DIY: Chandelier Shades & Covers
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How to make inexpensive chandelier shades and covers using decorative paper or fabric to change the look of your chandelier on a whim or seasonally.
Looking at the chandelier shade covers I made all lined up like this reminds me of the chandelier shade pages in the Ballard Designs catalog.
Ballard Designs is the best place to buy small sized shades as they have a very wide selection of patterns, style and colors. They are quite expensive though.
If you want to have pretty shades for your chandelier on a budget, then read on.
While thrift store shopping over the summer I found these 6 brand new cloth shades for .99 cents a piece. I didn’t like the color but I knew I could cover them with scrapbook paper.
You may not be able to come across the same deal I did, but here is are affordable sets of shades that cost about the same as one from Ballard Designs.
How to Make Inexpensive Chandelier Shade Covers
The right lighting can take a room from dull to brilliant. And the right shade can change the mood in an instant.
You can make these shade covers on a larger scale by using gift wrap or wallpaper in place of the scrapbook paper that I used to make my shade covers.
supplies needed:
- Chandelier shades
- Poster board
- 12″ x 12″ piece of scrapbook paper – I used both regular with paper and card stock
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Tacky glue
- Popsicle sticks
- Clear tape
- Optional:
- Beaded Crystals
- Jewelry making end pins or Beaded end straight pins
Optional: How to Make the Beaded Base for the Shades
When making a beaded shade: The poster board base acts as a buffer between the actual shade and the scrapbook paper covers. If you don’t want to add beads you don’t really need this base.
- The other reason you may want to make a base is that it stops the light from shining through the paper and changing the way the color of the paper looks when the light is on.
1. Lay poster board on work surface and roll shade to make a pattern. Use a pencil to draw the lines. I used a marker to demonstrate, but you don’t want any dark marks showing through the shade when the light is on. Cut out and use this as your template to make your shade covers.
2. Thread a pin through each crystal bead. I used 8 per shade and spaced them 2″ a part. I marked these increments on my template so I could easily mark the rest of the covers.
3. Use brand name tape or a high quality tape to tape each crystal/pin to the back side of the poster board base cover. Inexpensive tape doesn’t hold very well. Make sure each pin is secure by rubbing over the tape with your fingers.
4. For extra holding power. Tape bottom half of pin down. Bend top part of pin over taped down section and add another piece of tape. This will keep the pins from slipping out over time. (Sorry I don’t have a photo of this. Will add one soon.)
5. Turn over. It should look like this.
6. Wrap around the shade and use Tacky Glue to secure the ends to form a shade cover. This will be the base for scrapbook paper covers that can easily be changed out on a whim.
The poster board bases covering the shades.
How to Make the Scrapbook Paper Shade Covers
The shade covers are made the same way you made the poster board base.
1. Place the template right side up on the scrapbook paper. Trace around the template and cut out.
2. Use Tacky Glue to glue down the edges around the shade.
3. This glitter scrapbook paper is card stock. To make sure it dries flat use a Popsicle stick as a splint to hold the seam down along with clothespins until the glue dries. Once dried, carefully remove splint and clothespins.
Place the cover over the poster board and bead base. These are the ones I plan to use at Christmas.
I used regular weight scrapbook paper for the animal print shades. These are much easier to make than the glitter card stock as the paper is thinner and wraps around the shade easily.
I did not need to add a splint to hold it down. I just ran my finger over the seam to make sure it was flat.
A whole new decorative look for only a few dollars.
Another new look that only costs as much as the scrapbook paper. This paper would look perfect on a nursery chandelier.
The possibilities for colorful or patterned chandelier shade covers are endless. You can deck out any chandelier shade for a birthday party, the holidays, or seasonally.
The best papers to use should have an overall pattern. Stripes don’t work as well because of the curve of the shade.
When the shades are not in use, they stack nicely for easy storage.
Related Post You Might Like: How-To Make a Chandelier Chain Cover
What is the clear cover that covers the shade under the material or deco before covering? Mine are so old they are all cracked woul like to make my own coverings but would like to purchase this covering before covering them.
Hi Carol – I am not sure what clear cover you are asking about on the chandelier shade covers. Can you give me more details so I know for sure what part you are asking about? Thanks
Love this tutorial! Thank you so much!
Exactly what I was looking for! Thank you! Easy to follow instructions too!
I would like to make a chandelier shade of clear or tinted plastic(guess that’s the correct product). I want them to
be transparent. Any thoughts?
Hi Sharon – I am not sure what you could use besides acetate sheets that you can buy at the office supply store. I will have to think on it a bit more.
