How to Make a Unique Paper Lampshade

If you want a unique and pretty lampshade that also doesn't break the bank, then you should gather up 2 sheets of your favorite paper and make this cute paper lampshade. It will dress up any room and give it an edgy, non-traditional look. Not bad considering it will take you only 10 minutes and the materials are probably already in your house. Ready, get set, go!

Materials - 2 pieces of pretty 12 x 12 paper (I found a big pack at Ross for $5); scissors ($2); clear tape ($1); clear Contact paper ($5.68); pencil ($0.50)

Time - 10 minutes

Note: For the base, I just used an ugly brass colored one that I already had. I spray painted it white with Krylon Fusion spray paint. 

***Thanks for reading! You can see more athttp://31diy.blogspot.com.***

Step 1: Tape 2 Pieces of Pretty Paper Together on One Side.

Flip it around and tape the outside, so that you are reinforcing both sides of the paper. 

(FYI: When you are choosing the pieces of paper, hold them up to the light to see if you still like how they look.)

Step 2: Tape the Other Side of the Pieces of Paper Together to Form a Cylinder.�

Step 3: Place the Cylinder on Top of the Clear Contact Paper, and Draw a Circle Onto the Contact Paper That Is About an Inch Wider Than the Base of the Cylinder.

Step 4: Cut Out the Circle and Remove the Backing.

Then cut slits (~1 inch) in the contact paper all the way around the circle. 

Step 5: Place the Circle of Contact Paper on Top of the Cylinder, and Gently Fold Down the Pieces of Contact Paper All the Way Around.

This is what will hold up the paper shade.

Step 6: There You Go! That's All There Is to It!

Comments

[westfw]

You might want to consider some sort of fireproofing. I've seen or heard of several types of lamps failing in ways that emitted sparks...

[mwehmeier]

Totally agree with you. No above the bulb area should ever be completely enclosed. Heat build up and fire danger is high this way. Years ago I took a Paper Lampshade and painting class where they warned us relying on tapes of adhesives like the way this is enclosed is dangerous.

Love the idea, and it's great to start, but Lauren you would be safer to glue it to a lamp ring.

[31diy]

That's a good point. I would at least recommend that no one leave the light on when away from home. Also, make sure the bulb you're using does not exceed the maximum watts printed on the lamp base. That is a fire hazard regardless of the lampshade.

[tinker234]

hey could i make a circle one and paint it like a planet

[princess atiitude]

hey the method was quiet easy and i followed but i got stucked in one step. when the contact sheet z attaced to the paer sheet ,how we are going to attach this upper paper cylinder to the brass atand???plz ans.

[31diy]

Hi! So glad you tried this! You need to make sure the lamp base has a harp on it. That way, the contact paper rests on the metal harp and doesn't touch the light bulb. I explain this in a bit better detail on my blog here: http://31diy.blogspot.com/2010/07/tutorial-how-to-make-unique-paper.html

Good luck! Let me know if you have any other questions. ;)

Lauren