If you’ve ever fallen in love with an Anthropologie lamp (and then winced at the price tag), you’re not alone. Their home decor is gorgeous but rarely budget-friendly. The good news? With just a thrifted base, a little clay, and some paint, you can get the same high-end Anthropologie vibe without dropping $200+.
This makeover was quick, fun, and done entirely during nap time. Yep, nap time = DIY time around here. And let me tell you… this little flip scratched the creative itch big time.
Not every project has to be huge to feel satisfying. This one checked all the boxes:
The exact lamp at Anthropologie would have cost me $228. I saved more than $160, and honestly, saving $160 is basically the same as making $160, right?

This project started with a random thrift store find. The lamp was a little sad and outdated, but it had good bones:
I wasn’t crazy about the finish, and the shade definitely wasn’t my style, but I could see the potential. That’s the trick with thrift store flipping, ignore the colour and focus on the shape.
Here’s everything I used to turn a sad little thrift lamp into an Anthropologie-worthy dupe. I’ve linked the exact (or very similar) supplies so you can grab them too.
This project is beginner-friendly, but the results look anything but. It’s the kind of makeover that gives you designer vibes without requiring professional skills or expensive supplies. I’ll walk you through every step of the process, including a few tips I learned along the way.
The very first step is often the most overlooked, cleaning. Before you add anything new, you want a clean, dust-free surface so your clay and paint will adhere properly.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip this step! Even the tiniest bit of dust or grease can prevent paint from sticking evenly. I like to think of this as “resetting” the lamp so it’s ready for its glow-up.
Once the lamp is clean, let it dry completely. Even a little hidden moisture can cause problems when you apply clay.
Before adding colour, give your lamp a good base coat. I used white acrylic paint to prime the surface, making sure the vines, leaves, and flowers were fully covered. This step helps the colours pop later and ensures an even finish.


This is the step where the lamp starts to feel like a piece straight out of Anthropologie’s home décor section. Instead of simply smoothing clay onto the base, I built a full strawberry plant design directly onto the lamp.
Here’s how I did it:
Pro Tip: Keep a small dish of water nearby. Dabbing your fingers in water helps smooth the clay and blend edges seamlessly into the lamp base.


Air dry clay will harden naturally, but the drying time depends on thickness and the temperature of your room.
Be patient, rushing this step can cause cracks or smudges later when you paint. I let mine sit overnight to be safe.
Optional Step: If cracks appear, don’t panic! Just patch them with a little more clay and smooth it out. It blends seamlessly once painted.
Here’s where the magic really happens. The paint is what brings the strawberries and vines to life, turning simple clay into a lamp base that feels straight out of Anthropologie.
I gave the lamp an extra touch-up coat of white acrylic paint anywhere it looked a little patchy. This evened out the surface and made sure the colours layered on top would really stand out.
Then I moved on to building colour in layers:
Using a paintbrush set, I switched between wide brushes for coverage and fine tips for any details or touch-ups I needed to add.
Pro Tip: Step back while painting. Up close, details can look messy, but from a little distance you’ll see the bigger picture.




Once everything is dry, use an E6000 glue (I used a this one) to attach the strawberries to the lamp. Tuck them among the vines and leaves, arranging them in clusters so they look like they’re growing naturally.


Once the paint is completely dry, it’s time to protect your hard work. I used a clear gloss sealer.
Here’s why sealing matters:
Pro Tip: If you prefer a matte, pottery-like finish, choose a matte sealer instead of gloss. Either works beautifully, it just depends on the vibe you want.
The lamp base is now giving Anthropologie-level style, but the shade is just as important. The wrong shade can drag the whole piece down.
The original thrifted shade really wasn’t working, so I swapped it for a simple, neutral linen-look shade I found for $10. It instantly elevated the entire lamp, balancing the wild base with a clean, modern top.
Pro Tip: When in doubt, go neutral. Creams, whites, and soft beige tones pair beautifully with slightly chaotic patterns and give that “designer showroom” look.

Place your finished lamp somewhere it can shine, literally. On a bedside table, console, or entryway, it will instantly draw attention. Pair it with books, greenery, or even other quirky finds for a styled, Anthropologie-inspired vignette.
The final lamp is whimsical, playful, and one-of-a-kind, like something you’d spot in an Anthropologie display, but with your own personal twist. The sculpted vines and leaves give it movement, the tiny blossoms add charm, and the bright red strawberries steal the show, making the whole piece feel like a functional work of art. With its fresh linen shade on top, it’s a perfect balance of quirky and elegant, the kind of lamp that makes guests ask, “Where did you get that?”
And just like that, my $16 lamp (base + shade) looked like something straight out of an Anthropologie display.
Why it works:
Friends have already asked where I bought it, and the best part was saying “I made it.”
If you’re ready to try this yourself, here’s what to look for when thrifting:
This wasn’t a huge room makeover or a complicated build. It was a nap-time project that left me with something beautiful and useful. And that’s the magic of small flips:
Sometimes all it takes is a $16 lamp and an afternoon of painting to give your space a glow-up.
I’ve put together a free starter kit to help you start flipping with confidence! Inside, you’ll find simple, affordable walkthroughs and tips to help you transform thrifted finds into pieces you’ll actually be proud to show off.
Grab your free starter kit here.
It’s a DIY or budget version of an expensive Anthropologie lamp, made using affordable materials like air dry clay and paint.
Mine cost $16 total; $5 for the thrifted lamp and $10 for a new shade. Compare that to $200+ at Anthropologie!
You’ll need a thrifted lamp, air dry clay, a few acrylic paints, brushes, and a clear sealer.
Yes! It’s a perfect starter project for anyone new to DIY because it’s quick, affordable, and hard to mess up.
Thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, or even your own attic are great places to start. Look for solid bases with interesting shapes.