Ah, the joys of a DIY lampshade. You get to control the colours of fabric used in your lampshade, which is just perfect if you love a bit of matchy-matchy in your home.
Using a lampshade kit is the easiest way to get your lampshade made and on display. Most lampshade kits will typically give you a choice of style and size, and the materials included in your lampshade kit will determine how your finished lampshade comes together.
For more on lampshades, take a look at our how to make a lampshade article for a sew your own version, or check out our how to make a paper lampshade or our how to make an origami lampshade if paper shades are your thing.
What's included in a lampshade kit?
Your typical lampshade kit will contain two metal rings, one with a fitting attached which is designed to attach the lampshade to the bulb. The combination of the two different rings in your lampshade kit will determine the style of shade your lampshade kit will produce. Drum lampshade kits typically have two rings the same size, whereas empire lampshade kits have rings of slightly different sizes, so you get a fluted shape to your finished lampshade.
The other essential item in a lampshade kit is the lampshade panel. This is a semi-rigid PVC sheet that sits between the two rings to provide the body of the lampshade. The lampshade panel material is usually self adhesive, so it is easy to attach your chosen fabric or paper to decorate your lampshade.
Looking for fabric to cover your lampshade? Discover the very best online fabric shops!
What style of lampshade kit is right for me?
If you are wanting a shade to hang from a ceiling light, a drum lampshade kit is the best choice, or if you want a lampshade for a standing lamp, an empire lampshade kit is the standard option – though that is not set in stone as you may love the look of a drum lampshade on a standing lamp. If so, you may want to look for a lampshade kit that has the bulb fitting offset at an angle off the lampshade ring rather than it all being on the same plane. This means you can make sure that the lampshade will still shade the bulb and stop you getting blinded by the light, even when you use it on standing lamp.
You should also consider the style of bulb fitting you want in your lampshade kit. Typically, most UK standing lights have an E14 gimbal lampshade fitting (brilliant technical term!) which works with the standard screw or bayonet bulbs. But hanging lights, or European lights have a larger E17 gimbal. If you are not sure which one you need, look for a lampshade kit containing a converter reducer ring, which will easily convert between the two sizes.
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Best lampshade kits to buy
Hexagon lampshade making kit
What's included:
- 2 x lampshade rings
- self-adhesive lampshade panel
- self-adhesive tape
- rolled edge tool for finishing
You don't necessarily have to go for a cylindrical lampshade, why not opt for a funky hexagonal lampshade instead? This hexagon lampshade making kit from Amazon makes a lampshade that works as a pendant light or table lamp.
There's a handy video tutorial so you can follow along as you craft your new beautiful home accessory.
You'll need to source your own fabric for this lampshade kit and it'll need to cover an area of 73cm x 23cm. This model fits a standard bayonet cap lamp holder and can also be used with Edison Screw (E27) lamp holders.
For more kits, read our guide on the best jewellery making kits.
25cm Empire lampshade kit
- Buy now from Etsy (£16.00)
What's included:
- lampshade ring (epoxy coated)
- lampshade ring (epoxy coated with duplex fitting)
- shade carrier
- self-adhesive lampshade panel
- self-adhesive tape
- rolled edge tool for finishing
Here is a lampshade kit for crafting a sweet little empire lampshade for a small standing light, perfect for every bedside table. As well as two lampshade rings, the kit contains a self adhesive lampshade panel and step-by-step instructions on how to assemble the components of the lampshade kit.
This lampshade kit also includes a shade carrier fitting, which lets you adjust the height that the lampshade sits relative to the bulb, and makes it easy to use as a pendant lampshade, too.
With or without fabric lampshade kit
- Buy now from Etsy (£13.50 )
What's included:
- epoxy coated lampshade ring
- epoxy coated lampshade ring with fitting
- self-adhesive lampshade panel kiss cut
- self adhesive tape
- rolled edge tool for finishing
Not got a matchy-matchy fabric to use with your lampshade kit, but want to be inspired by perfectly sized and adorable prints in your lampshade kit instead? This lampshade kit from RockandSaltwater is the one for you! Of course you can choose to buy it without the fabrics, but you can opt for a choice of five lovely patterns, and your lampshade kit will arrive with your chosen fabric, cut to size and ready to use. The kit also contains the adhesive tape and tool you use to secure your lampshade together.
Discover how to make a yarn lampshade too!
