps by myself.

I haven’t made any DIY lamps from scratch, however have beforehand upcycled one other thrift retailer desk lamp and even a chandelier to provide every a brand new look utilizing texture paint or craft paint.

With the success of those DIY lamp tasks, together with fake stone finishes I added to a planter and a big bowl I made, accomplished every gave me the boldness to attempt updating this thrift retailer desk lamp.

Learn how to Makeover a Thrift Retailer Desk Lamp Tutorial

Of all of the DIY lamp concepts I’ve shared, this one was the simplest to do. It took about half-hour to finish and 24 to fully dry.

Right here is my lamp base inspiration. This lamp is from Artifact.

Earlier than Makeover: $7 thrift retailer lamp

I discovered this ceramic lamp base at my native thrift retailer, minus a lamp shade for $7.

I appreciated the form, however the swashes of orange and brown in addition to the fashionable look of the design weren’t my fashion… however, I’m positive anybody who likes classic or trendy decor might imagine this lamp is ideal simply the way in which it’s.

provides wanted:

Thrift retailer lamp
3 cups Prepared-Combine Concrete Patch – house enchancment retailer
Black spray paint + primer in a single
1 cup black chalk paint
1 cup white chalk paint
3 cups water
Darkish wax and rag
2 mixing containers
3″ extensive chip fashion paint brush
Stirring stick
Sponge

Time wanted: 2 hours and half-hour.

DIY Desk Lamp Makeover Utilizing Concrete Patch and Chalk Paint

Clear Desk Lamp Base
Sand lamp base with 100 grit sandpaper to tough up the floor, then clear off all sanding grit and any filth on the floor.

Let dry.
Spray Paint Desk Lamp Base
Utilizing a paint + primer in a single formulation, spray paint the lamp base utilizing a flat or satin paint in black. One mild coat shall be sufficient.

Let dry.
Combine Concrete Patch and Paint
In a separate container, combine 1 cup of black chalk paint into 3 cups of concrete patch and blend till the combination is totally black.

Add extra black chalk paint as wanted.
Apply Combination to Lamp Base
Utilizing a paint stirring stick, apply the concrete patch and black chalk paint combination over the bottom of the lamp as should you had been icing a cake.
Create Horizontal Traces
Beginning on the prime of the lamp base, run a 3″- extensive chip brush, horizontally across the lamp base by way of the concrete patch/paint combination.

Attempt to get across the lamp base in a single lengthy swipe. When you get across the prime part, transfer down on the bottom and repeat the method till you attain the underside.

Let dry.
Add White Chalk Paint Layer
Water down white chalk paint: 1 half chalk paint to six elements water. Combine properly. Brush this combination over the dried black concrete patch layer.
Dab Off White Chalk Paint
As quickly as you apply the white chalk paint, use a sponge to take away most of it to create a chalky look over the black shade.

If you happen to like the way in which the painted base seems to be, then you’re completed.
Non-obligatory: Add a Layer of Darkish Wax
To create extra depth to the end, dab a rag right into a can of darkish wax after which rub it over the lamp base in just a few areas.

Use a clear lint-free rag to take away any extra. Let dry.

I used to be proud of one layer of the darkish wax, however don’t be afraid to attempt to use extra and even use one other shade of wax or watered down paint over the black textured end.

There actually isn’t a unsuitable or proper approach. It’s extra about making a end you want.

The place to Purchase Cheap Lamp Shades

To finish my desk lamp makeover, I used a lamp shade from one other lamp I already had in my decor stash that I used to be not utilizing.

If you happen to want a brand new lamp shade in your DIY undertaking lamp, I’ve by no means been comfortable when attempting to make a cloth DIY lampshade myself.

I’ve made them, however discovered that over time, the glue or scorching glue wanted to make the material safe, breaks down from the warmth of the bulb.

Many shops solely promote shades with a lamp, however I’ve discovered the very best locations to purchase inexpensive lamp shades bought individually in all sizes is at Goal and Lowes.

Learn how to Select The Proper Wattage Mild Bulb for a Desk Lamp

When including a lamp to a room, you should definitely discover the proper kind of sunshine bulb for the fixture to carry out the fashion you added.

I selected to make use of a 100 watt smooth white bulb in my lamp and added a socket dimmer so after we don’t have to have vibrant mild within the lobby, we are able to simply dim the sunshine proper from the socket so as to add a hotter moody really feel.

There are various sorts of mild bulbs bought these days that may be added to a lamp undertaking from cool to heat mild to LED bulbs to a classic trying Edison mild bulb.

Every could make or break the look of the lamp or fixture, so experiment with just a few to see what bulb makes your lamp and room look its greatest.

Learn how to Rewire a Desk Lamp’s Socket and Twine

If you happen to discover the proper desk lamp at a thrift retailer or personal one which not works, you should buy a lamp package to rewire a lamp base. It makes it’s simple to do. You have got in all probability seen them used to make a mason jar or bottle lamp at crafts festivals and on Pinterest.

A lot of the lamp rewiring kits include a brand new socket, twine, rod and harp.

As I discussed above, think about using a dimming socket as a substitute of an everyday mild bulb socket.

A dimming socket is sweet to have in a front room when watching TV or in a eating room so as to add temper lighting when entertaining. Including one can simply be added to a desk or ground lamp and even a pendant lamp if it has an ordinary measurement socket.

Right here is how one can add a dimming socket to a lamp:

Set up a Dimmer Swap Socket on Any Lamp in Minutes

In case you are impressed to make over an outdated lamp, however are afraid to provide it a attempt, begin by experimenting with the feel compound and paints on a chunk of scrap wooden till you get a really feel for the method and colours that you just like.

When you like what you see, you’ll have extra confidence doing it on a lamp base.