Proper lighting is necessary to make even the most well-decorated of spaces complete.

Whether it’s a well-lit room that needs to be styled up or an update to long-forgotten lamps occupying a dusty dark corner, making a change can be simple and inexpensive.

“Lamps are a great accessory for a space, just like pillows,” according to Allie McGory of Lille House Interior Design. “One great lamp can really elevate a room.”

Larger furnishings such as a couch, tables and chairs tend to set the theme when it comes to style. Maybe your home fashion falls into a jeans-and-T-shirt or IKEA-casual category. Or perhaps — like a designer dress — your furnishings are modern and contemporary. No matter what your home’s style, lamps can add flair where you need it, add balance between objects or furnishings of varying scale, or create light in an otherwise stylish corner bathed in darkness.

“Designers, like Jeffrey Bilhuber, can layer a room using many different lamps,” McGory said, “but there is always a balance there. Try one really large vintage lamp, a statement lamp like a colorful ceramic or a tall pair on a buffet — something eye-catching and fun — but then stop there and have the others in the space fit in quietly.”

First, evaluate your home’s lamps and determine what you like or dislike by asking yourself questions: Is the lamp’s size in proportion to other furnishings and nearby objects? Does it look too big or small, too short or tall? Does it get the task done that’s asked of it, such as a reading lamp offering directional lighting or a floor lamp adding ample upward illumination? Think about shape, size and scale, as well as color, patterns and textures.

Next, think about changes that could make the same lamp work if it evolved a bit: Would a smaller or taller shade make more sense? Or maybe a slimmer base or one that’s more gourd-shaped? Would it work better in another area or room? Maybe it’s the color, finish or fabric that makes it appear dated. Whatever the flaw, there’s a fabulous fix.

Reface the base

Brass: Dozens of brass-colored lamp bases at area thrift stores are priced from just $5 to $10 in a variety of pleasing shapes and useful sizes. Although they might have a circa 1990 appearance, many can be great candidates for repainting.

To help spray paint adhere, begin by covering with a coat of primer. Follow with a coat of any color that catches your fancy, or a shiny silver or gold to stick with a metallic look.

Create a “vintage” and worn painted look with two different colors of spray paint, a clear top coat and fine-grained sand paper. First, choose a base color that will “show through” after gently sanding — I like a rusty red base color with a flat black top coat, or a creamy white or yellow base coat with a brighter white top coat. Spray with base color, allow to dry, then apply a second or even third coat so the sanding won’t expose the brass. Next, apply the top color in a solid, even coat. After it dries completely, take the sandpaper and rub gently along edges, corners and defining lines, revealing as much or as little of the base color as you desire. Wipe clean, then add a clear top coat to seal.

Glossy ceramic look (great with gourd-shaped bases): No matter what the original material, fake a glossy ceramic look by first covering with primer, then dry. Repeat to cover dark colors. Next, apply your main color, such as the clean, classic look of Rust-Oleum’s Heirloom White. Allow to dry, then apply a high-gloss top coat, such as Rust-Oleums’s Clear Protective Finish in gloss. This top coat works with any color, whether it’s a bright red or turquoise blue.

Mercury lamp look: Authentic mercury glass was made of double-walled blown glass with a shiny, silvering solution between the two layers, giving lamps made in this fashion a gorgeous, characteristically dimensional shine. Even recent reproductions command quite a price tag; gourd-shaped mercury glass lamps from Pottery Barn range from $160 for a cottage-style table lamp to $300 for a floor lamp, according to their website.

Pinterest and other DIY home decor websites are awash with mercury-glass tutorials, nearly all calling for just two basic supplies: Krylon’s Looking Glass spray paint and a spray bottle of water with a few drops of vinegar. Spray a fine mist of water onto the lamp base, then immediately cover with a thin coat of the spray paint. After a few minutes, use a paper towel to gently blot any water droplets, allow to dry, then repeat the process — up to five or six coats — until you get the look you want.

The art of a remade shade

“Shades should be chosen based on the size of the lamp, and sometimes based on location — maybe something darker and cozier for a TV space or bedroom, and a fresh white linen shade for the living room. But it all depends on your style,” McGory said. She also recommends having the lamp with you when fitting a new shade.

When it comes to sources, start with secondhand stores for the widest variety as well as the least-expensive prices. Quality will vary, of course, so be sure to check that necessary hardware is present and is not bent or flawed. Also, turn the shade 360 degrees to check for dents.

Painting lampshades is an easy first option, especially when you want fresh, clean white. Spray paint works just fine, but brushes add even more depth to textured fabrics.

Re-covering with a new color, pattern or textured fabric is another way to renew or update a shade. Try burlap or linen for texture, or choose colors that complement your other decor. Use a spray adhesive to attach fabric to a shade and a glue gun for any trim used to hide top or bottom borders. Be sure to iron new fabric extremely well before applying to avoid bubbles or creases.

For an even more unique look, consider covering shades with vintage book pages or even maps, using Mod Podge (glue-like paste that dries clear).

With a little browsing for inspiration, a trip to the thrift, hardware or fabric store, and a couple of hours of do-it-yourself time, it’s both quick and easy to revamp a lamp that results in reinvigorating a room.

Change the shape of the shade or the color of the base; add texture to the shade with burlap or linen or to the base by using different faux finishes with paint.

Making these changes yourself gives you complete creative control — not to mention the fact that it’s surprisingly cost effective compared to buying a new lamp or lamp shade.

— Reporter: laurakessinger@gmail.com