Funky Thrift Store Lamp Makeover

If you see a boring old lamp at a thrift store, you may not want to pass it up next time! Watch me do a Funky Thrift Store Lamp Makeover, and you’ll never look at a lamp the same way ever again! This is one Thrift Store Flip you are not gonna want to miss!

2 sheets of rice paper printables, a white plain lampshade, and the thrift store lamp after the makeover.

I have had this lamp up in my closet for MONTHS. Like 8 months at least! Today, it finally got the makeover of a lifetime! This is one Thrift Store Lamp Makeover that will have you searching your local thrift shops for the perfect lamp!

White plain lamp with lampshade sitting on a table.

Ever since I discovered printables from Cathy at Digital Deco Designs I have been literally obsessed. I’m telling ya, go check them out for yourself and I dare you to not get addicted!

I have been craving making over something larger like a piece of furniture with her prints, but the problem is I have literally zero room in my apartment for anything at all, let alone another piece of furniture! But I NEEDED to do more than just a regular craft with her prints. Like, I had to.

Thrift Store Lamp Flip. Makeover of a white lampshade with rice paper printables decoupaged onto the shade with black pom pom trim around the bottom and pearl strips up the side with pearl beads.

So off to the Thrifters Row I went (Main St. here where there are about 6 Thrift stores all on the same street within a 1 mile radius – I named it myself LOL) When I saw this plain (kind of small) lamp it spoke to me and for a whopping $4.50, I couldn’t ignore it.

But then, it went up in my closet and I have been meaning to do something with it for months! I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do with it, or what prints I wanted to use, so I think that’s why I procrastinated finally doing something with it because I couldn’t decide…..until today!

2 sheets of rice paper printables, one is black and white checks with a bee with a crown on its head and roses, the other is leopard print with flowers and greenery.

The prints I ended up going with were super fun and funky and will look just perfect in my bedroom. I chose “Royal Funky Queen Bee” and “Ivory Rose Safari“.

I have the digital download subscription, so I download and print them onto rice paper at home from my regular printer, but she offers print and ship as well for those that may not have a printer. Either way, once you start Mod Podging rice paper, you can’t stop!

This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a cent more!)

Supplies Needed to Make Over a Thrift Store Lamp

“Funky Queen Bee” Digital Deco Designs print x 2 sheets (Digital Download) or (Physical Print)
“Ivory Rose Safari” Digital Deco Designs print x 2 sheets (Digital Download) or (Physical Print)
Lampshade
Black pom pom trim
Pearl strip adhesive
Pearl beads
Mod Podge
Hot glue gun

How to flip a Thrift Store Lamp

I jazzed up this ‘ole thrift store lamp on video, so you can WATCH me do it HERE or click on the picture right below.

Amanda holding the completed thrift store lamp makeover on a Facebook live.

Watch the video here

After much deliberation, I decided to dazzle up only the shade of this Thrift Store Lamp. I started by tracing the shape of each side of the lampshade onto the back of my rice paper printable, and cutting them out.

I then used a heavy coat of Mod Podge slapped those babies right on each side, and then used my Brayer to smooth them out. I chose to alternate the prints, so on once side I put “Royal Funky Queen Bee”….

The one side of the lampshade with the "Royal Funky Queen Bee" rice paper printable decoupaged to it. I has black and white checks with a bee with a crown on its head and roses.

And on the other side I put “Ivory Rose Safari”…

The other side of the lampshade with the "Ivory Rose Safari" rice paper printable decoupaged to it, it has leopard print with flowers and greenery.

I then used a small thin strip of pearl adhesive to go up the side of each corner where the two prints meet, so that it’s a seamless transition!

The side of the lampshade where the two prints meet with a strip of pearl adhesive running up the side.

This next part was highly debated while I made this Live on FB, but I decided to do it anyway. I added a single pearl bead to the top on each corner. I almost added an entire rim of pearls, but I decided it may be “too much”. If you don’t like the pearls at the top, then you could totally leave them off of your lamp if you remake one!

4 pearls glued to the top 4 corners of the lampshade.

Last but certainly not least (perhaps my very fave part), I added a black pom pom trim all along the bottom edge of the lamp. I think this absolutely MAKES this Thrift Store Lamp and takes it to a new level!

Here she is in all her glamorous glory!

I contemplated adding some leopard or Zebra to the bottom part, but ultimately decided “less is more” and left it as is, and I’m so happy I did! It looks just perfect on my dresser in my bedroom.

Thrift Store Lamp Flip, the completed project sitting on a bookshelf with e Drama face, a "love the wine your with" shelf sitter and a Zebra mirror on the wall.

Are you going to make over an item that you found thrifting? Shoot…are you gonna make over any items at all?! If you do, I’d love to see it! Pop on over to our free Craftspiration Facebook group, and join in on the fun by posting a pic of your Tiered Trays, DIY’s and crafts. I just love to see all your creative and crafty creations!

If you love a good Thrift Store Flip, check out what I did with this Chunky Candlestick that I found thrifting too!

If you’ve got a million projects on your crafting ‘to-do’ list like I do, than you need my FREE Craft Project Planner so you can plan to make *all the things*! When you sign up for the craft planner, I’ll also send you lot’s of fun, easy, and budget friendly ideas for you to fill it up with!