How to Apply Plaster to a Lamp | Easy DIY

Last Updated on April 11, 2023 by lindseymahoney

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved a good DIY project, especially when I can upcycle an old item. I found an old lamp at a local thrift store and decided to give it a modern look with an easy DIY by adding plaster to the lamp base.

How to plaster a lamp with this easy and affordable DIY project | Building Bluebird

This beautiful new lamp cost less than $30 to create and looks perfect in my little boys bedroom.

How to plaster a lamp and turn your dated lamp into a modern design! | Building Bluebird
#tutorial #upcycle

Easy and Affordable Plaster Lamp DIY

[Affiliate links are included in this blog post, thanks for supporting Building Bluebird!]

This old lamp base was $15 at our local thrift store and I knew I could turn it into something modern for my boy’s bedroom.

Plaster Lamp Source Materials

Lamp Base (thrifted)
Paintbrush
Painters Tape
Paint Primer
Plaster of Paris
Krud Kutter
Disposable Bowl & Fork (owned)

1 | Clean and Tape the Lamp Base

First, clean the lamp base (I use Krud Kutter) so the paint and plaster can adhere properly.

Next, protect the lamp cord and top of the lamp base with painter’s tape. This will prevent any stray paint splatters and create that professional look you want when tackling a DIY project.

2 | Apply Primer Paint to the Lamp Base

For lamp bases with a glossy finish, I recommend a quick base coat of paint primer.

This also helps to block any strong patterns that may be on the lamp base – like the floral design on mine.

If I could do this DIY project over again, I would definitely apply a second coat of primer to really cover up the floral pattern.

3 | Apply 1st Coat of Plaster to the Lamp

Next, you are going to apply your first coat of the Paris of Plaster material.

Mix the plaster powder and water in a disposable bowl that can be disposed of after the DIY project. Read the instructions on the plaster container, but I mixed one part of water for every two parts of plaster powder.

I just eyeballed this measurement.

Once the consistency was somewhat thick (and not super watery), I began applying it to the lamp base with a paintbrush.

For the application, I brushed the plaster in different directions to add texture to the lamp base. There is a 5-10 minute window to apply the plaster before it begins to dry and become chunky.

Let this first coat of plaster dry for about 30 minutes.

4 | Apply 2nd Coat of Plaster

Follow the same application technique for the second coat of plaster.

If your lamp base is a lighter tone and does not have a pattern, two coats may be enough. Let this layer of plaster dry for another 30 minutes.

4 | Apply 3rd Coat of Plaster to the Lamp

I decided to apply a third coat of plaster to completely hide the floral design on the lamp base. With each layer of plaster, you will have to mix up a new batch in a bowl because it hardens so quickly.

Each coat takes about 30 minutes to dry.

You can see the texture on the lamp base that I created by painting the plaster in various directions.

5 | Smooth Plaster with Wet Brush

For the final step, dip a clean paintbrush in a bowl of water and brush it on the lamp base. This softens the edges of the plaster and blends any spots you may not be pleased with.