Easy Lamp Makeover

When I was out on a Walmart stock-up run a few weeks back I raced by a clearance aisle. I had to make a U-turn because I spotted a lamp sitting there lonely on the top shelf way down at the end (one good thing about being tall is I can always reach!).

It was definitely too dark for my decor but I loved the shape and knew that I could give this lamp an easy makeover with a little bit of paint and make it look like an expensive lamp.

The best part was this gem was marked down from almost $30 to 5 bucks!!

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Before

Painting the Lamp

Now, the fun part…figuring out how I wanted to paint it. It’s going on my entryway table by my front door so I wanted a coastal/cottage vibe.

I was thinking about the look of driftwood as my inspiration.

I painted the lamp with a coat of “Castle” which is a sandy brown shade of chalk paint. I let it dry.

Next, I dry brushed a little of the “Java” which is a dark brown shade.

Dry brushing is a painting technique where you want almost all the paint gone from your brush before you use it.

I painted along the natural shape of the lamp adding color here and there to pick up the details of the lamp.

How to Dry Brush:

• Dip the end of the bristles of a straight-edged brush into the paint
• Using a piece of newspaper or a paper plate, brush off most of the paint until the bristles are almost “dry”
• Make light brush strokes across your piece; follow the grain of the wood.

A little metallic silver chalk paint was dry-brushed on to add a few highlights.

Adding Wax

I finished my lamp with a coat of Behr White Wax…I didn’t even know white wax was a thing until I saw one of my talented Instagram friends use it for a furniture makeover.

Finished Easy Lamp Makeover

I used a lampshade I already had on hand that worked out perfectly. I put the made-over lamp on my entryway table with a vase of faux white peonies.

more budget-friendly diy projects to try

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My Favorite Summer Project Ideas

How to Make A Patriotic Summer Door Basket

How To Make a “Sea Glass” Beaded Rope Garland

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