Was just looking for leopard lampshades for a chandelier I have for my granddaughter to be. I stumbled onto to this. THANK YOU ….GREAT IDEA…will start it this week! They will be doing her room in leopard/pink theme. It will look beautiful and I love a project!
Just stumbed across this and am thrilled to make these. Question about the glue: is there a reason to choose tacky glue over hot glue or some other type? I’m not very crafty, and am envisioning a glue disaster ahead. How long does the tacky glue take to dry? This is an awesome idea … thanks for sharing!!
HI Lisa- you can use any glue, but not hot glue. Hot glue does not dry flat – there would be ridges under the seams of the covers. Tacky glue works best because it a bit thicker and tackier than most basic glue. This helps keep the papers from slipping – the glue stays put and grabs very quickly – hence the name – tacky glue. You could use a glue stick, but I find this type of glue eventually breaks down and your covers will come apart in a few months. I hope this helps. Happy creating!
Can you buy ose small shades anywhere for cheap? Like are they at the dollar store???
Hi Lindsey – I have never seen them at the dollar store only at the thrift store and yard sales. You may be able to find them online at a good price, but I do not know of any sites, you may want to Google it and see what pops up. Lowes sells fabric ones for about $5 and around Christmas time they had paper ones – maybe check Walmart.com or Target.com and see if any pop up for an affordable price.
Hi Diane, love this idea too! I was wondering do you have an idea for turning these into sconce covers? That’s the kind of lighting I have in the kids bedrooms and would like to be able to change them as their tastes and styles change. Thanks for sharing :))
Hi Kristyn – I would have to see exactly what the sconces look like to see if you could make something similar to the chandelier shades.
I have looked EVERYWHERE for 99 cent shades. Even e bay. Most, for a set of 6, run $30 – $40. And Christmas Tree shops don’t even have them unless you are in the right place, right time. Hellllllp!
Hi Patricia – I found my set at my local thrift store. They were still in their packaging – never used. One of those great finds. To find them at the price I found mine, I think garage sales or thrift stores are your best bet. You will find them when you least expect it.
This is amazing! Thank you for sharing. Off to find some scrap paper now . . .
do you have printable ? for that product ?
This was so helpful! I used this tutorial (with a little tweak) to make these guys for my apartment! Check it out here: http://littlebitomeghan.blogspot.com/2012/07/ickbrass.html
Thank you for posting this.
Hi Meghan – They came out great – what a huge difference they make. I am going to pin your post to my Reader board on Pinterest. Thanks for sharing it with me.
Thank you so much for this amazing tutorial! Your chandelier looks great!
Where did you find the 99 cent shades?
I found them at a thrift store. I see them when thrifting all the time – sometimes they are not so nice, but these were a great find -never used. Around Christmas Lowes had paper ones. I am not sure if they still have them, but they were very inexpensive.
I just came across your blog after doing a search for chandelier shade covers. I love your blog! Can’t wait to try some of your projects!
OMG! I love this idea! I’m all about chandeliers right now and this has completely inspired me! Now if I can’t find one I absolutely love I’ll be ok b/c I know I can redo it myself! Thank you so much for sharing! :)
Hi Diane, you are one clever lady. I adore the idea you came up with and the end result is absolutely fantabulous. Congratulations. Thanks also for sharing your idea with us. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
I just wanted to let you know I featured this on my blog today :)
http://www.craftingrebellion.com
Hi, I ran across your blog when I googled DIY chandelier shades. My dining room chandelier needs a severe makeover. How easy is it to paint the chandelier? Mine is brass & about 10 years old. What kind of paint did you use? I’m so glad I found you. Thanks!
I found the paints you used. This is definitely going to be a project on my to do list! Thanks!
These are fantastic, Diane! I love the different scrapbook paper patterns available. Thank you for this!
Hi Lisa-
To me stepping in the scrapbook aisle is like how a kid feels going into a candy store. Everything looks so wonderful – the colors and patterns — irresistible, plus so affordable. I have never made a scrapbook with the papers, but enjoy finding ways to use them in creative ways around my house.
That is such a great idea! It’s so nice to be able to get more mileage out of our items. Perfectly timed post for me ;) I just did a mini makeover on my chandy and these will be so wonderful for shade replacements. Thanks for the fab idea =)
What a neat idea! These look amazing! I’d love for you to stop by for my Friday Favorites party!
Love the sparkly green shades! I have tons of scrapbook paper (from back in the day when I did those things by hand!) and this is a great way to use some of it up!
Hi Kelly-
Scrapbook paper to me is like jewelry – you can never have enough. When I am at the craft store and in the scrapbook paper aisle I find it all impossible to resist.
