How To Redo A Lamp Base

Let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like finding a hidden gem at a thrift store, especially when it’s a lamp base that’s just begging for a little TLC to shine once again. Today, I’m thrilled to share with you my latest project: how to redo a lamp base.

This is not just about saving a pretty penny, but about giving new life to something that was once overlooked. By the end of this, you’ll be equipped with all the know-how to turn that underappreciated find into the centerpiece of any room.

Whether you’re a seasoned DIY-er or a curious newbie, this journey is about adding a touch of your own personality to your home, one thrifted lamp at a time. You’ll be amazed at what a little imagination and elbow grease can achieve!

My Thrifted Lamp Finds

On a recent thrifting trip, I scored these two big table lamps. These two lamps were glossy and kind of dated looking but they worked.

Expert Thrifting Tip : Always keep a spare lightbulb in your car for those impromptu visits to a thrift store or flea market! That way you can make sure lamps are working before you buy them.

Also, they didn’t come with lampshades and the one lamp was missing the harp. But all these things didn’t bother me. Because I LOVED the overall size and shape. And I knew I could turn these dated lamps into something cool. Plus – I paid less than $7 for BOTH lamps. Seriously – I couldn’t pass this up!

I love the look of a matte, textured lamp. A lamp that looks somewhat vintage and handmade. Like an aged vase with a lampshade on top. But you will pay a fortune for these things!

I wanted to recreate this “aged” look with these two lamps and I’m in LOVE with how they turned out. It was not hard at all and I’m going to tell you exactly how I did it. If you love these textured aged lamps too, read on.

Things You’ll Need

Rustoleum Spray Paint and Primer x2 in Matte White and Matte Black
Rustoleum Stone Creations Spray Paint in Bleached Stone and Mineral Brown
80 Grit Sandpaper
Painter’s Tape

Follow these steps to makeover your lamps. Safety first! You should spray paint in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors or in an open garage. I always spray paint on a cardboard box to contain the mess and keep my grass green.

How to Redo a Lamp Base – Lamp Makeover!

Total time: 3 hours

Prepare your Lamps for Painting

Remove the lampshade and harp if there is one. Take some painter’s tape and tape off the areas that you don’t want to be painted. I taped of the socket, switch, harp holder, and base, as well as the plug and cord. Sand down your lamp base lightly to give the spray paint some areas to adhere to. Finally, take a clean, dry rag and wipe it down so it’s clean and dry.
Spray Paint your Primer First

Whatever color you want your lamp base to be, spray that color on first. (Use a primer). I wanted one lamp to be a matte-textured white and the other to be a matte textured brown/black. I spray painted one in Rustoleum Paint and Primer x2 Ultra Matte White and the other in Black.
You might think you can just spray paint the lamps in the Stone effect, but trust me – it won’t cover up what’s underneath and it will look weird. After your paint primer dries, it’s time for the textured paint. Woot!
Spray Paint the Stone Effect on Top of Primer

This is where the magic happens! I used the Stone Spray Paint in Bleached Stone for my white lamp. Spray light coats all the way around. It’s so much fun to see these lamps transforming in front of you! I used the Mineral Brown Stone paint on the black lamp. For both lamps, I used a couple of coats of the stone spray paint each. I didn’t care too much for perfection – after all – this was supposed to look worn and aged. However, be careful not to spray too much stone texture in one area. It should look somewhat even all the way around. And don’t be afraid to spray more primer paint if need be. Some of my sections looked a little weak in color so I gave them a boost with some extra primer. Let your lamp dry overnight.
Remove Painter’s Tape and Attach Lampshades

If you purchased a lamp with missing parts, as mine did, you might be wondering where you get spare lamp parts? I needed a harp and a finial for the top. Luckily, Home Depot and Lowe’s sell a ton of lamps parts fairly cheap, for under $5. And they always seem to be in stock. They also sell lampshades at decent prices, but you can try HomeGoods, Etsy, Amazon and Target as well.

Tutorial Photo Gallery

Final Result

I am so happy with how they look! All in, these lamps cost me less than $20 each for everything, including the shades.

To get a nice large lamp for this price is crazy! This is your little nudge to check out the thrift stores and flea markets near you. Here are some other thrift store items you don’t want to overlook. You can complete this project in a weekend and have an almost brand new, beautiful lamp for your rooms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best brand of spray paint to use?

I almost exclusively use Rustoleum Paint and Primer spray paint for all my projects. It works with a variety of surfaces and comes in lots of different colors. I find the coverage to be great.

Any tips on how to redo a lampshade?

Yes, try a DIY pleated lampshade! You can make one from an existing lampshade by using your favorite fabric and some hot glue!

How to Redo a Lamp Base – Thrift Store Lamp Makeover

My Thrifted Lamp Finds

Things You’ll Need