How to Upcycle a Lampshade with Vintage Sheet Music or Maps

By Helen Edwards | August 17, 2022 |
how to upcycle an old lampshade using vintage music sheets, maps and books

Creating something yourself for your home, especially when you bring an old object back to life, is incredibly satisfying. It’s also good for the planet. Anything you prevent ending up in landfills through reuse, recycling and reinventing, is a triumph. This project takes old music sheets or maps and uses them to upcycle boring lampshades.  Lamps are both useful and beautiful. They offer a practical and a mood-altering addition to your home.

Lamps can help with increasing focused light where it’s needed, such as for reading, and they ceate a subtle shift in the feeling of a space. I turn off the overhead light each night and turn on the lamps, using LED globes. We are exposed to so much harsh, digital, blue light during our days, switching on a soft lamp at night time, brings much needed relief.

Vintage sheet music, papers, letters, book pages, and maps, work well for decoupage projects and artworks. They create an historic and an attractive option for DIY decorating projects. Look for a variety of patterns, fonts and lettering, to suit the look you want to create. They can be used to upcycle cupboards, tables, as well as lampshades. You can even mount and frame them for unique artworks.

Here’s how to upcycle old lamps using music sheets and maps

The very clever Patturn Studio puts music and lamps together in this project and creates handcrafted lamp shade and lighting designs, featuring lacquered papers. She uses a range of papers such as old maps. These are stunning and unique styles which bring vintage papers into the light.

This is a guest video from Patturn Studio, taking you through how to upcycle a lampshade with vintage music sheets and maps, in particular, but you could use any old papers to create a new look on a favourite lampshade. If you don’t already have one in mind, you can pick up numerous lamps and shades at op-shops. You can also find music-sheets, maps and so on, at op-shops, garage sales and places like ebay and gumtree.

how to upcycle an old lampshade using vintage music sheets, maps and books
how to upcycle an old lampshade using vintage music sheets, maps and books
how to upcycle an old lampshade using vintage music sheets, maps and booksThanks to Rachel for sharing this with us – you can follow the tutorial below and hop across to her website for more information.

Helen
xx

**updated post from 2016

161 Comments

  1. Patturn on December 10, 2014 at 12:32 pm

    : ) with thanks to Recycled Interiors

    Reply
  2. Recycled_Interiors on December 10, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    @Patturn you are welcome. thanks for sharing, your work is so beautiful

    Reply
  3. Michelle Smith on December 10, 2014 at 7:05 pm

    Keri! U0001f609

    Reply
  4. Patturn on December 10, 2014 at 7:30 pm

    Oops Recycled Interiors – that’s s German sewing pattern lamp… but paper is paper, they’ll get the idea!! ; )

    Reply
  5. Patturn on December 10, 2014 at 7:47 pm

    Yes Sharon Haydon – Recycled Interiors is quite right. The most important thing is using a standard lampshade as your base. They come with the heat-resistant plastic inner layer so the paper outer layer never heats up at all. Perfectly safe, I’ve made over 300 of these shades by now!! And as you can imagine I have many in my own home : )

    Reply
  6. Jani Posthumus on December 10, 2014 at 9:44 pm

    To match your table Danielle Eyesinmybladder!

    Reply
  7. Danielle Eyesinmybladder on December 10, 2014 at 10:09 pm

    Uh, yeah!

    Reply
  8. Sarah Hawkins on December 10, 2014 at 10:14 pm

    Love your video and would love to give it a go… Where do you purchase your music sheets from? U0001f600

    Reply
  9. Lisa Bennett on December 11, 2014 at 4:26 am

    Debbie Day saw this and thought of you!! X

    Reply
  10. Recycled_Interiors on December 11, 2014 at 6:43 am

    @Sarah Hawkins have a look in some Op Shops, or on ebay 🙂

    Reply
  11. Deborah Milton on December 11, 2014 at 6:56 am

    Rachel Vinen

    Reply
  12. Richelle Gillett on December 11, 2014 at 7:31 am

    Richie Wilcox Aaron Collier

    Reply
  13. Karen Spence-Gordon on December 11, 2014 at 8:01 am

    Could u use pianola rolls.

    Reply
  14. Emma-Lea Mckay on December 11, 2014 at 9:36 am

    Just two days ago haani smahed her need side lamp. ..so I thought I’d make a new one! !!! Perfect!!!!!
    We should attempt together Denise Bullen!!!!! Fun project.xx

    Reply
  15. Alice Hitchmough on December 11, 2014 at 2:22 pm

    very nice

    Reply
  16. Skips Now on December 11, 2014 at 10:58 pm

    This is really stylish and creative! You not only get to decorate your home, you get to save the environment in general. For sure music lovers will go and try this out now!