Bottle lamp and lampshade kit
- Buy now from Etsy (£39.00 )
What's included:
- bottle lamp fitting (UK plug)
- lampshade ring, epoxy coated
- lampshade ring, epoxy coated with fitting
- self-adhesive lampshade panel
- self-adhesive tape
- rolled edge tool for finishing
We love the idea of this lampshade kit given as a gift along with a bottle of plonk – as this lampshade kit has a little something extra to make use of the bottle once the booze is gone! The lampshade kit also contains a fitting that can be used to transform an empty bottle into a lamp, to be adorned with the shade made from the materials also included in the lampshade kit! You also get the tool and adhesive you need for putting the shade together from the kit, and self-adhesive lampshade panel to add fabric or wallpaper to. Cheers!
For more unique finds, explore the best cute and quirky embroidered patches.
Small lampshade kit
- Buy now from Etsy (£16.00)
What's included:
- self adhesive lampshade backing panel
- measuring guide
- lampshade rings with a UK/EU fitting
- self adhesive lampshade tape
- rolled edge tool
This lampshade kit has everything you need to make a 20cm drum lampshade that will work as a pendant or a standing light lampshade – except for the covering fabric. It is a great choice for a beginner as it teaches all the skills you need to make your lampshade using the lampshade kit – applying the lampshade PVC to your fabric, attaching the rings and creating neat rolled edges – all on a small scale before you move on to bigger lampshade kits.
Lantern lampshade kit
- Buy now from Etsy (£16.99)
What's included:
- metal rings
- clear self-adhesive panels
- self-adhesive tape
- circular PVC base discs
- edging tools for finishing
- battery powered tea lights (batteries not included)
From the largest to the smallest lampshade kits in this review! This lampshade kit contains everything you need to make four mini covers for electric tea lights. It even contains the electric tea lights, though the batteries and the covering fabric are not included in the lampshade kit.
You need 350mm x 150mm of material to cover each of the 4 mini lanterns, and you can use fabric or paper, or why not print out a photo to decorate your mini lanterns for a family birthday or wedding? They are made using rings and lampshade backing materials just as you would with a full-sized shade, but, rather than a ring to attach to the bulb, you get a circular PVC base disc instead.
For more homemade home accessories, check out the best macramé wall hangings.
Hot air balloon lampshade kit
- Buy now from Etsy (£15.66)
What's included:
- pre-cut, pre-creased balloon sheet
- paper pre-cut baskets
- paper clips and string
Rather than making a lampshade for you to cover, as with the other lampshade kits reviewed here, this option gets you a high-quality printed, cut and scored paper template that you can fold and shape into a 3D hot air balloon lampshade. The balloon attaches to a hanging light, with full assembly instructions, paperclip and string provided, or use a craft glue (not included) for a longer term fit. We just love this!
30cm lampshade kit
- Buy now from Dunelm (£14.00)
- 2 shade Rings
- wooden tool
- double sided tape
- PVC lining panel
While we associate Dunelm as a retailer for all things furniture, it's worth a browse as they often have a few crafty kits on offer too. This affordable lampshade making kit makes a 30cm lampshade. Just find yourself some fabric, and get making! As demonstrated in the image above, you could opt for a children's print - such as an animal or transport theme - and decorate your little one's bedroom in style and with that all-important handmade touch.
Read our round-up of the best crafts kits for adults for more inspiration.
20cm lampshade making kit
What's included:
- metal lampshade rings
- self-adhesive lampshade panel with pre-cut edges
- self-adhesive tape
- rolled edge finishing tool
- converter plug for UK and EU
Get creative with this lampshade making kit from Needcraft, and make a lamp for your table, ceiling or even floor. There's no fabric with this kit so you could even find a fabric that matches your curtains, or wallpaper. This makes it a nice gift option too as your fellow crafters can add a fabric that really works for their interior.
A great choice for beginners, this lampshade kit comes with step by step guidance and images so you can easily follow along for the most professional of finishes.
The benefits of lampshade kits
Lampshade kits are the perfect way to combine your love of crafts and interior - create your very own home accessory that works perfectly with your room's colour scheme. The beauty of being able to choose your own fabric means you can work your lampshade into the room with ease, rather than buying a lampshade that doesn't quite work. Plus, it's a craft you can hang with pride, and appreciate every day! Show off your skills, whether you're an experienced lampshade maker, or a complete newbie, and light up the room with your masterpiece!
Add to your lampshade making skills!
Looking for another crafty kit to get your hands on? Explore our guide to the best rug making kits for beginners for even more interior creations.
