What Kind of Paint Should You Use On a Lamp Shade? And How?

Why purchase a new lampshade when you can dress up your old one with a new coat of paint? It’s when the fabric of your lampshade starts to look dull or dingy; that you can paint it a new color that will change its appearance significantly.

Since painting a lampshade is more cost-effective it allows you to match the new décor of your room with greater precision and affordability than trying to find a new lampshade.

Given that you can use a brush to quickly add a new coat of paint or the designer paint stripes, the work can be accomplished very fast and with relatively little cost, especially if you have some leftover paint from another project to use.

Based on my experience chalk, fabric, or acrylic paint will most of the time, work best depending on the lampshade’s material. However, acrylic paint is versatile enough and can be used on lampshades made from any material.

What follows are a few detailed tips that will help you choose the right type of paint depending on the lampshade itself. Also, I will discuss the exact steps you can follow to DIY paint your lamp in the way you will like it most.

What Type of Paint to Use on Lampshades?

Lampshades are commonly made from fabric (cotton, linen, silk, polyester), paper, glass, plastic, metal (brass, aluminum, steel), natural materials (rattan, bamboo, wood veneers), and composite materials. Each material offers unique aesthetic and functional qualities, such as durability, light diffusion, and style, allowing for a wide range of design options to suit various tastes and needs.

When it’s time to redecorate, painting old and dulled-out lampshades can revitalize and personalize them, giving them a fresh, updated look without the cost of buying new ones.

Additionally, painting allows you to cover stains, discoloration, or signs of wear, extending the life of your lampshade while modernizing its appearance. When picking the type of paint, ensure that it’s best suited for the material your lampshade is created…

1- Acrylic Paint

Acrylic or fabric paint will do the best job for fabric lampshades. You can find it at arts and crafts stores. Made for decorating cloth, it is quite durable even with a hot bulb underneath. This means when it bonds with the fabric of the lampshade it does not crack over time.

Start by cleaning the lampshade, then add one layer of acrylic paint followed by another layer of darker paint with a softbrush. You can edge the lampshade by using cloth tape that provides clean lines which will accentuate the beauty of the lamp itself. But if the lampshade has a pattern, it may take several layers of paint to fully cover it.

2- Watercolor

A simple paper lampshade can be transformed into something quite colorful by using watercolors, particularly if you select iridescent watercolors. The bright colors of this paint can be easily applied with a brush over the shade that has been dusted and cleaned.

Watercolor craft paint and chalk paint are also perfect for natural materials like bamboo. It tends to be uneven in its layers, but this adds to its unique appearance. Also, keep in mind that the colors will eventually fade, but you can re-paint it quickly to create a new color combination if you desire.

3- Spray Paints

Any paint that is suitable for metal should work for your metal lampshades. However, it does help to know the type of metal, so you can find the paint that works best.

Spray paint, for example, is perfect for metals like aluminum and steel when you have some extra cans around. Matte or high gloss works fine depending on the results you want. Verdigris is also a great choice for metal lampshades, especially if you combine it with acrylic paint.

Choose the color, apply the first coat, and let it dry. Then, check the lampshade by putting it on the light, turning it on, and seeing where the first layer may be too thin. Then, spray the second coat and be sure to cover the thin areas. Two layers applied well should do the job, but you may want to add more depending on the color of the paint itself.

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How to Apply the Paint On Your Lamp Shade?

Once you have purchased the paint and the brush that may be needed, the next step is to get started. Here are the DIY steps you will need to follow…

Step 1 – Remove & Clean the Lampshade

Start by taking off the lampshade from the lamp. Most of them are attached to the lamp by a single screw at the top. Once removed, clean the lampshade of any dust, dirt, or debris.

Step 2 – Cover & Tape

You’ll want to cover the following parts of the lampshade with a plastic bag and some tape.

• Top
• All Metal Parts
• All Surfaces You Do Not Want to Paint

Plastic bags are a lot cheaper to use than just tape. But you should use masking or painter’s tape to hold the bags in place. You will also need to use painter’s tape to create the pattern on the surface that the paint will fill if you want to create a particular design.

Step 3 – Cover the Work Area

With the lampshade ready, cover the area in which you are going to paint.

If you are painting on a table or floor, then cover it with old newspapers. At least two to three layers are preferable so that none of the paint can leak through.

As a side note, be sure the area where you are going to paint is well-ventilated. Preferably, working outside is best. But if that is not possible you should open the windows and turn on a fan to keep the air moving. If you are using acrylic paint (designed for indoor use), you need not have a well-ventilated area, although that does help.