    Reply
  17. Alex Zelenjak on July 19, 2015 at 8:24 pm

    Liz Gillon

    Reply
  18. Leah Kanschat on July 19, 2015 at 8:25 pm

    Stacey Loukis

    Reply
  19. Stacey Loukis on July 19, 2015 at 8:33 pm

    Brilliant love it

    Reply
  20. Liz Gillon on July 19, 2015 at 8:43 pm

    I want one!

    Reply
  21. Jodie Fergusson-Batte on July 19, 2015 at 8:44 pm

    Love.

    Reply
  22. Stacey Loukis on July 19, 2015 at 8:48 pm

    Alison Bailey

    Reply
  23. Recycled Interiors on July 19, 2015 at 8:49 pm

    its a good one! Jodie Fergusson-Batte

    Reply
  24. Recycled Interiors on July 19, 2015 at 8:49 pm

    isnt it great! Stacey Loukis

    Reply
  25. Stacey Loukis on July 19, 2015 at 8:50 pm

    Absolutely :))

    Reply
  26. Joni Goodall on July 19, 2015 at 8:57 pm

    Matt Harsanyi just for you

    Reply
  27. Yvonne Probst on July 19, 2015 at 9:11 pm

    Matthew Evans

    Reply
  28. Matthew Evans on July 19, 2015 at 9:12 pm

    Ooooo I really like that!!

    Reply
  29. Nathan Gordon Pearce on July 19, 2015 at 9:27 pm

    Allira Jade Potter-Pearce

    Reply
  30. Alex Zelenjak on July 19, 2015 at 9:28 pm

    I’ll work on it for you

    Reply
  31. Renae Austin on July 19, 2015 at 10:54 pm

    Lorna van der Merwe what a lovely idea

    Reply
  32. Letty May on July 20, 2015 at 3:43 am

    Nicholas McCarthy

    Reply
  33. Who'd Have Thought? on July 20, 2015 at 2:17 pm

    Love this idea Helen!

    Reply
  34. Vicky Baker on July 20, 2015 at 3:42 pm

    Michelle Barnes. Thought if you.

    Reply
  35. Michelle Barnes on July 20, 2015 at 3:42 pm

    Amazing!

    Reply
  36. Kellie-Anne Dixon on July 20, 2015 at 7:16 pm

    Felicity Jayne I feel like you might like this.x

    Reply
  37. Felicity Jayne on July 20, 2015 at 7:44 pm

    Oh I love it!!

    Reply
  38. Recycled Interiors on July 20, 2015 at 8:20 pm

    isn’t it great!

    Reply
  39. Refitting The Planet - aka: tomt on July 20, 2015 at 11:37 pm

    wow. pretty.

    Reply
  40. Rachel Macreadie on July 21, 2015 at 11:06 am

    Love this!! Have a recycled musical shade in my lounge.. Now to get a lamp for my bedroom!! U0001f604

    Reply
  41. Lucy Anastasia on July 21, 2015 at 11:44 am

    Maja Pearson

    Reply
  42. Mandy Kaine on July 21, 2015 at 11:49 am

    Phill

    Reply
  43. Mandy Kaine on July 21, 2015 at 11:49 am

    Phillipa Richardson

    Reply
  44. Phillipa Richardson on July 21, 2015 at 11:50 am

    I love lamps

    Reply
  45. Naomi Strange on July 21, 2015 at 11:59 am

    I have old handwritten sheets from my grandmother. … might be time to make something.

    Reply
  46. Jax Hawkins on July 21, 2015 at 12:56 pm

    Rebecca Seach

    Reply
  47. Bridey Gstalter on July 21, 2015 at 3:15 pm

    Absolutely love this

    Reply
  48. Rachael Punchard on July 21, 2015 at 3:48 pm

    Great idea x

    Reply
  49. Shelley Wauchope on July 21, 2015 at 4:16 pm

    Leisa

    Reply
  50. Leisa Russell on July 21, 2015 at 4:17 pm

    Love

    Reply
  51. Sustainable showcases on July 21, 2015 at 4:41 pm

    sharing x

    Reply
  52. Jen Bayada Anderson on July 21, 2015 at 4:43 pm

    Gabe Rae

    Reply
  53. Nicole Harman on July 21, 2015 at 5:08 pm

    Patturn makes these. (Geelong based). It’s her image shown here.

