$5 Goodwill Lamp Upcycle—My New Favorite Makeover Technique

Lamps are one of my favorite things to thrift for my home, and especially since the big, bulbous, 90s-style table lamp silhouette has been trending. It seems like people get rid of these lamps en masse. I almost always see them when I thrift.
But, these lamps are usually the shape I’m looking for, but not the color or finish. They’re usually like a glossy blue, or a dinge-y white. However, I have found the easiest and most amazing way to upcycle them so they look trendy and brand new … and it costs literally nothing.
The secret: paint and baking soda. This actually might be my new favorite DIY trick. You just mix a little bit of baking soda in with whatever paint you’re using (I’ve literally been using leftover wall paint that I have in my garage from past projects, and I mix in about 1 tbsp of baking soda per 1/2 c. of paint), and then you paint it on your lamp (prime it first! I usually use Stix). You end up with a chalky, plaster-like finish that makes literally anything you paint it on look like a high-end sculpture.
Here’s a look at a thrifted lamp I recently upcycled with this technique:



I’ve also since used this technique on planters and vases, but I’m sure it would work on things like footed bowls, figurines, etc.