Repairing a Lampshade

Written by Doris Donnerman (last updated July 4, 2022)

1

The quality of your light can be easily diminished by a damaged or broken lampshade. Lampshades are often unique and irreplaceable, so the option of going out and purchasing a new one for your beloved lamp may not be an option. Here are some basic suggestions and guidelines for repairing your lampshade.

Before you can begin your project, you will need to properly assess the damage. The two most common "ailments" lampshades experience are discoloration and the ring coming apart from the fabric portion of the shade. With a quick trip to the craft store and a few craft items laying around the house you can make this an easy fix.

If your lampshade has been discolored you will need a bleach solution, spray bottle, window and a sponge. Use a low strength bleach solution (usually about a gallon of warm water with a standard "lid" filled with Clorox bleach). Using your spray bottle, spray the fabric on the lampshade (be sure do to this away from other fabrics). You do not want your shade soaking but you want to ensure that every area has been exposed to the bleach solution. You can use a sponge to apply the solution if you feel more comfortable with that. After you have finished bleaching the shade you can place it in the sun to dry.

If the lampshade fabric has become detached from the ring that gives form to the shade, you will need a hot glue gun, some glue sticks, scissors, and double fold bias tape. Your first step is to remove the ring entirely from the shade and set it aside. Next you will cut a piece of bias tape that is approximately the same size of the ring. Working from underneath the shade you will put a little bit of glue on the upper portion of the ring and underneath the radius of the fabric. Before the glue dries you will hold the metal ring against the edges of the fabric and gently press the bias tape into place, encircling the metal and fabric portions. You may want to secure your work with clothes pins until it has dried properly.

If you do not feel comfortable fixing your lamp shade, especially if it is a family heirloom, there are a variety of restoration companies that can be found online.

Author Bio

Doris Donnerman

Doris is a jack of all trades, writing on a variety of topics. Her articles have helped enlighten and entertain thousands over the years. ...

MORE FROM DORIS

Keep Ants Away with Petroleum Jelly

A useful beauty product, petroleum jelly is also used as a barrier for ants. Smear it anywhere you see ants trailing to ...

Discover More

English Springer Spaniel

A favorite for hunting, the English Springer Spaniel is active and built for endurance. He is easily trained and skilled ...

Discover More

Troubleshooting Dishwasher Problems

Dishwashers are a great and wonderful thing to have in your kitchen, or they are when they work properly. Troubleshooting ...

Discover More

Cordless, Compact, and Powerful! DeWalt's 18-volt drill-driver kit packs a big punch in a small package, with a powerful high-performance motor tucked away inside a compact design. A great addition to the tool chest of any professional or DIYer! Check out DeWalt 18-Volt Drill/Driver Kit today!

More Home Improvement Tips

Identifying CFL Bulbs

CFLs (or compact fluorescent light bulbs) have become increasingly popular over recent years. In fact, they have become ...

Discover More

Hanging Lamps

A hanging lamp is a great way to add overhead light to an area. These lamps give a unique and beautiful look to a room.

Discover More

Italian Lighting

Each room needs the right kind of lighting. Try Italian lighting options to add to the beauty of an area.

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 9 - 0?

2014-04-27 13:54:48

Maud Dannhauser

Thank you for this great tutorial. One question please:-
My lamps' fabric is also gross. Took it off. Thats when the rings broke. Do I have to make a new cover first and then put the rings on with the bias??
Sorry I ask a lot. I am disabled with a brain problem and sometimes I need to just make sure. I appreciate your help.
The bias is the Best Ever I heard to fix the rings. Where I live we do not have a lot of craft shops and they dont stock a lot..
South Africa