    Reply
  54. Patturn on July 21, 2015 at 5:17 pm

    Thanks Nicole : )

    Reply
  55. Patturn on July 21, 2015 at 5:21 pm

    Lovely comments – thanks everyone!! : )

    Reply
  56. Robynne White on July 21, 2015 at 6:40 pm

    Amy White

    Reply
  57. Katie Walcott on July 21, 2015 at 6:49 pm

    Sabrina Lee Walcott

    Reply
  58. Jeanne Dwyer on July 21, 2015 at 7:11 pm

    Ange Hewett

    Reply
  59. Ange Hewett on July 21, 2015 at 7:15 pm

    Gorgeous! Thanks

    Reply
  60. Kristie Turner on July 21, 2015 at 7:44 pm

    Paigey Sultana…..this is MUTHERFLIPPING genius!!!!U0001f3b6U0001f646U0001f3fbU0001f44cU0001f3fdU0001f60d

    Reply
  61. Paigey Sultana on July 21, 2015 at 7:49 pm

    I love it!!!U0001f60dU0001f60dU0001f60dU0001f44fU0001f3b6

    Reply
  62. Jeanne Dwyer on July 21, 2015 at 8:15 pm

    Megan Dwyer

    Reply
  63. Jenny Roberts on July 21, 2015 at 9:03 pm

    Philip G Roberts

    Reply
  64. Philip G Roberts on July 21, 2015 at 9:05 pm

    I’ll add it to the list 😉

    Reply
  65. Michelle Stokes Decorator on July 21, 2015 at 9:17 pm

    Very nice!

    Reply
  66. Jenny Roberts on July 21, 2015 at 9:23 pm

    Its classy!!

    Reply
  67. Anne Quatermass on July 21, 2015 at 10:35 pm

    Love this

    Reply
  68. Michelle Wood on July 21, 2015 at 10:52 pm

    Shanine Farley

    Reply
  69. Lisa Barden on July 22, 2015 at 6:47 am

    Robyn Cochrane

    Reply
  70. Katy Lee on July 22, 2015 at 7:43 am

    James Baker

    Reply
  71. Melissa Bayntun on July 22, 2015 at 9:18 am

    Brandy Bayntun

    Reply
  72. Meli Searle on July 22, 2015 at 11:50 am

    Heather Mercer this might appeal to you x

    Reply
  73. Tony Barb South on July 22, 2015 at 12:00 pm

    Kerri Colliver

    Reply
  74. Recycled Interiors on July 22, 2015 at 1:07 pm

    you are a clever clogs

    Reply
  75. Recycled Interiors on July 22, 2015 at 1:07 pm

    definitely! Naomi Strange would love to see what you do

    Reply
  76. Recycled Interiors on July 22, 2015 at 1:07 pm

    fabulous! Rachel Macreadie

    Reply
  77. Recycled Interiors on July 22, 2015 at 1:07 pm

    <3

    Reply
  78. Recycled Interiors on July 22, 2015 at 1:08 pm

    simple and effective Rachael Punchard x

    Reply
  79. Recycled Interiors on July 22, 2015 at 1:08 pm

    yes it is and it is all in the blog post Nicole Harman 🙂

    Reply
  80. Recycled Interiors on July 22, 2015 at 1:08 pm

    it is a good one Bridey Gstalter 🙂

    Reply
  81. Recycled Interiors on July 22, 2015 at 1:08 pm

    we love this maker, she is very clever Michelle Stokes Decorator

    Reply
  82. Recycled Interiors on July 22, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    it’s a good one Anne Quatermass

    Reply
  83. Recycled Interiors on July 22, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    <3

    Reply
  84. Cathy Ransom on July 22, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    Georgia Stone

    Reply
  85. Sam Muglia on July 22, 2015 at 1:40 pm

    Jacqui Chambers David Sindel Lauren Stefanou – we should have a arts & crafts day and make this?

    Reply
  86. Bridey Gstalter on July 22, 2015 at 2:39 pm

    I wouldn’t have a clue where to find old sheet music

    Reply
  87. Laura Davis on July 22, 2015 at 3:43 pm

    Graham Davis perfect for your room

    Reply
  88. Amy Logan Russell on July 22, 2015 at 3:59 pm

    Jamie Busch.. I LOVE this!