Love this idea, looks fab!
http://www.craftingrebellion.com
This is such a great idea! I LOVE that you can switch them out! I need to make some now! Thanks for sharing!!!
Great tutorial, and such a beautiful result. Nice work!
I love the sparkly green shades! So pretty Diane.
Hi Jennifer-
The green glitter paper was the first paper I found and is what inspired me to make the shades in the first place. It was hard standing in front of the wall of scrapbook paper and narrowing down my choice, so I bought a few :)
I LOVE the green!!
fabulous!
michele
I love, love, love this project!!! I am definitely doing this for the holidays. I even have that gorgeous sparkly paper. I can’t wait to see how they turn out. Would love for you to come share this over at Etcetorize: http://etcetorize.blogspot.com/2011/11/make-it-great-monday.html
From looking at your tutorial and the comments I’m guessing that you use the shade covers over the original shades and swap them. Is that correct? Would this work for a large shade that covers a floor lamp? I need a solution for my rotten shade. lol Like everyone was saying, I love looking at your blog too. :)
Hi Katherine-
Yes I made poster board base covers for each of the shades. For two reasons – they hold the beads and they filter out some of the light coming through the shades. The scrapbook paper covers go over the poster board bases. You don’t have to add the crystal beads to any of the scrapbook paper covers because when placed over the poster board base the beads will look like they are a part of the scrapbook covers.
You could easily make this for a larger shade that has straight lines. You could not use scrapbook paper, but wallpaper or gift wrap would work.
Ohmigosh. You’re timing is amazing. Just this weekend I decided that I a going to paint our ugly brass chandelier and was dreading trying to find new lampshades. I have the perfect scrapbook paper that will look great in the dining room. Thanks for the tutorial.
Hi Sara –
Thanks. If you ever need to buy inexpensive chandy shades I was at Lowes yesterday and saw that they just got in a huge new shipment of them. White, Ecru, Black, Red, and Brown. I guess they sell well around the holidays. .
this is such a great idea which isn’t surprising coming from you!! So glad there are those that have such creative minds like this so those of us who don’t can copy cat you! THanks for sharing!
bee blessed
mary
how awesome! I LOVE that you can have covers for every holiday or decorating style or birthday party! What a great idea!!! Thanks for sharing!
Love this idea! Have been staring at my naked, boring beige chandy covers and wondering how to spruce them up..thanks for the ideas!!
Diane, you always have such creative ideas that anyone can do! And great idea to make several designs for quick changes anytime!
Wowzer! What a fantastic idea! I love your chandy.
Diane, all of those are so pretty. I wish I had the patience to make those. Really cute.
Looks super cute and easy to do. Thanks for sharing. Hope you’re having a grand evening. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Oh what a darn good idea! I love the animal print the best. Loved the picture of them all lined up, it did look like Ballard!
Great ideas! I love all the options to choose from! Thanks for the tutorial!
LOve this!
I think the green is my favorite! so fun and such an easy transformation!
Awesome! I recover mine over and over again too! Love the tip about the beads. :)
These look great! I love how you can change them out to match your decor, holiday or mood! I also like the tip with the wood stick and clothes pins! Great job!
Marvelous tutorial, as always. Thanks for being so specific, and for taking beautiful photos that are both inspiring and instructive.
I lovin’ that leopard print one. This blog is so awesome. It’s like a dose of “happy”!
Fabulous! What a fun way to change out the look of a room with the seasons or holidays for little cost. Love…
So simple yet effective and beautiful. You’ve done it again!
You were busy, busy!! Great tutorial! xo Ashlyn
Also wanted you to know that I pinned this!!! :) Thanks!
I just looked to see where you were linking this AMAZING tutorial to. I often link to MadSkills on Mondays. It is just for tutorials and I think yours is really well done, easy to follow. When I saw the part with the popsicle sticks, I gasp!!! Seriously great idea! Yeah! thanks for the inspiration.
YOU, my dear, are AWESOME. This is an adorable way for a
quick-change for chandies….Just love this idea..going to pin…
xo bj
Oh and if you are willing go look at my dilemma with me updating my kitchen on my blog and give me your brilliant thoughts! :)
Brilliance my dear, pure brilliance! I especially love those green ones!
This is such a great idea! I need to find some .99 cent shades. Mine are ridged so wouldn’t work with the paper, darn! Love how they turned out, nice job!! :)
Oh my goodness, you have such wonderful ideas! I always look forward to browsing your blog :-) I love this idea and I like the step by step picture tutorial