The curvilinear nature of paper plates makes them ideal for creating a surprisingly sophisticated lampshade. Pair that shade with a geometric base, and you have a lamp worthy of a design showcase. Mix and match shades with different bases until you find the combination you love.
Pink paper plates create a nice glow when lit from within. Printed paper plates could provide an interesting alternative, depending on the effect you want and your home decor. Paper plates are affordable and easy to work with, so don't hesitate to make a few different lampshades to find the one that works best in your home.
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Materials
- Paper plates (approximately eight to 10)
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Round lampshade of a height slightly less than the diameter of the plates
- Hot-glue gun
- Paper plates (approximately eight to 10)
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Round lampshade of a height slightly less than the diameter of the plates
- Hot-glue gun
DIY Everywhere
Instructions
1. Place paper plate face up on work surface.
1. Place paper plate face up on work surface.
2. Measure 3 inches in from one edge of the plate. Make a dot with your pencil.
3. Draw a vertical line 3 inches in from the edge of the plate, using the dot as your measuring point.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on the opposite side of the paper plate.
5. Cut along the vertical lines. You'll remove the center of the paper plate because it isn't useful for this project. This leaves you with two half-moon shapes — each from opposite ends of the plate — that are 3 inches wide at their widest points.
6. Repeat steps 2–5 for all of your paper plates.
7. Place lampshade on its side.
8. Draw a vertical line of hot glue from the top to the bottom of the lampshade.
9. Place the first paper-plate piece on this glue line, with the flat edge adhering to the glue, and the curvilinear edge facing right.
10. Apply another vertical line of hot glue to the lampshade, approximately 1 inch to the left of the vertical edge of the first plate.
11. Adhere the second plate to this glue line. The curved edge of the second plate should abut the vertical edge of the first plate, so that you now see the two curved edges next to each other.
12. Repeat steps 10 and 11. Continue to layer one plate atop the next in even spaces all the way around the entire lampshade. When you get to the final space, make sure that the flat edge of the last plate disappears under the curved edge of the first plate that you placed.
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13. Once the paper plate lampshade dries, attach it to the lamp base.