How to Cover an Ugly Lamp Shade with Fabric

There’s nothing better than finding a gorgeous thrift store lamp…until you get home and realize the big, brown lamp shade is keeping it stuck in another decade. That was exactly the case with this beautiful Hollywood Regency-style brass lamp I found at my favorite Savers. The base had so much character, but the lamp shade screamed 1970s and definitely wasn’t my style.

Instead of passing it up or searching for an expensive replacement, I decided to give the existing shade a makeover. Covering the lamp shade with fabric completely transformed the lamp! It made it look like a custom piece that fits perfectly with my home decor.

If you’ve found a lamp with great bones but an outdated shade, this tutorial will show you exactly how to cover an ugly lamp shade with fabric.

How to Cover a Lamp Shade

I bought this collection of fabrics on Etsy and, luckily, found a nearly matching bias tape at the fabric store. And if it looks familiar, it’s because it’s the same fabric I used to cover the picture mats in my thrifted frames!

Step 1: Clean the Lamp Shade

In order for the spray glue to work, you want to give it a clean surface to stick to.

My lamp is 40-50 years old, so it had several layers of dust and grime on it. I gave it a good wipe with a wet rag before I got started.

Step 2: Iron & Cut the Fabric

Any time you’re working the fabric, your first step is usually ironing. It’s not fun, but your project will look so much better without wrinkles or creases in it!

Thankfully, my lampshade is fairly straight. It is slightly wider at the bottom than it is at the top, but it doesn’t have any dramatic curves. So, I skipped making a paper template before cutting my fabric.

First, I wrapped the fabric around the lamp shade and marked the width of the fabric that I needed. I used chip clips to hold the fabric on the lamp shade. (A little janky, but it worked.)

Cut your fabric 1-2 inches wider than necessary. You will need the extra length to overlap and fold at the seam where your fabric meets.

Then cut your fabric to the correct length, leaving about 1/2″ of extra fabric on each end. You will need this extra length to wrap around the top and bottom of the lamp shade.

Step 3: Glue the Fabric on the Lamp Shade

After your fabric is cut, it’s ready to be glued on the lamp shade. (You might want to lay down an old towel to cover your counter or table to protect it from overspray.)

I started gluing my fabric on the seam that already existed on the lamp shade. Spray an even coating of glue down the length of the lamp shade. Lay your fabric on top of the glue and smooth it down. (Make sure you leave 1/2″ of fabric sticking off of the the top and bottom of the lamp shade.)

Then working in 4-6 inch sections spray the glue and smooth down the fabric. It’s helpful to have an extra pair of hands for this.

Make sure you keep the fabric straight as you turn the lamp shade.

When you get the fabric all the way around the lamp shade and you’re back to where you started, fold and glue the end to make a hem. I used the fabric glue to keep my fold in place. Then glue the ‘hemmed’ fabric to the lamp shade.

Step 4: Fold & Glue the Top and Bottom

Once the lamp shade is covered, you need to address the extra fabric at the top and bottom.

Fold the fabric around the edge and glue it to the inside of the lamp shade. I used the spray glue for this and worked in small sections.

Step 5: Attach the Bias Tape

Once the fabric is all glued down, it’s time to attach the bias tape. Just like with the fabric, start at the seam.

Place the center of the bias tape on the edge of the lamp shade and glue one side to the outside of the lamp shade and one side of the bias tape to the inside of the lamp shade.

I used fabric glue for this step because it’s less messy than the spray glue.

When you have glued the bias tape all the way around the lamp shade make a hem the same way you did with fabric.

And you’re done!

You can re-cover the inside of the lamp shade if you want. I didn’t have enough fabric left over. So, I just left the splattered pattern as a nod to it’s 70s roots.

Covering a lamp shade with fabric is one of those DIY projects that proves you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a custom look. Instead of replacing an outdated shade, you can completely transform it with fabric that matches your style. It’s an easy way to breathe new life into a thrift store find while keeping perfectly usable pieces out of the landfill.

I love how this lamp turned out! The elegant trophy base finally gets the attention it deserves, and the new fabric shade makes the whole lamp feel timeless instead of dated. If you’ve been passing up beautiful thrifted lamps because of their ugly shades, I hope this tutorial helps you see their potential. Sometimes all it takes is a little fabric to turn a forgotten thrift store find into one of your favorite pieces of home decor.