Step 4 – Place the Lampshade

Put the lampshade in the middle of the area that you have protected. You’ll want a good 12” to 18” of coverage on all sides, especially if you are using spray paint.

Remove or cover if there is anything nearby that you do not want to be touched by the paint. This is why working outside is often the best if you can get away from everything else. If you are in a garage, try to paint in the center away from the walls or objects that you do not want to be covered by the paint.

Step 5 – Spray Evenly

Now that you are ready, spray the lampshade with an even coat of paint.

Hold the spray can about 6” from the surface and move in a smooth manner. To keep it even, always work in the same movement such as left to right or up and down. Spray until you have a single even coat of paint.

Although you can use a foam or bristle brush, spray paint tends to work best for lampshades, especially when applying the initial base coat.

Step 6 – Let the Paint Dry

It will take an hour or two before the first coat will completely dry. Once dry, check the evenness of the layer by putting the lampshade back on the lamp and turning on the light.

If the coating is even and you like the way it looks, attach it to the lamp, and you are done. However, if you see any thin areas, take off the lampshade and be prepared to add a second layer noting the areas that were thin.

Step 7 – Paint by Brush

Once the base coat has been applied, if you want to brush the paint on the lampshade to achieve a particular effect, use the same technique as with the spray paint. This means applying an even coat using the same motion, either up and down or side to side. Be sure to use long strokes to create an even coat.

As with the spray paint, let it dry and test it by putting the lampshade back on the lamp and turning on the light. Note any thin areas, take off the lampshade, and apply the third coat if required.

You have now painted your old lampshade. But what if you want to add stripes or other designs to it? Let’s get into details on how you can do it…

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How to Add Stripes or Other Designs On Lampshade?

As with painting the lampshade entirely, you must remove it from the lamp first. Then place the lampshade on a smooth surface and set aside the rest of the lamp.

Step 1 – Create the Stripes or Designs

Use painter’s tape along with a pencil to map out the strips that you want for your lampshade.

A vinyl tape measure will help you get a precise, repeated measurement for your stripes. Tape one end of the vinyl tape measure to the lampshade, this will help hold it in place. Then mark all the areas to be painted with a pencil first since its markings can be erased easily if you go wrong.

Step 2 – Cover Areas Not to Be Painted

Use the tape to cover the areas that will not be painted which includes the spaces between the stripes along with the edges of the lampshade if you desire.

Remember that you should select a painter’s tape with the width necessary to cover the areas not to be painted. Double up on the tape if needed or you can purchase different widths of the tape, your choice.

For lampshades that are tapered, you may need to trim the tape so that it does taper from one side to the other for an even look.

Step 3 – Place the Lampshade & Paint

Put the lampshade in the middle of the surface which is covered. Be sure you have enough light to see the areas that you want to paint.

For stripes, applying acrylic paint with a paintbrush works best. Be sure to squeeze out the needed amount of acrylic paint onto a plastic or paper plate and use a 1” flat brush to apply the paint evenly in an up-and-down motion.

Turn the lampshade gently as you paint in the design. If you can place the lampshade on a lazy Susan it will let you rotate it easily while not having to reposition your body. Use a large, flat piece of cardboard on the lazy Susan to protect it from the paint.

Few Extra Tips for Creating Stripes and Patterns

• To create different sizes of stripes, use varied widths of paintbrushes to apply the color evenly.
• You can freehand design on the lampshade using a pencil. Once you are happy with the design, paint over it with a brush.
• Lighter colors allow more quantity of light to pass through. So, use different colors of paints to create a unique design or stripe pattern that really stands out.

If you want to create a complex design or pattern stencils may be the way to go. You can purchase some pre-made stencil designs and a stencil brush that will apply the paint better for your design.

Simply draw out the stencil on a piece of paper, cut it out, and tape it to the lampshade. Then dab some paint on it to transfer the design, but do not soak the paper because it may bleed through.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the right paint for your lampshade means creating an entirely new look both for the lamp and the room where it sits. While fabric and acrylic paint work best to provide a solid appearance to most fabric lampshades, chalk paint is perfect for a distressed antique look.

Fast, simple, and efficient, water-based acrylic paints are also non-toxic and get soaked up fast, ensuring a smooth and even finish. Plus, their quick drying time means you can enjoy your revamped lampshade in no time, adding a fresh pop of color or a stylish accent to your space without the hassle of long drying periods.