DIY Pleated Lampshade: An Easy Way to Make Any Lamp Look Expensive
There are so many beautiful lamps out there, but not all of them come with a budget friendly price tag. And sometimes you find the perfect lamp base, but the shade just doesn’t do it justice.
That’s exactly where this DIY pleated lampshade comes in.
This is an easy, beginner friendly project that instantly upgrades any lamp and makes it feel custom and a little more high end too. If you’ve ever felt intimidated by DIYs, don’t. This one is as simple as it gets. I have zero sewing experience, so I’m always looking for the easiest route, and in this case, we’re using hot glue.
It’s one of those small projects that makes a big impact, turning something basic into a piece that feels thoughtful, elevated, and completely unique to your space.
Here’s What You’ll Need:
Fabric of your choice:
How to Make a Pleated Lampshade:
Cut your fabric to the lampshade size, leaving 2 inches (or more) extra at the top and bottom.
Starting at the top edge, create a pleat, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Fold and glue, then continue working your way around, repeating the same process.
If you run out of fabric, attach a new piece where the last one ended and continue pleating as before.
For the bottom edge, space the pleats slightly farther apart and fold the fabric in the opposite direction for a more finished look.
Trim any excess fabric at the ends and glue down any loose edges to secure everything in place.
To make the trim, use leftover fabric. Add iron-on hemming tape to one side, fold it in half, and iron. Then fold and iron again with more tape to make the ‘ribbon’ a bit more stiff.
Use the ribbon to cover the seams by gluing it along both sides of the lampshade and at the ends for a polished look.
And just like that, you’ve turned a simple lamp into something that feels completely custom and uniquely yours. Not bad for a little fabric and hot glue, right?
Now, if you are not in the mood for DIY, here are a few beautiful lampshades:
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