If you've got a lampshade that's looking tired, faded, or simply no longer suits your home, you might be wondering whether it can be recovered rather than replaced. The good news is that in most cases, the answer is yes and it's often a far better option than buying new.
In this post I'll walk you through everything you need to know about lampshade recovering, including what it involves, which shades can be recovered and how much it costs.
What is lampshade recovering?
Lampshade recovering is exactly what it sounds like, the process of removing the existing fabric from a lampshade frame and replacing it with new fabric. The frame itself is kept and reused, which is what makes recovering such a sustainable and cost-effective option.
Depending on the condition of the frame, it may be cleaned, sanded, and resprayed before the new fabric is applied. A skilled lampshade maker will then recover the shade using traditional or contemporary methods, depending on the style of the shade.
Which lampshades can be recovered?
Most lampshades with a solid frame can be recovered, including:
- Traditional empire soft shades
- Drum shades
- Rectangle shades
- Tapered shades
- Coolie shades
- Gathered & Pleated shades
The key factor is the condition of the frame. If the frame is solid and structurally sound, it can almost certainly be recovered. Even frames that are slightly rusty or showing signs of wear can often be cleaned up and resprayed as part of the recovering process.
The shades that can't usually be recovered are those where the frame and fabric are bonded together as a single unit with no separate frame underneath, some very inexpensive modern shades are made this way. If you're unsure, the easiest thing to do is send a photo to me and ask.
Why recover rather than replace?
There are several really good reasons to consider recovering over replacing:
It's more sustainable. A quality lampshade frame can last a lifetime. Recovering gives it a completely new look while keeping it out of landfill, a much more environmentally responsible choice than buying new.
You get exactly what you want. When you have a shade recovered you choose the fabric, which means you can get something that perfectly matches your home rather than settling for whatever happens to be available off the shelf.
It preserves something you love. Sometimes a lampshade has sentimental value, or it sits on a lamp base that's hard to find a match for. Recovering lets you keep exactly what you have while giving it a completely fresh look.
How does lampshade recovering work?
The process varies slightly depending on the style of shade, but for a traditional hand-sewn soft shade it typically works like this:
First, the existing fabric is carefully stripped from the frame. The frame is then inspected, and sanded and resprayed if needed. Next, the frame is bound with cotton tape, this is what the new fabric will be anchored to. The fabric is then hand stretched and pinned carefully into position before being hand sewn onto the frame. Finally, binding and trim are attached to complete the finish.
For contemporary drum shades the process is simpler and quicker, involving a hard PVC backing rather than hand sewing.
How much does lampshade recovering cost?
Recovering costs vary depending on the size, style, and condition of the shade. As a rough guide:
Traditional hand sewn shades;
- Extra small (up to 15cm diameter) from £70
- Small (up to 25cm diameter) from £100
- Medium (up to 35cm diameter) from £150
- Large (up to 45cm diameter) from £180
- Extra large (up to 55cm diameter) from £210
Traditional hand-sewn soft shades cost more than contemporary drum shades due to the time and skill involved. Unlined shades are generally £10–£30 less depending on size.
Contemporary drum lampshades;
- Extra small (up to 15cm diameter) from £40
- Small (up to 25cm diameter) from £60
- Medium (up to 35cm diameter) from £70
- Large (up to 45cm diameter) from £90
- Extra large (up to 55cm diameter) from £110
It's always worth getting a personalised quote before committing, as the exact price will depend on your specific shade.
How do I find someone to recover my lampshade?
This is where many people get stuck, lampshade recovering is a specialist skill and there aren't many people who offer it. If you can't find someone local to you, don't worry. Many specialist lampshade makers, including myself, offer a UK-wide postal recovering service. You simply pack your shade carefully and post it, and it comes back to you beautifully recovered.
At Lume Lighting I've recovered lampshades for customers from all over the UK, from Cornwall to Scotland. If you'd like to find out more or get a free quote, you can visit my lampshade recovering service page or get in touch directly.
In summary
Most lampshades can be recovered, and it's well worth exploring before you reach for a replacement. It's more sustainable, often better value, and gives you a result that's completely tailored to your home. The hardest part is usually finding someone with the right skills, but help is closer than you might think.
Get in contact for a free quote
I'm a professional lampshade maker based in Hove, East Sussex, and I've been making and recovering lampshades for over 10 years. Find out more about my UK-wide postal lampshade recovering service at Lume Lighting.
