She Draped a Scarf Over IKEA’s Paper Lantern, and It Looks Custom

One thing about me: I’m a big fan of IKEA’s GULLSUDARE / HAVSDJUP pendant light. (I currently have two in my two-room apartment.) It looks like a high-priced paper lantern, but costs only $17 for the smaller size. And a benefit I didn’t consider is how this light fixture could also easily be customized. 

When Kayla Shannon walked Apartment Therapy through her 375-square-foot Brooklyn apartment, which is featured in the video above, I couldn’t help but notice the colorful pendant hanging above her bed. I was shocked when she pointed out that it was the same light I have in my home, but with her own (inexpensive) twist: She covered it with a scarf. 

It turns out IKEA’s paper lantern is the perfect, lightweight canvas to drape a scarf over. Kayla has seven windows in her studio apartment, so the home is drenched in natural light most of the time (which happens to be one of her favorite aspects of living there). But in the evenings she can flick on the paper lantern that casts a softer color on the room, thanks to the scarf. 

“My light fixture is an IKEA lantern; it’s a paper disposable one, and I needed it to feel more like warm, unique lighting,” Kayla said at the time of the House Tour. “So, I decided to bring in a scarf that I wasn’t using that often and really add color and warmth to this fixture. It became one of my best DIYs.” 

One downside of the IKEA paper lantern is that it is super-fragile — it’s made of paper, after all! Both of my lanterns have small tears in them that I’ve accepted are just part of the look. However, Kayla’s method hides potential imperfections. That’s not the only benefit, though. Swapping out the scarf gives a home a new feel. For example, you could swap it out seasonally to match holiday decor. 

It’s important to read the safety instructions and take precautions when hanging the scarf from the lamp. Because you’re placing fabric around a light fixture, make sure the scarf doesn’t touch the bulb, follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions, and never leave it unattended. However, if you drape it safely, it can turn a basic (in a good way) light fixture into a colorful statement piece. I’d never know this was from IKEA!

To see more of Kayla’s vibrant home, visit the full House Tour.