Woman Transforms Shower Curtains Into A Stunning Custom Lampshade
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
The right lampshade can be the crowning detail when it comes to lighting. But even with all the options available, you might not find the perfect match for your space. Or maybe you have and it's way out of budget. One solution? Make one yourself, following the process outlined in a TikTok by mellcasey. She uses a shower curtain to upgrade a plain lampshade into a custom piece that matches the furnishings in her bathroom.
To accomplish this project, mellcasey uses a shower curtain, a pleated lampshade, some scissors, and a hot glue gun. She also takes advantage of another clever and affordable shower curtain hack, which is to use shower curtains as drapery (another idea that lets you take them out of the bathroom). By using the same curtain for a bathroom window and the lampshade, she achieves a highly curated and custom look.
She uses a pleated lampshade for this project. An example like the Better Homes & Gardens Knife Pleat Shade costs just under $25. You want a shade with deep enough pleats that you can see the design, even with the extra layer of fabric on top. However, you don't have to choose a pleated shade: you can apply this idea to a regular lampshade, if you prefer. To save money, consider upcycling an old, dirty, or beat-up lampshade. The fabric is a great way to cover stains or imperfections. Or, snag a cheap lamp shade from the thrift store.
Use a shower curtain and lampshade to make custom, matching furnishings
If you like a farmhouse look, the Wouvma Striped Shower Curtain is similar to the pattern in the video and costs about $25. Cheaper curtains are available (you can also use this project to repurpose an old shower curtain), but fabric options will look the nicest. All in all, this project makes it possible to make your own custom shade for cheaper than ordering it from a company (which can cost over $100), and with a much faster turnaround time as you should be able to tackle it in a crafty afternoon.
@growing.casually Consider this your sign to start hoarding old windows! Fall is the perfect time to stalk Facebook Marketplace, collect those cheap/free window panes & start plotting your DIY greenhouse... so when spring rolls around, you've got somewhere to start all those seedlings and have your morning coffee! Mine was built entirely from secondhand windows, and I learned A LOT along the way. She's still not finished but I've been working on her all summer! 🤎 For more glasshouse + garden content, go watch my other behind the scenes reels about the DIY build, pros/cons, what I'd do differently, what it cost & the materials I wish I'd planned for from the start. 👉🏼 Send this to your partner so they know what project you're about to start & like this if I just convinced you to become a window hoarder 👀 PS- pro tip here... buy windows that don't need a lot of repair, paint them before you build not after, and find ones that are all the same size for the easiest build. Dont spend more than $10/each either, because to be honest, mine were CHEAP! I'm talking like under $5/each no matter the size #greenhouse #glasshouse #diygarden #fbmarketplace #diyproject
The first step is to cut the shower curtain. To make it easier to work with and ensure full coverage, cut it a bit larger than the shade, then trim or fold the excess under. Then, use a hot glue gun to adhere the fabric. The end of a paintbrush or any slim tool is helpful to push the fabric into the grooves between pleats.
Lamps don't usually feel like they belong in the bathroom, but they can be a useful accessory to layer lighting and bring depth. Plus, in an effort to create cozier spaces, bathroom lamps (and even waterproof lamps in the shower) are a trend. So, the idea can look extra polished if it matches your shower curtain. Or, just use this idea to make a lampshade out of a shower curtain that really caught your eye. Just be sure to use a low-heat bulb (like an LED bulb) so the glue or fabric doesn't get damaged. If this project still falls short of your vision, you can take on the bigger project of making a lampshade from scratch.