    Reply
  89. Jo Laurie on July 22, 2015 at 4:02 pm

    LadyRosa Vahlula Berrycake nice one x

    Reply
  90. Kristy Rush on July 22, 2015 at 4:28 pm

    Matt Rush this is cool

    Reply
  91. Heather Mercer on July 22, 2015 at 5:58 pm

    i’ve got a lampshade at the moment i’ve been planning on transforming..and i have old music…got to make it happen!

    Reply
  92. Meli Searle on July 22, 2015 at 6:07 pm

    excellent! x

    Reply
  93. Sean McNamara on July 22, 2015 at 6:43 pm

    Pia Prevost

    Reply
  94. Stephy Cbl Kate on July 22, 2015 at 9:11 pm

    Chloe Baker have a feeling you’d love one of these!

    Reply
  95. Chloe Baker on July 22, 2015 at 10:01 pm

    Yes, so good!!

    Reply
  96. Dannielle Smith on July 22, 2015 at 10:59 pm

    Kdawg x

    Reply
  97. Kdawg Dowds on July 23, 2015 at 5:10 am

    Stunning x

    Reply
  98. S Ridley T Schellaars on July 23, 2015 at 7:17 am

    Sharms Klein this made me think of you!

    Reply
  99. Sharms Klein on July 23, 2015 at 7:17 am

    Love it! How clever & awesome!!

    Reply
  100. Sharms Klein on July 23, 2015 at 7:18 am

    Thanks for the tag!

    Reply
  101. Kirstyn Rundle on July 23, 2015 at 8:10 am

    Kate Louise…. Hellooooo

    Reply
  102. Denise Johnson on July 23, 2015 at 9:17 am

    Kadon Johnson

    Reply
  103. Kate Louise on July 23, 2015 at 9:36 am

    Ummm…love!!!

    Reply
  104. Kate Louise on July 23, 2015 at 9:38 am

    Wanna make it for me!!!!!??!!! U0001f609U0001f609

    Reply
  105. Kirstyn Rundle on July 23, 2015 at 9:51 am

    Yesssss…. If you want it by next year 😉 if you have any sheet music… Chuck it my way xx

    Reply
  106. Kate Louise on July 23, 2015 at 9:52 am

    I’m happy to wait!!!!! U0001f609 Would go awesome in my music room! I have stacks of sheet music!

    Reply
  107. Kirstyn Rundle on July 23, 2015 at 9:54 am

    Thought it would look great in there. kmart has those lamps too xx

    Reply
  108. Kate Louise on July 23, 2015 at 9:57 am

    Ooooohhh!!! U0001f603U0001f62c

    Reply
  109. Josephina Lenita on July 23, 2015 at 10:01 am

    Brenden Catchpole U0001f60d

    Reply
  110. Kelly Butter on July 23, 2015 at 10:27 am

    Alice Emily Butter

    Reply
  111. Errin Mullins on July 23, 2015 at 11:58 am

    Lareen McMaster

    Reply
  112. Lareen McMaster on July 23, 2015 at 12:06 pm

    Wow Errin Mullins it’s gorgeous. Ta

    Reply
  113. Errin Mullins on July 23, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    So you

    Reply
  114. Lareen McMaster on July 23, 2015 at 12:24 pm

    🙂 would love this in my house and studio

    Reply
  115. Lynne Seiler on July 23, 2015 at 1:20 pm

    Love it

    Reply
  116. Todd Liston on July 23, 2015 at 1:56 pm

    Deena Liston cool!

    Reply
  117. Christine Tomkins on July 23, 2015 at 2:09 pm

    Chloe Louise

    Reply
  118. Chloe Louise on July 23, 2015 at 2:35 pm

    Need it!

    Reply
  119. Pene Lope on July 23, 2015 at 4:18 pm

    Caroline Louise
    Amos Cooper

    Reply
  120. Caroline Louise on July 23, 2015 at 4:58 pm

    Beautiful xx

    Reply
  121. Caitlyn Walker on July 23, 2015 at 8:08 pm

    Connor Lizotte

    Reply
  122. Kelly Dodds on July 23, 2015 at 9:15 pm

    Matthew Hedrich

    Reply
  123. Sharni Tait on July 23, 2015 at 10:13 pm

    Jillian Weir

    Reply
  124. Melissa Brooks on July 23, 2015 at 10:24 pm

    Alex McCann thought of you when I saw this! xx

    Reply
  125. Renae Mccoullough on July 23, 2015 at 10:41 pm

    Linda Banovich, Andrew Banovich great idea xx

    Reply
  126. Paula Curtis on July 23, 2015 at 11:21 pm

    Tahlia Batters – cool up cycled shade

    Reply
  127. Recycled Interiors on July 24, 2015 at 7:48 am

    it’s a great idea Lynne Seiler

    Reply
  128. Recycled Interiors on July 24, 2015 at 7:49 am

    great impact Paula Curtis

    Reply
  129. Kylie Polkinghorne on July 24, 2015 at 8:28 am

    Anja Legg Sue Murphy you guys might like this!

