How to Make a Lamp Shade for a Ceiling Fixture

Custom lamp shades decrease light intensity and complement home décor. Ceiling fixture lamp shades are commercially available but are often pricy and may not fit odd sizes. You can make your own drum-style lamp shade for a fraction of the cost using materials available at craft stores.

Measuring tape
Circular lampshade frame, large enough to fit over your light fixture
Pressure-sensitive styrene
Decorative lampshade fabric
Fabric glue
Clamp-style clothespins
Ribbon

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the circumference and height of the lampshade frame.
- 2
  Cut out a piece of styrene as long as the frame’s circumference and as wide as the frame is tall. This is the lampshade’s diffuser.
- 3
  Peel off the styrene’s adhesive backing and stick it onto the wrong side of the fabric. Cut out the fabric to make the lampshade’s cover.
- 4
  Apply fabric glue to the lampshade frame. Wrap the lampshade cover around the frame with the right side of the fabric out. Hold the fabric in place with clothespins and let the glue dry thoroughly. This should take about 20 minutes.
- 5
  Cut three pieces of ribbon, two equal to the lampshade’s circumference and one equal to the lampshade’s height.
- 6
  Take the ribbon equal to the lampshade’s height and glue it over the lampshade cover’s seam. Fold the two other pieces of ribbon in two lengthwise and glue them over the top and bottom rims of the lampshade. Hold the ribbon in place with clothespins and wait for the glue to dry.
- 7
  Remove the light fixture’s current cover. Place the lampshade around the light and secure it in place with the hardware used to hold the old cover in place.

How to Add a Touch Control Lamp Switch on to a Lamp

Light Fixtures for a Victorian Fan

Lighting