Easy and Inexpensive Lamp Makeover
A quick, cheap and easy lamp makeover using mirror effect spray paint.
Let’s get right back into DIY mode with an easy and inexpensive lamp makeover I did on my green lamp.
We used it in the blue guest room in our house in Illinois and I loved how it looked with the turquoise painted walls, but I was ready for a change.
I bought the lamp at HomeGoods a few years ago and picked it out because of the color.
It worked well in our guest bedroom but when we moved to NC it just didn’t fit into the style that I was going for in the new house.
I was going for a lighter look in this room with blues and whites and I wanted the lamp to be an accessory, not the center of attention.
I considered buying a new one but ceramic lamps are pricey and I really liked the shape, so I decided to give it a little makeover.
I thought about going white but I wanted it to be a little different so I went for an aged mercury glass look, with a gold tone.
I’ve done it the mercury glass look before, when I made a mason jar lamp for my new kitchen in our Illinois house, so I knew that I loved the look.
What I didn’t know, though, was how well I would be able to cover the shiny green surface of the lamp.
There was only one way to find out…I just had to go for it.
Supplies for lamp makeover
- lamp
- Rustoleum Mirror Effect spray paint
- Rustoleum Gold Metallic spray paint
- Rustoleum Dark Copper Metallic spray paint
- water and vinegar solution in spray bottle (1 part water to 1 part vinegar)
- damp towel (to blot water/vinegar solution)
- painter’s tape
With the lamp cleaned up with a damp towel and the cord and socket all taped up with painter’s tape, I started my lamp makeover by spraying a light coat of Rustoleum gold metallic spray paint on the lamp.
The paint dried very quickly so, after a few minutes, I added 2 more light coats until the green disappeared.
Next, I tried out the Rustoleum Mirror Effect spray paint and the water and vinegar solution.
First, I lightly spritzed some of the water and vinegar solution on the lamp, you want it to bead up and not run down the lamp.
Then I sprayed a light coat of the Mirror Effect spray paint right over the water and vinegar solution.
I let the paint set up for about 30 seconds and used the damp paper towel to dab off the water drops.
Once I dabbed all of water off, I lightly (very lightly) sprayed a little bit of the Rustoleum Dark Copper Metallic spray paint, just to add a hint of color and texture.
See how the water and vinegar solution gives it the aged look?
After it was dry, I added a burlap shade and put it back in the room.
I’ve been adding a lot of gold touches around the house and I wanted to have some in this room, so that’s why I went with the gold metallic paint.
I could add more Mirror Effect spray if I wanted more of a silver look, but I really love the aged gold tone.
So I guess I would call this look “aged mercury glass with a gold tone”.
Sometimes you never know with these kinds of experiments, but I love how it turned out.
I think it adds a bit of warmth to this corner of the room.
Have you ever changed the look of a lamp using paint?
Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope you have a great week, my friends!
More DIY transformations using paint
I can’t always get to your posts right away but I save them for when I have a minute. I loved this make over. I have a couple of brass (rusty) lamps from the 50’s or earlier. They were my parents and I am sentimentally attached to them. I haven’t decided yet if I want to tackle this project. I feel I need to rewire them too. Right now they are a project on my list and clutter.
Thanks for sharing at Inspire Me Monday. I wanted to let you know that you are one my Favorite features this week.
Wow, thanks so much! 🙂
That turned out beautifully Kristi! I love the Mercury Glass look but have not tried to achieve it with paint… yet 😉 So pretty <3 Thanks so much for linking this up to the Inspiration Galore Project Party.
Thanks Lisa. I’m actually hooked on the mercury glass look and have done similar techniques to several other pieces. It’s turning into a problem. 😉
Love the lamps-I need to try that technique!
Thanks Jeanne! Such an easy technique and I love the way they turned out.
I love the lamp’s new look. I plan on spraying my lamps and have the supplies. Just haven’t gotten to it.
I’m really happy with the way it turned out. Would love to hear about your lamps when you get them done.
Looks amazing, thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!
Thanks so much! 🙂
Love your lamp makeover! Lamps are so expensive – great way to save money.
Thanks Melanie. You’re so right, lamps can be really expensive. I’m glad this makeover worked out and I didn’t have to buy a new one.
How many lamps have I thrown away . . . what a great idea!
Thanks Margaret!!!
OH, that’s beautiful! Everything is coming together nicely. Glad you had a great trip, but I know it will be nice to get home.
Brenda, Florida
Thanks Brenda. Slowly but surely it’s all coming together. 🙂
Looks beautiful and love that the bed is against the window! Fabulous!
Thanks Vel! I didn’t have a lot of choices when it came to bed placement but I love that there is a view.
Just stunning and exactly what I’m looking for! Am pinning this to copy and going to dig around in my stashes in the shed to see if I can find a lamp to do that to! Perfect.
Thanks Linda! I’m really thrilled with the way it turned out. Hope you can find a lamp to experiment with too.
Very pretty makeover! I love the finish. I forget how transformative spray paint can be. Thanks for the reminder Hope your trip was fabulous!
Thanks Kim. Paint is a wonderful tool for projects like this, isn’t it? I’m glad that I went for it. 😉
Our trip was fabulous but getting back to real life…not so fabulous.
I love it! I’ll have to try that sometime. Yes, I’ve spray-painted lamps, but haven’t done this. It looks great.
Brenda
Thanks Brenda. I wasn’t too sure about it when I started but I love how it turned out. I guess you just never know. 😉
Great job. Like the mason jar planters. I have two vintage lamps I want to redo sfter I settle into my new house. Did I tell you I foun a home? So excited. I can’t wait to hear about your fabulous trip.
Thanks Debbie. You did tell me about your new home and I’m so excited for you!!!