Why buy a new lamp when you can make your one-of-a-kind design? Lamps can cost an arm and a leg (you know what I mean). Lampshades alone are $20 plus and finials can cost even more than the lamp. So why not make your own? It’s super-fast and only takes a few supplies and a little creativity. Check out these thrift-store finds I transformed for under $20 …
I needed a nautical lamp for a little boy’s room that I was painting for my nonprofit organization Paint For Children. It wasn’t in the budget to purchase a new lamp so I had to get creative. I went to the local thrift store and purchased this lamp for $7 and the lamp shade for $3. Then I bought rope and glued it to the base. Here are the step-by step instructions.
(This post contains affiliate links)
Here’s what you will need to make this Nautical lamp makeover:
- A lamp (go to the thrift store or Goodwill if you don’t already have one)
- Hot Glue Gun & Sticks
- Spray Primer
- Lamp shade (Thrift Store)
- Finial
- 3/8“ Rope, 50 yards
The first thing you need to do is make sure the lamp works. I say this because I bought a lamp at a thrift store once and it didn’t work. The last thing you want to do is go through the trouble and expense of making it only to find out it’s broken.
Step #1: Clean the lamp with water and then spray paint it with primer. This will help make the glue stick.
Step #2: Apply the hot glue starting at the bottom in 6” sections so that the glue doesn’t harden before you have time to attach the rope.
Work your way around the lamp until you get to the top.

This feather lamp is so easy to make. All I did was hot glue a feather boa on to a lamp shade.
If you want to make this Coastal Lamp Makeover check out my blog post for the step-by-step tutorial
I hope you are inspired to do your own lamp makeover. I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
If you want to learn how to start making money with your hobby get the details HERE
If you want to learn DIY Tricks and Tips get my weekly blog HERE
HAPPY PAINTING
Artzy Fartzy Creations. Oh Yes you can DIY!
Best Way to Clean Oil Paint Brushes and Keep Bristles Soft
How to Clean Oil Paint Brushes the Right [...]
Quick Fix: How to Repair a Cracked Tile Floor (Without Replacing Everything)
How to Repair a Tile Floor and Make [...]
How to Create Budget-Friendly Stenciled Door Panels That Look Custom and High-End
DIY Textured Stencil Design – Door Tutorial Want to transform [...]
Ultimate Guide: How to Paint Stripes on Fabric Chairs Without Bleed-Through
How to Paint Stripes on Fabric Chair [...]
Easy Harlequin Chair Tutorial For Furniture
How to paint harlequin on a chair [...]
How to Create a Metallic Wall Finish with a Sea Sponge
Sponge metallic wall technique is the secret to [...]
Contents
Recent Reads
Popular 2026 Paint Colors
Popular 2026 paint colors are shaping up to [...]
Best DIY Painting Tools and Must-Have Products + Exactly Where I Buy Them!
Discovering the best DIY painting tools can transform your projects [...]
How to Make Faux Woodgrain Joints (Step-by-Step Tutorial)
How to make faux woodgrain joints is one of the [...]


















