Looking for a fun and colorful way to reuse an old lampshade? This DIY rainbow ribbon lampshade project transforms a simple frame into a vibrant light fixture using ribbon yarn.
It’s a creative and beginner-friendly craft, ideal for anyone who loves easy upcycling projects with a pop of color.
Why This Plan Works
- A creative way to repurpose ribbon yarn and a spare lampshade
- Uses minimal tools and materials—most crafters already have them at home
- Bright, colorful, and fully customizable based on your yarn or ribbon choice
- Quick to assemble, making it a great weekend project
- Lightweight and flexible, with swaying movement that adds charm
What You Will Need
- 1 wire lampshade frame (ex: IKEA Jära)
- Ribbon yarn or semi-transparent ribbon
- Hot glue gun or E6000 glue
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Masking tape or Scotch tape
- Optional: Exacto knife (for disassembling fabric)
Step 1: Choose and Inspect the Lampshade Frame
Before anything else, confirm that the lampshade fits your lamp. Some frames may require modification. Ours had a plastic insert that needed slight trimming with a knife so it would sit properly on the lamp base.
Check the structure: a top ring connected to a larger bottom ring works best. If your lampshade has connecting wires between the rings, it may even be easier to work with.
Step 2: Disassemble the Lampshade
Measure the height of the shade before removing the fabric. You’ll want your ribbon wrap to match or exceed this height. Ours was originally 7 inches, and the finished shade came to about 7.5 to 7.75 inches.
Remove the fabric from the lampshade using scissors or an Exacto knife. Expect some sticky residue on the rings—this actually helps anchor the ribbon, so no need to clean it off.
Step 3: Reconstruct the Lampshade Frame
Temporarily secure the top and bottom rings with masking or Scotch tape. Position them the correct distance apart to match your original shade’s height.
Use four evenly spaced pieces of tape to stabilize the rings—this will form the basic skeleton for your new lampshade and make the wrapping process easier.
Step 4: Start Attaching Ribbon
Cut a long section of ribbon yarn—keeping it attached to the ball makes it hard to manage. Begin by gluing one end to the inner side of the top ring, with the long strand coming toward you.
Pull the ribbon downward and glue it to the outer bottom ring, wrapping it slightly behind. Bring it back over the lamp frame from inside to outside and glue the top again.
Make sure to glue each touchpoint where ribbon meets the ring to maintain structure and prevent unraveling.
Step 5: Wrap Carefully and Consistently
Continue wrapping the ribbon around the frame, placing each strand snugly next to the last. On the bottom ring, keep ribbons tightly packed. At the top, allow slight overlapping as needed to accommodate any difference in ring diameter.
Avoid pulling the ribbon too tight—this can shrink the height and cause the shade to tilt. Use a ruler frequently to maintain even height.
When switching to a new ribbon piece, try ending at the bottom ring and tucking the glued end inside. Then start the next piece at that same point.
Step 6: Cover the Entire Frame
Make sure all parts of the top and bottom rings are covered. Pay close attention to the areas that connect to the lamp socket—these should be concealed with ribbon and firmly glued.
Maintain a smooth wrapping motion and check your progress often to ensure even coverage and spacing.
Step 7: Finishing Touches
Once the entire frame is covered, give it a final inspection. Ensure all ribbons are glued securely and the overall shape remains balanced.
Let the glue set completely before placing the shade on your lamp.
Note: Since the structure depends entirely on the glued ribbon, every contact point needs adhesive. Without it, the shade may collapse or unravel easily.
Other Details Display
- Project Time: Approx. 1–2 hours
- Lampshade Frame: IKEA Jära
- Final Height: ~7.5 inches
- Materials Cost: Low (especially if using scraps or leftover yarn)
- Difficulty: Beginner-friendly
- Suitable Ribbon Types: Ribbon yarn, sheer ribbons, soft fabric strips
- Optional Features: Rotates slightly when touched—adds playful movement
- Room Suitability: Kids’ rooms, craft spaces, reading corners
Summary
This DIY rainbow ribbon lampshade project is a fun and simple way to breathe new life into an unused frame using leftover ribbon yarn.
The vibrant colors and movement add a whimsical touch to any room, and the entire build is approachable for beginners. Try making your own rainbow ribbon lampshade and brighten up your space with color and creativity!
This plan is a contribution by [Penolopy Bulnick]. Project Via Instructables – Get the PDF Instructions here.
