When we found this retro style gooseneck lamp at the thrift store, little did I know there was a lampshade makeover DIY in store! I love the orange colour so was going to use it as is for craft studio lighting! But I couldn’t help tweaking it just a bit!

While our lampshade makeover diy has a retro vibe, you could easily do this project with any style lamp or lampshade.

International Bloggers Club
It’s time for another International Bloggers Club (IBC) challenge and this month our theme is Cardboard Creations. The IBC is a group from all over the world who challenge each other every month to make something using a common theme. Our previous challenge was ‘All Bottled Up‘ and we created this unique diy air plant holder!

You’ll find our friends’ upcycled bottle ideas at the bottom of the post. So don’t forget to check them out before you go. And if you don’t have time to browse today, pop back in later in the week to pick up where you left off.

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Tissue Box Crafts

You’re probably not thinking about tissue box crafts when you’re purchasing your paper products and until now, I didn’t either. However, I do make Hubs move mountains just to get at the pretty boxes I want :). Do you do that too? Anyway, I was just about to recycle this tissue box, when I noticed just how beautiful it is. Tissue box artwork can be amazing, so why let it go to waste?

I love working with cardboard (like this cardboard art). But if you’re looking for easy things to make out of cardboard, it doesn’t get easier than this lampshade makeover.

Watch This Quick Video!

Watch this quick video to see just how easy this project is!

https://youtu.be/L_ngj-ULRnk&list=UULFLNXKw5KKciUho-ox3sUj3Q

How to Cover a Lampshade with Cardboard

Safety Note: 

1. Only use an LED bulb for this project
2. Do not cover ventilation holes in the lampshade (more about that later)

Materials

• A19 non dimmable LED light bulb (daylight) or soft white are two colours I like. Also be sure to purchase the base that fits your particular lamp (ie an A12 for candelabra size if that’s the bulb your lamp requires).
• Empty tissue box
• 3/4″ circle punch
• Glue tape (this one is a permanent bond). I find the ones from the dollar store tend to break.

Lampshade Makeover DIY

1. Flatten Tissue Box

To capture all that beautiful pattern, we’re going to cover the lampshade with cardboard circles! But first, you’ll have to carefully pull apart the box and flatten it.

2. Punch Cardboard Circles

I’m using a 3/4″ punch to create the cardboard circles. This ‘rabbit’ is from bygone days when I was fashion designer. But any sturdy 3/4″ circle cutter will do.

These circle cutouts are going to be so pretty once combined! If they work on a tissue box, they’ll certainly work on this diy lampshade makeover!

Carefully remove the plastic from the back; the glue does not stick well to the plastic if you leave it on.

Punch everything you possibly can, with the exception of any parts without pattern.

3. Punch Starter Row

For the starter row, I’m taking advantage of the natural bend in the box by letting the crease fall in the middle of the cardboard circle.

4. Apply First Row

Apply the first row of cardboard circles with the crease falling along the edge of the metal lampshade.

To secure them, I initially think that double side tape will do the job but it doesn’t stick well. Translucent tape with adhesive on both sides, like you see below, is one that doesn’t work for this application.

What you actually need is tape glue; it dispenses a thin layer of adhesive only.

I only apply glue on the back side of the cardboard to the very top of the circle; no need to glue any more than that. Learning to apply it takes some getting use to, so practice the technique first.

The one I buy from the dollar store immediately unravels which makes it impossible to use, so purchase a better brand like this one. It’s better to spend the extra money so you get one that actually works. There’s nothing worse than trying to manually transfer the glue from the sheet of film (trust me on that)!

Position them edge to edge as tight as they can go.

Sixteen cardboard circles fit perfectly around this lampshade makeover diy! However the second row is a bit of a challenge.

Remaining Rows of Cardboard Circles

I had to remove the subsequent rows, not once but twice! I find that’s just how it is for the first few days after the time change. Does the move to Daylight Savings time discombobulate you too?

Here’s how to do the second row with a proper stagger. Position the bottom of the circle against the edge of the lampshade in between two circles in the preceding row. Then ensure the circle is centred – envision an imaginary line. Don’t worry that you still see an orange gap. On the remaining rows that gap may getting bigger or smaller. But it doesn’t matter because that gap gets covered up on the next row.

Then the only thing different on the 3rd, and subsequent rows, is that the bottom of the circle should be touching the top of the circle from the previous row, as you see below.

Continue on in that manner for 9 rows.

Then stop. The reason for stopping is that you don’t want to cover up the vent holes with cardboard; even an LED bulb has to ‘breathe’. Ironically, I ran out of cardboard squares so the timing couldn’t be more perfect!

Here’s a closeup of the cardboard circle embellishment. Because of the curve of the lampshade, you won’t even notice that your pattern doesn’t continue all the way. All you notice is the cool scallop effect.

LED Bulb for Lampshade Makeover DIY

Please craft responsibly by inserting an LED bulb into the gooseneck lamp. If all you have is an incandescent bulb, don’t use it – cardboard and heat do not mix.

Before and After Lampshade Makeover DIY

Here’s a reminder of the before.

And now? Would you have guessed what our lampshade makeover DIY is made from?

We have one more unique idea on how to cover a lampshade (this one’s a slipcover so you can change it on a whim)! However, visit our lighting upcycles category for more unique lighting ideas.

Pin Lampshade Makeover DIY

Pinning is always welcome and appreciated.

IBC Bottled Up Challenge

Want more cardboard ideas? Don’t forget to visit these awesome ‘Cardboard Creations‘ projects from our creative friends below. You’re in for some incredibly fun and creative diy cardboard ideas!

1. Kippi at Home – DIY Yarn Carrots
2. Interior Frugalista – Easy Cardboard Tube Spring Napkin Rings
3. A Crafty Mix – Upcycled Cardboard Vase
4. Unique Creations By Anita – Cardboard Bust
5. Birdz of a Feather – Lampshade Makeover DIY (that’s us!)