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
Your lamp turned out fabulous, just as knew it would. Love so many of the other lamps you posted. Thanks!
So sorry, but I still can’t do much responding to emails fir now, due to the sudden death of my husband.
Oh I’m so sorry to hear that, Ivory! Praying for and thinking of you right now!
I am in love with this lamp and your green quilt as well! Where did you get the quilt?
Hi, Laura! Thank you! Here is the link for the quilt. https://rstyle.me/+aPoZborW3cJhtm5plZlw0w
Great lamp! I wish that I had found it! Reminds me of a Native American basket! Good job on the makeover!
I’m wondering why you think it would be impossible to paint the inside of the shade. LED bulbs are inexpensive now and don’t produce heat like incandescents. You could safely use the same paint on the outside and the inside of the shade if your bulb was LED.
Love your new-to-you make-over lamp – looks great. Not a fan of pleated shades though. They are difficult to keep clean and I much prefer a cleaner line – let that round textured base be the shining star – imho. Making over lamps is such a frugal way to change up things without breaking the bank.
Hope to see lots more before/afters. Love your style.; Have a great weekend.