So, I am finishing the final accents of my blogging office. I was at IKEA a couple of weeks ago {SIGH}. I so wish one was closer!! I loved those two hours of unrushed hours I had in that store! It was wonderful.! I didn't even buy a lot. But I loved wandering around the store seeing all the storage and decor ideas. The, I saw the perfect lampshade! It was a pure white with grey swirls. I loved it and bought it. I knew it would match my blog office perfectly.
In my excitement to buy this lamp, I didn't notice that as an IKEA lampshade, it doesn't have the same fittings as a normal lampshade! Who would think that an IKEA lampshade doesn't fit onto a regular lamp. Why would they do that??
DANG! It doesn't fit on a normal lamp!! I was quite upset when I figured that out.
Fortunately, the internet helped! Here's what you need to do. Buy two large washers, a lamp harp and a finial. Those parts cost about $15. in total. The lampshades are a bargain, and if you love it, it certainly is worth the $15 to convert the lamp.
Initially, I noticed that the inside of the lamp can be adjusted. so the circle part is closer to the top. At first I tried to just balance that on the bulb. It took about 15 seconds of trying to balance it to realize that wasn't going to work!
This is a project perfect for a visit to your local hardware store. Just bring your lampshade into the store. Trust me, they have seen stranger!! You need a large metal washer to fit on top and under the circle.
I used gorilla glue (and it's held perfectly so far). I clamped the metal washers to the circle thingy for a day. I was determined to make my IKEA lampshade fit my lamp!
Your local hardware store (or Amazon) sell lamp harps and finials. Like this.
You can easily attach the new lamp harp to your non-IKEA lamp.
Then add your finial.
See, your washers look perfectly fine! Like they are supposed to be there!!
Once I had the lampshade in place, I added some of my strawberry vanilla hydrangeas to the clear lamp base. The first ones I added had already been dried. That didn't work well. They all fell apart as I shoved them in : (. So, I put fresh ones in and I am leaving the big cork part off so the hydrangeas dry.
I LOVE this lamp. I'm so glad I was able to use my IKEA lampshade.
Teri
what size was the washer ? I am struggling finding big ones
HollyG
Thank you - I just zip-tied mine to the harp. It took eight zip-ties per lamp. Your idea is soooooooo much better.
momcrieff
Glad this helped you! We have an IKEA opening near us in a couple of weeks and I can't wait to see all the cute lamp shades (and other fun stuff!).
momcrieff
It was so disappointing to find the perfect shade and then it not fit on my lamp! But, this conversion really does work and you can use the fun patterned IKEA shades on your existing lamps.
momcrieff
You are so welcome! IKEA does have so many fun shades!
Victoria
this post makes me so happy. I just bought a IKEA shade for my nursery and realized after driving the 3 hours home it wouldn't fit a standard lamp. Weekend project! Thank you for sharing!
momcrieff
Did not know that IKEA uses standard metric sizes with their lampshades! Thanks for sharing.
Marcushasfun
It's a European lampshade. And IKEA does use standard sizes, it's called the metric system 🙂
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JP
That's very clever, but you can also buy a lampshade reducer ring. They are a UK/Euro thing, but you can find them on ebay and online.
Sara
Brilliant! My mom has same exact shade and i have been trying to make it work. We tried the jnserts that make the hole smaller, but didnt work with her base. Will tell her to try this! Thanks!
Leah F.
OMG! Thank you! Thank you! I have spent all day trying to figure out what the heck was wrong with my lamp base. It was so validating to read that these Ikea lamp shades do not fit normal bases. And thank you for your great solution!
Anonymous
Thanks for the post
momcrieff
Yes IKEA 'stuff' can be awesome! I just wish the used standard sizes! It never occurred to me that the lampshade wouldn't easily fit. Glad You found this post helpful!
jesse
Ah, this is JUST what I needed! Many a time have I been annoyed by them having their own system! I never thought of a washer. This is perfect. I love Ikea shades & prices, but I often find lamp bases in other stores. This, has saved my life.
Thanks!
Oh - PS - Kristing - That doesn't always work as the socket has to be JUST the right size for it not to wobble. I have a lampshade from target that fits on the socket, and I had to hack the socket with electrical tape so it would snugly fit, and it's always crooked too! I wish it were that easy though, sometimes we get lucky.
momcrieff
Tried that! Unfortunately, the hole wasn't big enough to slip over the socket. IKEA would have made this so much easier for so many of us if your suggestion was possible. Thanks for the suggestion though!
Kristing Jorgenson
... um... leave the lampshade alone. Take off other lampshade... UNSCREW the lightbulb put new shade on top of socket. Replace bulb... DONE...