DIY: Easy Painted Retro Lampshades

Creating a unique look with easy, do it yourself retro lampshades is a fun and inexpensive project that will bring new life to any room. You don't need to be an artist - or even very crafty - to redo your décor in trendy retro fashion that will have everyone asking where you found your hip new lamps. Follow these tips and in one afternoon your room can have a whole new look.

DIY Easy Painted Retro Lampshades: Step One

The first step in creating your new look is gathering the materials you will need for this fun afternoon project. If you don't have plain lampshades on hand, you will find inexpensive options in every shape and size by browsing thrift stores, discount department stores and garage sales. For the best results, look for solid-colored, plain lampshades in light colors.

Next you will need to select the colors you would like to use and to purchase acrylic or fabric paint at your local craft store or craft thrift store. When selecting colors, consider the colors in the room, as well as popular retro colors - such as blues and greens, or oranges and browns. You will want to select at least two colors of paint, but for more variety, choose three or four hues that go together well. While you are at the craft store, pick up some sponge paint applicators in various small sizes.

You can purchase stencils at the craft store, but to save money - or just for fun - you can also use items in your pantry. The two popular retro shapes I recommend using for your lampshades are circles and rectangles in varying sizes. If you decide on circles, scour your pantry for canned goods, drinking glasses, old paper towel rolls and spice jars that will give you a variety of sizes of circles to work with. If you would rather do rectangles, look for boxed foods, cardboard milk cartons and other square and rectangular objects for a variety of stencil sizes. While I would never eat the stuff, SPAM containers are a perfect size and shape for this project.

Other items you will need are a pencil, newspaper or cardboard to protect your work surface and varnish spray.

DIY Easy Painted Retro Lampshades: Step Two