DIY Rustic Table Lamp Makeover & Inexpensive Designer Dupe Lamps
A thrifted lamp gets a concrete rustic table lamp designer dupe look for $30 in 10 minutes using just spray paint.
The other day, while I was doing my usual thrift store stop in, I found the perfect contender for a rustic table lamp makeover dupe that would rival the $300-400 designer versions I’ve seen all over the place.
Table Lamp Before
Rustic Table Lamp Inspiration
Everywhere I look at McGee & Co, Amber Interiors, Stoffer Home, Lulu & Georgia, Anthropologie… all of the designer brands have some version of an earthy concrete rustic concrete table lamp.
So I set out to create a $30 dupe with just spray paint, and it literally look all of 10 minutes (not counting the wait for drying time).
By the way, I’ll drop some inexpensive designer dupe table lamps at the end of this post in case you don’t get as lucky finding one at the thrift store.
Look how cute this rustic table lamp turned out! (The pleated linen shade is starting to make a comeback this year too, by the way… just like the rest of the 80s/90s design revival it seems.)
DIY Rustic Table Lamp Using a Thrifted Ceramic Lamp
Supplies
- Rustoleum White Flat Spray Paint (I always seem to have a can of this leftover somewhere.)
- Krylon Coarse Stone Texture Paint (I used the color Travertine Tan but I think the Obsidian would look even better.)
- Krylon Fine Stone Texture Paint (I used the color Pebble)
- Optional: Krylon Clear Coat (helps improve durability)
- Painters Tape
- Aluminum Foil
- A secondhand ceramic lamp & lampshade of your choice
The Steps
- Vacuum the Shade
Before you ever paint a secondhand lamp shade, it’s best to remove the dust first or else spray painting will just create a hairy mess (literally). I use the wand attachment on my vacuum cleaner to slowly go over the shade and remove any dust.
- Tape Bulb Socket and Cover Cord
To protect the bulb socket and cord from getting any tape on them, I just tape up the bulb socket and wrap aluminum foil around the cord.
- Apply Coarse Stone Paint
It’s best to apply 2 moderate coats of the course stone spray paint to help build layers of texture.
- Apply Fine Stone Paint
Once the course stone paint has dried, apply a light coat of the fine stone paint. Apply it lightly and sporadically at least 18-24 inches away from the lamp so that some of the base coat from the Course Stone color peeks through. Let dry.
- Paint Lamp Shade
If you already like the color of your lamp shade, you can skip this part, but since I wasn’t in love with the yellowy look of my thrifted shade, I applied two coats of flat white spray paint to it. Let dry.
The Finished Rustic Table Lamp
Once it was all dry, I stuck the lamp on our bedroom dresser and it looks right at home!
I fought tooth and nail not to accept that pleated lamp shades were starting to come back into “trend”, but I have to say now that I have one, I’m really in love with that extra bit of texture on top of the rust table lamp base.
The shade still looks yellow when the bulb is on since it’s impossible to paint the yellowy portion inside of the pleats, but I think it makes it look that much cozier.
Have you ever used this texture stone paint before? I really do think I’ve found a new DIY favorite.
Table Lamp Designer Dupes
Here are a few save vs. splurge designer dupes, if you’ve been on a table lamp hunt.
Table Lamp Save – Under $120
Table Lamp Splurge – Over $120
Frequently Asked Questions
I pretty much always prefer 3000K light bulbs in living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms, but that’s entirely up to your style. 3000K to me is just the “happy medium”. It’s not too blue light daylight bulbs are, but it doesn’t cast an orange hue like warm white.
There are three ways to measure for the appropriate sized lamp shade.
1. The bottom diameter of the lamp shade should be approximately equal to the lamp base height. 2. The lamp shade height should be approximately two thirds of the height of the lamp base.
3. The lamp shade width should be approximately twice the size of the widest part of the lamp base.
Related Posts
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- Baroque Table Lamp Makeover + Olivia’s Bedroom Progress
- Shaded Chandeliers for All Budgets: Splurge vs Save
- The Best Boob Light Replacement Fixtures for All Budgets
Lauren, thanks for this update for a lamp that I would have passed by because it looked, pre-makeover, like something out of the 80’s desert pastels phase of decorating. We live in the desert and dusting is never ending, so I probably would not go for the stone look that you created. However, that lamp looks absolutely perfect in your bedroom. Finding lamp shades for used lamps can be difficult. I was lucky enough to find five Salvation Army lamps that I love and the shades were in good shape. I vacuum the shades regularly and have even taken a moist white cloth to clean lamp shades. (The cloth has to be just damp or it might leave spots on the shade.). I always look at Walmart for shades for lamps that are too damaged or discolored to use. I was amazed that you could actually paint a lamp shade. Thanks for posting this cleaver update for a lamp. I love your style; still waiting for a home accessory and furniture line from you and Robert!
I am so happy you enjoy this. Thank you for the time to share your encouraging support. It would be a dream to have a home line. 🙂
I think the shade adds a homey, cozy feel. I also like how the pinch is offset top from bottom – love it!
Lauren, I have not one, but TWO of these pottery lamps in my basement! I always really liked them but eventually tho’t they were way out of style. I cannot wait to get some of that Krylon paint and give them a make-over! I think the shades are still with them, too. I got so excited reading your post I almost went to the basement immediately, but am still in my jammies as haven’t been feeling well, guess I’ll wait ’til tomorrow. Thanks for posting this cool lamp project!
Why does the finished lamp look like the original? Your photos after, applying the spray paint, do not show the design, yet your final product still has the design.
Hi. Maybe the way the light was hitting it or maybe it took time for the ‘paint’ to set into the pattern. But, I am enjoying how I can see the original personality peek through the spray paint.
OMG, I have that lamp! I purchased it back in the early 90’s, and that is the original shade that came with it. I’ve kept it for years (shade didn’t make it) hoping I may me able to use it again and I think I will break out the paint and bring it back in from the garage.
Thank you Lauren for my trip down memory lane!
Isn’t that funny?! They say trends are cyclical every 20-30 years, so this is the proof apparently. 😉