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Lining Lampshades with Metallic Paper

I love the little extra glimmer that metallic lined lampshades add to a room. I had a pair of drum shades from Target that I dyed mint green but they still needed a little something. I picked up a couple of sheets of adhesive-backed silver metallic paper at Utrecht Art Supply for $3 or $4…

I love the little extra glimmer that metallic lined lampshades add to a room.

I had a pair of drum shades from Target that I dyed mint green but they still needed a little something. I picked up a couple of sheets of adhesive-backed silver metallic paper at Utrecht Art Supply for $3 or $4 a sheet. I think if I do this project again though, I’ll try this contact paper.

The general idea is really easy. Lay your drum shade down on the back of the paper, lining up the bottom of your shade with the bottom of the paper. Put a little piece of tape down to keep the shade and paper together.

Trace the edge of the shade while you roll so you can get the curve of the shade just right. Do the same for the other edge.

Then cut out the template, but cut about 1/4″ inside the line so that the liner easily fits inside the lip of your shade.

Then just place it like a big sticker inside the shade, but be sure to start the paper on the seam of your shade if there is one. Smooth out any air bubbles with your hand or a credit card.

It’s a ridiculously easy project, but I love the sparkle!!

Have you tried any similar projects? Anyone seen the silver contact paper in person? Is it as bright as my artist paper?


PS I did a round up of REALLY cheap lamps over on Babble. Check it out here. Can you believe this chic little number is only $15???

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47 thoughts on “Lining Lampshades with Metallic Paper

  1. Hi LindaB –

    I wish I could remember the exact name of the paper, but there really wasn't one. I just went into the store (I'm sure Blick or Pearl would have it too) and asked for an adhesive-backed metallic paper. The silver paper is very glass-like. I could see my reflection. Sorry, hope that helps! Good luck!

  2. Boops – My liner handles the heat perfectly. No issues there at all with my shade. Can't vouch for smaller shades, but I can't imagine there would be a big problem. Good luck!

  3. Love this! And I have some of the silver metallic paper! Looks like I will be checking out all the lamps around my house to see which one I can use it on. :-)

  4. I just bought this awesome mercury glass lamp this weekend, and I was wishing it had metallic lining inside! I'll have to try to add it myself. Thanks!

  5. Ok…I just bought metallic gold paint for the inside shade of my bedroom lamp. Now I'm retinking it! Should I line it instead? Is there a reason you didn't just paint it? It's a PB shade so it's not a throw away if it doesn't work out kinda thing. Thoughts???
    Thank you!

  6. Hi Tracy!

    The paper is highly reflective – almost like a mirror. Paint would be a pretty contrast, but it wouldn't be nearly as reflective.

    xx

  7. Jerith, you're in luck! I actually did this project more than two months ago. The paper is holding up beautifully. No bubbling or heat marks! Two thumbs up.
    j

  8. Thanks for this post. I'd seen a couple of gold lined shades in inspiration pics and now have no excuse not to do it!

  9. I just painted the inside of my black drum shades with gold metallic….waiting for it all to dry before reassembling lamp, but so far it's amazing! (if I do say so myself!) :)

    Yours, as always, looks great!

  10. This is such a great idea! I never would have thought to do this. Love you choice of the silver metallic. Would also be fun to have a solid lamp shade and then a pattern inside! Bookmarking this!

  11. I love your site! Just recently discovered it and I am totally hooked! I’d love to try this project but I can’t find the silver paper. Even tried the online Utrect Art Supply store. Can you give me an exact name of the product? Thanks.

  12. I LOVE the look of the your shade with the metallic paper. I just read about glitter spray paint by Krylon called Glitter Blast (on Vintage Revivals)….hmmmm imagine the possibilities a glittery metallicy slice of decorating heaven

  13. It looks fabulous! Great idea! I don't think you would be as pleased with the stainless steel silver contact paper. I used it to line cabinets, and as the name implies, it has more of a stainless steel look (with striations) and isn't as reflective.

  14. Okay, I'm in love with this idea. At first I thought you were going to cover the outside of the shade with the metallic and I was curious to see how it turned out. Love the lining, great idea!

  15. Jenny are you going to source the lamps you posted about on babble. Some of them (like the Walmart lamp) indicate where you found them, but most of them aren't sourced!

  16. Thanks for posting this. I have a lamp I wanted to try this on. My one question is: how does the lining handle heat? Does it get hot?

  17. Hi LindaB –

    I wish I could remember the exact name of the paper, but there really wasn't one. I just went into the store (I'm sure Blick or Pearl would have it too) and asked for an adhesive-backed metallic paper. The silver paper is very glass-like. I could see my reflection. Sorry, hope that helps! Good luck!

  18. Laura Isabel –

    All the links to the individual lamps are in the slideshow. The words THIS are all hyperlinked.

    Thanks!

  19. Boops – My liner handles the heat perfectly. No issues there at all with my shade. Can't vouch for smaller shades, but I can't imagine there would be a big problem. Good luck!

  20. Thanks Jenny & Cassie@Hi Sugarplum! I love (and am intimidated by both of you) so much! I will try painting 1st. I can always line it if I find I want a little more bling. Working on the launch of my own blog this week! Dollarsandsensedecor.com

  21. Great tutorial — I'm interested to hear how the paper turns out after a few months of regular use with the lamps…ie bubbling from heat, glue letting go from heat, etc. Keep us updated please :)

  22. Jerith, you're in luck! I actually did this project more than two months ago. The paper is holding up beautifully. No bubbling or heat marks! Two thumbs up.
    j

  23. The paper looks really great with the marble bases… and all my questions were answered in the comments too! I think gold paper would look amazing on that $40 owl lamp from Target that you featured on Babble. That would be sweet! Thanks for sharing. :-)

  24. I used the silver contact paper as decorative cut outs for my walls, its not as shiny as the paper you used. It looks more like the stainless steel appliances.

  25. Perfect balance of calm, regal, and fun! What did you use to dye the lampshade? Also, did you dip it or brush it? The green you chose is gorgeous!

  26. Ok…You clearly are gifted…cause I ordered the paper and DID NOT find it easy…kept sticking to itself…the wrong place…full of bubbles.

    I bow to you…do you think you used that same paper? Mine was on a plastic shade back (on a GREAT Anthropologie peacock shade) The plus is that it makes the shade look 100% better from the outside…but the inside ain't to pretty :(

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