Embellishing a Lampshade for a Boy

All Those Ties

• Give new life to the old ties hanging in the back of your closet. Coordinate them by color using bright contrasting patterns or choose different hues of a single color for a more subdued, innovative lampshade design. Drape them over the lampshade, stapling them to the inside of the top rim and trimming the excess. Allow the tips to dangle just below the edge of the shade. Create a lampshade that holds sentimental value by using ties passed down from parents, grandparents, uncles and other close family members.

Wallpaper Shades

• Wallpaper comes in a wide array of colors and designs. Chevron and other geometric patterns are optimal for older boys' rooms, while fairy tale and super-hero designs often please younger children. Once you've decided upon an acceptable design, measure the lampshade and cut the wallpaper, allowing for an overlap of 1 inch at the top and bottom. Carefully adhere the wallpaper to the shade with glue, using clothespins to hold the edges in place until completely dry. After it's completely dry, trim the edges with a razor or utility knife. Add trim around both the bottom and top edges of the shade if desired.

Picture Perfect

• Photos that include him participating in various activities with friends and family transform into home decor that your boy will treasure for years. Print black-and-white copies of his favorite pictures onto photo paper. Decoupage the images onto your lampshade and allow them to dry completely before using the lamp.

Racetrack Lampshade

• Turn your little boy's lampshade into a racetrack in less than an hour. Use a black lampshade or paint an old one with black fabric paint. Cut 1-inch long rectangles of white felt and hot glue the pieces around the circumference of the shade, spacing them to mimic highway stripes. Hot glue small metal and plastic cars to swatches of cardboard that will remain hidden beneath the toy cars. After the glue is dry, hot glue the bottom of the cardboard to the racetrack lampshade, completing your design.

Creepy Crawly Fun

• Many boys have a penchant for insects and amphibians. Add creepy-crawly embellishments to a boy's lampshade with simple craft paper cutouts. Cut out creatures such as spiders and worms from magazines and old books; glue them to the lining or inside of the lampshade. When the lamp is switched on, the creepy creatures look like dark shadowy critters against the light.