DIY origami lampshade

I have loads of wallpaper remnants at home and I often think about how to use them so I was excited to be asked by Voyage Decoration to join in with their #VoyageWallArtChallenge (search the hashtag to see the other blogger projects). The challenge was to get creative with their beautiful wallpaper and I chose the Jayin wallpaper in the pacific colour way, which is part of their latest collection, Iridescence. There are so many different wallpaper crafts and DIY’s as it is such a versatile material but I eventually settled on making an origami lampshade as I thought this would complement the inspiration behind the Iridescence collection, which is based on the dramatic effect that light can have on colour.

Before you say it, I know this isn’t technically origami as it involves string and tape but this makes it so much easier for the origami beginners amongst us (me being number 1 in that group!).

How to make an origami lampshade out of wallpaper | Quick and simple wallpaper crafts | Apartment Apothecary

You will need:

– Wallpaper (by the way, Voyage sell their wallpaper by the metre) 29.5 cm x 77.5 cm

– Pencil

– Scissors

– Cord or twine

– Strong tape

– Hole punch

How to make an origami lampshade out of wallpaper | Quick and simple wallpaper crafts | Apartment Apothecary

Step 1

Cut the wallpaper to 29.5cm x 77.5 cm. On the reverse of the wallpaper draw out folding lines. You need thirteen vertical lines spaced 5.5cm apart (black). You then need to add diagonal lines to the left (pink) and diagonal lines to the right (aqua). Follow the pattern below.

How to make an origami lampshade out of wallpaper | Quick and simple wallpaper crafts | Apartment Apothecary

Step 2

Fold the vertical lines first (black) and then fold the first set of diagonal lines (pink) and then the second set of diagonal lines (aqua). You can score the lines first for ease and precision. You need to always fold the paper in on itself so that the right side is always facing out.

How to make an origami lampshade out of wallpaper | Quick and simple wallpaper crafts | Apartment Apothecary

Step 3

Punch holes along the top edge of the wallpaper length. Thread them with twine.

How to make an origami lampshade out of wallpaper | Quick and simple wallpaper crafts | Apartment Apothecary

Step 4

Use strong tape (I have used coloured washi tape just so you can see it) to fix the two ends of the shade together. You must ensure that you overlap the two ends by 11cm so that the diamond pattern is retained.

How to make an origami lampshade out of wallpaper | Quick and simple wallpaper crafts | Apartment Apothecary

Step 5

Stand the shade on its bottom and begin to the pull the two ends of the twine to draw the top of the shade together.

How to make an origami lampshade out of wallpaper | Quick and simple wallpaper crafts | Apartment Apothecary

Step 6

Pull the twine tight, ensuring the shade folds in the right places. Don’t tie it up yet as the flex and bulb need to be put through the top of the shade.

How to make an origami lampshade out of wallpaper | Quick and simple wallpaper crafts | Apartment Apothecary

Step 7

Place the flex through the top of the shade and then screw in a cold bulb (you can’t use a hot bulb as it will be too close to the paper). Now you can tighten the twine at the top of the shade and tie it together.

How to make an origami lampshade out of wallpaper | Quick and simple wallpaper crafts | Apartment Apothecary

You can do the same to the bottom of the shade as you did to the top to make it more of a globe or you can leave it open.

How to make an origami lampshade out of wallpaper | Quick and simple wallpaper crafts | Apartment Apothecary

Switch your bulb on and you are done!

How to make an origami lampshade out of wallpaper | Quick and simple wallpaper crafts | Apartment Apothecary

This is such a quick and easy craft to do and it really does look quite special when the light is switched on. Thanks to Voyage Decoration for the creative challenge and their beautiful wallpaper to play with.

What have you made from wallpaper remnants?

Katy x

*This post was written in collaboration with Voyage Decoration

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21 Comments

  1. Susan
    16th September 2015 / 8:22 am

    I’ve recently discovered your blog and I love it, so I just voted for you.

    • Katy
      Author
      16th September 2015 / 9:32 am

      That is so kind of you, Susan. Thank you and welcome to my blog! x

  2. Hannah
    16th September 2015 / 9:19 am

    This is such a fab idea. Could I do it with gift wrap? Beautiful pattern on the wallpaper, by the way. love those colours.

    • Katy
      Author
      16th September 2015 / 9:33 am

      You could do it with gift wrap but you’d probably be better off sticking it to a piece of card first to give it more rigidity (use spray glue as gift wrap can wrinkle very easily). I love the colours on the wallpaper, too x

  3. 16th September 2015 / 9:53 am

    This is such a lovely idea – I can’t wait to give it a go! The effect when it’s lit up is just beautiful.

    • Katy
      Author
      16th September 2015 / 10:29 am

      It emits such a beautiful, soft light and I love how the pattern is highlighted. Would love to see a pic if you give it a go, Abi x

  4. 16th September 2015 / 11:22 am

    Oh Katy, that is gorgeous, so easy and so effective! I love it 🙂

    • Katy
      Author
      16th September 2015 / 3:51 pm

      Thanks, Jen! Can’t wait to see your project xx

  5. 16th September 2015 / 12:47 pm

    Looks amazing! I should absolutely try this..
    Thank you…

    • Katy
      Author
      16th September 2015 / 3:51 pm

      Thank you! It really is very easy x

  6. Sarah Ford
    16th September 2015 / 1:56 pm

    Would you recommend also using a fire retardant spray on the paper first?

    • Katy
      Author
      16th September 2015 / 3:52 pm

      I think it’s probably easier and safer just to use a cold bulb rather than a hot one x

    • Katy
      Author
      16th September 2015 / 8:11 pm

      Thank you, Kate! X

  7. 17th September 2015 / 2:55 pm

    That is pretty darn clever Katy, love a bit of origami (though like you said not technically origami but hey it looks fab!) Such good way to add a bit of individuality to a space.

  8. 18th September 2015 / 9:47 am

    This is such a great idea, I also have lots of wallpaper hanging around and have so far not been doing much with it except wrapping presents! Thank you! Mary

  9. Jules
    19th September 2015 / 9:29 am

    I love that!!!!! I’m doing it now

  10. 29th September 2015 / 9:03 am

    This is pretty 🙂 Right now I mostly use wallpaper for the backdrop of my hapinesswherever.com DIY tutorials but I’m slowly branching out and using them for other things too 🙂

  11. Anne
    2nd March 2017 / 1:04 am

    What is a cold bulb and where can I buy them?

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