How to Make Your Own Lamp Shade for Your Dining Room Fixture

Position a step ladder under the dining room fixture and climb up onto it so that you can measure it. Place the tape measure at the bottom of the light bulb, if it hangs down, and measure up to the base of the fixture where it meets the ceiling. If your light bulb points upward, measure from the base of the bulb up to the metal harp that sits above the light bulb and supports the shade.

Open a piece of craft paper or wallpaper in the design that you want for the shade. Turn the paper so that the design faces downward.

Set a metal lampshade frame on the table and measure the height from the top to bottom. Add one-half inch to the measurement to allow enough excess to attach the paper to the frame. Then place the tape measure at the base of the frame and measure around it until reaching the starting point. Add a half inch to this measurement as well to allow for a seam.

Transfer the measurement onto the paper or wallpaper using the tape measure and a pencil to create a rectangular strip. Cut out the strip using scissors.

Open newspaper on the table to protect the surface and then lay the strip on the table with the design facing downward. Spray the back of the strip with spray adhesive, concentrating it on the edges.

Place the lamp shade frame on the end of the strip ensuring that there is a quarter-inch overlap at the top and bottom of the frame. Roll the frame all the way down the strip pushing down firmly as you do so.

Wrap the flap of paper at the top over the metal frame using your fingers and then repeat the process on the bottom of the frame to tuck that flap under the frame.

Install the lamp shade by inserting a screw or finial through the round hole and twisting the threaded end into the hole in the center of the dining room light fixture. If your dining room light has a harp, the finial or screw will screw into the hole in the harp.