$12 Thrifted Lamp Gets Gorgeous Upcycle Makeover and Looks Just Like the $350 Crate & Barrel Version
Thrifting is one of the most pleasant ways to spend a day, in my opinion. I have found countless gems, whether they be rare, expensive jeans or a stunning piece of cast-off furniture for dirt cheap. Perhaps my favorite thing to do is take a discarded piece of junk and turn it into a genuine conversation piece for my home. Whenever people come over, their eyes are always drawn to the few classic pieces I have, and then I get to tell the story of exactly how I found them.
Thrifting success is a mix of having a good eye and seeing raw potential. There are so many ways you can upgrade common pieces without having a lot of advanced crafting skills. One of the best ways you can hone this skill is by looking around at luxury designer brands' collections for inspiration. Many of their modern collections are deeply inspired by vintage trends. While you may not find an exact replica on the thrift shelves, you can easily find something that gets you extremely close.
TikToker @leanne.bannock is certainly proof of that.
Related: Want Affordable but Unique Wall Art? Try Thrifting and Framing Scarves
A $350 Lamp for Just $12
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Loop On Me - Evelyn Love
The DIYer and thrifter stopped dead in her tracks when she caught sight of a dated ceramic lamp at her local thrift shop. While the original color and finish were a bit tired, she saw the piece had "good bones" and happened to share a very similar silhouette to the $3 Pompeii Warm White Large Ceramic Table Lamp at Crate & Barrel. Instead of saving for months or racking up credit card debt, she decided to try and get her secondhand find as close to the designer inspiration as possible.
To say she nailed it might be an understatement. Followers absolutely loved the clean work she did on the piece.
"Looks even better than the inspo," claimed one fan.
"I'm inspired," simply offered another.
Related: Furniture Flipper Thrifts $25 Wood Veneer Cabinet and Transforms It Into Pastel Masterpiece
How to DIY Your Own Faux-Stone Lamp
The best part is that this home decor flip is actually just as simple as @leanne.bannock makes it look! Here is what you'll need to gather:
- A reasonably priced thrifted lamp (look for great ceramic or glass silhouettes)
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Ceramic-bonding primer
- Acrylic ceramic paint in your preferred neutral color
- Baking soda (the secret ingredient for texture)
- A new or thrifted lampshade
- Fresh lamp hardware or a new harp as needed
Once you have your materials ready, it's time to get to work on your transformation:
1.Prep and Sand
Thoroughly clean the lamp base to remove any lingering grease or sticker residue, then lightly sand the entire surface with fine-grit sandpaper to give it some grip. Wipe away any lingering dust particles.
2.Prime the Surface
Apply a thin, even coat of ceramic-bonding primer over the lamp base. This step ensures your paint adheres perfectly to old glazes and won't scratch off later.
3.Mix and Apply the Faux-Stone Paint
Mix a generous spoonful of baking soda directly into your paint until it forms a thick, gritty paste. Using a wide paintbrush, apply the mixture to the lamp in sweeping motions, tapping into any thin spots to create an authentic, concrete-like stone texture.
Let the textured paint dry completely, pop on your clean lampshade, and boom-you have a gorgeous, heavily textured artisanal table lamp for under $20 total. Next time you hit the thrift stores, keep this handy custom texturing trick in mind!
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This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 2:57 PM.