Painting a Thrift Store Lamp
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For this month’s Thrift Store Decor Tour, I’ll be painting a thrift store lamp. I planned to keep this lamp and put it in my new “home” at our recreation property. It may still happen, but I ran into a small problem. More details on that later.
As you can see, there were lamps of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Blue is my favorite color, so I was quickly drawn to this blue one. Do you see one you like better?
This is our Thrift Store Day. Be sure to check out all the projects below.
Simple Lamp Makeover
I gathered a few supplies for this simple lamp makeover, including a damp paper towel, paintbrushes, and paint.
Related Content: 100 Thrift Store Decor Ideas
Clean Your Thrift Store Lamp
Many times, thrift store items are grimy and need a heavy cleaning. Lucky for me, this lamp was just dusty. A simple dusting with a paper towel was all it needed.
As I was cleaning the lamp, I noticed the blue tape. Someone had already painted the brass lamp blue. You can see the paint was rubbing off. I could not determine what kind of paint was used on this lamp’s first makeover.
Painting a Thrift Store Lamp
When painting a thrift store lamp, choosing the right paint is important. My paint of choice these days is All In One Paint. It’s easy to apply, and it adheres well. If you’re a regular around here, you may know I typically use a roller when painting furniture. But for this thrift store lamp project, I chose a nice paintbrush.
Ugly First Coat of Paint
The first coat of paint will be a bit ugly; that is the goal. If you put too much paint on, it will also not adhere. Allow the first coat to dry thoroughly. In addition, while painting, if you miss a spot, resist the urge to touch it up while the paint is still wet. You will end up pulling off more paint than you apply.
Apply Two and a Half Coats of Paint
How do you apply two and a half coats of paint? The second coat is to get good coverage of your project. The half coat is to touch up anywhere you may have missed.
I recommend turning your project upside down to cover any nooks and crannies for that last one-half coat.
By the way, don’t you love the view from my new deck? I think we will have a quick Fall this year without abundant color.
Sometimes Plans Change
As I mentioned earlier, I ran into a small problem. I bought the shade pointed out above. The shade remained at my home, and the lamp went to “the hideaway” for its makeover. When I brought the painted lamp home, I noticed the writing on the shade was brown, not black. Painting a thrift store lamp shouldn’t need a plan b!
Refreshed Thrift Store Lamp
I grabbed a shade from another lamp to take my after photo. This shade is too large for the table that needs a lamp up at the hideaway. The lamp is resting on my latest Furniture Fixer Upper project, a damaged nightstand makeover.
I suppose I will need to go thrift shopping for a new shade. What do you think I should look for?
Update a Metal Clothes Rack with Spray Paint
Now it’s time to see seven more great makeovers from my friends.
Must See Thrift Store Makeovers
- Painting a Thrift Store Lamp (You are here, thank you.)
- Thrift Store DIY Upcycle
- Minnow Bucket Pumpkin With Dollar Tree Stencil
- Update a Rolling Cooler With Spray Paint
- Updating Fall Thrift Store Art
- DIY Velvet Pumpkins
- Boho Pumpkin with All-Natural Craft Supplies
- Vintage Wooden Bucket Makeover
love the new color of the lamp, and I want to do projects on your beautiful deck 🙂
Gail, I love that lamp base and I think you chose the right color to repaint it. Neutral is always a winner in my book. The shade, I think, will need to be neutral, too. Maybe a slightly lighter shade than the lamp base. Shape should be on the traditional side as the shape of the lamp leans that way. Good luck finding the shade at a decent price. I find them to be really over-priced unless they are thrift store finds. Thanks for sharing your project!
Love the shape of that lamp & your view from your desk is gorgeous – enjoy!!!
Gail, you are so funny worrying about brown vs. black. Everything matches these days! I love the cute lamp and can’t wait to see your hideaway decorated!
Sue
This comment got lost somewhere!!!
But, I have good news, I found the perfect shade for it at a Goodwill store yesterday. 🙂
gail
How you get any work done at all with that beautiful view to gaze at all day is beyond me 🙂 I like the new lamp color. But I am horrible at lampshade choices. Unless it comes straight from the store as part of the lamp I can never find a lampshade that looks quite right. I have a lamp I repurposed from an old thermos that I have been looking for the perfect shade for for at least 5 years!
Pam,
This comment got lost. hehehe But, I did find the perfect shade at Goodwill yesterday for my lamp. I just had to be patient.
The view? It’s only part-time. It’s at the recreational property I bought with my cousin last spring. We are very close to a move in date where I can actually spend the night there.
gail
I love the view from your deck. I’d just sit out there all day. It’s beautiful. The lamp turned out great. I have gotten rid of my lamps. The boys kept knocking them over playing and the puppy had a field day destroying what was left.