    Reply
  130. Sue Murphy on July 24, 2015 at 8:30 am

    I do like it!

    Reply
  131. Yvonne Hickmann DeVries on July 24, 2015 at 9:40 am

    Lyn Barbary

    Reply
  132. Rhonda Wright on July 24, 2015 at 10:36 am

    Very cool

    Reply
  133. Lyn Barbary on July 24, 2015 at 1:22 pm

    How cool. I think I may have to make this..ta!

    Reply
  134. Linda Banovich on July 24, 2015 at 5:01 pm

    This looks famnastic. xxx

    Reply
  135. Deb Drummond on April 8, 2016 at 7:25 am

    Love this U0001f60a

    Reply
  136. Lianne Whitcombe on April 8, 2016 at 7:45 am

    Lisa Baker-Clark how beautiful and is this…

    Reply
  137. Recycled Interiors on April 8, 2016 at 7:46 am

    it’s a wonderful project

    Reply
  138. Rebekah Dimmery on April 8, 2016 at 8:18 am

    Nicole, I could see this in your house 🙂

    Reply
  139. Nicole Forbes on April 8, 2016 at 8:52 am

    Indeed it would be 🙂

    Reply
  140. Recycled_Interiors on April 8, 2016 at 9:55 am

    it is a gorgeous project!

    Reply
  141. Recycled_Interiors on April 8, 2016 at 9:55 am

    would love to see it if you do!

    Reply
  142. Recycled_Interiors on April 8, 2016 at 9:55 am

    you should have a go making one 🙂

    Reply
  143. Recycled_Interiors on April 8, 2016 at 9:56 am

    oh that is brilliant!

    Reply
  144. Recycled_Interiors on April 8, 2016 at 9:56 am

    Bridey you might find some in op shops or second hand stores

    Reply
  145. Recycled_Interiors on April 8, 2016 at 9:57 am

    yes it is!

    Reply
  146. Recycled_Interiors on April 8, 2016 at 9:57 am

    oh that would be lovely

    Reply
  147. Recycled_Interiors on April 8, 2016 at 9:58 am

    it is a great one!

    Reply
  148. Recycled_Interiors on April 8, 2016 at 9:58 am

    @Skips Now totally!

    Reply
  149. Jacqui Barnes on April 8, 2016 at 4:07 pm

    Kellie Harris thought you might like this one xx

    Reply
  150. Ally Hinton on April 8, 2016 at 9:00 pm

    Rachel Hinton next project?

    Reply
  151. Jacqui Lee on April 8, 2016 at 11:00 pm

    Kelly Evans.. Tall one for the studio?

    Reply
  152. Kelly Evans on April 9, 2016 at 6:41 am

    It would be perfect

    Reply
  153. Helene Wild on April 15, 2016 at 7:23 pm

    Or a map? U0001f618

    Reply
  154. The Comfi Cottage - Bohemian Bedspreads & Homeware on April 15, 2016 at 9:48 pm

    I see a map too – but I love it, I love all things map related! : )

    Reply
  155. Karen Bell on April 15, 2016 at 11:56 pm

    Love that lamp

    Reply
  156. Stacey Hazell on May 6, 2016 at 4:58 pm

    Leah Schusterthought of you

    Reply
  157. Leah Schuster on May 6, 2016 at 7:01 pm

    Love it Stacey. Where is it!

    Reply
  158. Stacey Hazell on May 7, 2016 at 7:19 am

    You can make your own with a cheap lamp then add your music notes on top

    Reply
  159. Bells Taylor on May 7, 2016 at 2:37 pm

    Tom O’Brien U0001f60a

    Reply
  160. Recycled_Interiors on May 16, 2016 at 9:58 am

    me too so lovely

    Reply
  161. Recycled_Interiors on May 16, 2016 at 9:58 am

    oh yes there is a map one too!

    Reply

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