Desk Lamp Update
INSIDE : Learn how to completely transform your outdated lamps. It is a Desk Lamp revival so impressive you’ll want to update all of your old and worn out lamps! Super budget friendly and for any skill level.

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This post has been updated since it’s original publish date of July 2014.
Sometimes it’s the simplest updates that can make the biggest impact. Today I am sharing how I took an old, but perfectly fine desk lamp and with a few swipes of spray paint gave it a whole new life! I’m calling it my Desk Lamp Revival – ha.
I got this desk lamp from Target many years ago and until a handful of months ago, it worked just perfectly in my green guest room. However, since I am updating my office space with white walls, it really sticks out.
Check out the final reveal of the Office / Guest Room here!
My goal for the room update is to repurpose items and not just go buy all new (even though that would be fun!).
What supplies do I need to transform an old lamp?
- Old lamp
- White spray paint
- Gold Foil paint marker
- Painter’s tape
- Aluminum foil
How to tape off a lamp before spray painting
My first step was to wrap the cord, metal rod and the neck of the lamp in aluminum foil. I shared this painting tip on my Updated Fan post and was surprised how many people loved this idea!
Friends, it’s so much easier than painters tape. Painter’s tape is perfect on walls and is great when you need crisp clean lines. However, for projects like this with circular shapes, foil is the way to go.
Spray Paint an old lamp
After covering with foil, I gave the lamp two light even coats of my favorite spray paint, Flat White spray paint. I adore the matte look that flat spray paint gives.
Add gold to the lamp
After the paint had fully dried, I added two stips of painter’s tape in a crescent shape along the lamp portion. I was wanting to add a little gold pop.
I then used a gold foil paint pen to fill in-between tape.
Once the gold paint was dry, I gingerly removed the tape and loved the look!
I also painted the light direction handle and switch in gold.
Updated Modern Lamp
I could hardly believe this little beauty of a modern fresh lamp was underneath all that original green!
Now I use this lamp all the time again, so it’s a win that I’ve kept it out of the landfill and have given it a whole new life.
And if you are looking for more simple updates like this, check some of these out below!!