30+ SUPER FUN WAYS TO UPCYCLE AND REPURPOSE LAMPS
I haven’t found a thrift store, yard sale or flea market yet without a collection of old lamps for sale. Those old lamps, chandeliers and lights are usually quite hideous and outdated. But with a creative mind they are a gold mine for materials for all kinds of clever uses in your home and garden.
I once found the ugliest little table lamp at a flea market and made a whole series of projects from that one little lamp. It got me inspired to repurpose old lamps and give them new functions and meaning. So now whenever I go thrift shopping I always pay a visit to the old lamps section and purposefully ask myself the question How can I upcycle this old lamp? What new uses can I come up with for this dated chandelier? Do I have a purpose for this antique floor lamp?
To successfully repurpose an old lamp you have to be creative in your thinking. You need to see the lamp as a collection of different parts where each part can be upcycled into a new useful object. Look beyond the color of the base or the state of the fabric on the shade, remember that everything can be stripped, repainted, and reassembled in a whole new way.
I hope you enjoy all my craft ideas for old light fixtures that I have gathered here for you today.
Upcycle old lamps into useful planters
When you have an old desk lamp that you love but that is broking why not Make a Planter from it and have fun using it for years on.
Glass lamp shades are perfect for turning into an Air Plant Container or succulent planter. The clear glass lets in light and is water proof.
If you can find several old lamp globes in different sizes you are in luck. Turn them into a Two Tiered Planter that is perfect for a great succulent collection
This Pendant Planter is a fun planter idea for your deck or patio. The square shape of the old lamp shade makes for an interesting container for hanging plants
When you remove the fabric from an old table top lamp you are left with an bare metal frame. This can be the perfect starting point for growing a Topiary from ivy plants.
Use Lamp Parts for Creative Garden Projects
Another idea for the bare frame of an old fashioned lamp shade. When the fabric is removed and the shade is painted in a fun color it can be quickly turned into a cute Wind Chime.
Old chandeliers are plentiful in thrift stores. In this case the chandelier is repurposed into a Bird Feeder that will make our feathered friends happy
Another upcyled lamp shade idea: Turn a bare shade into Garden Plant Support. You only have to place it around your plants in time for them to grow up in and around the lamp shade that will help them stay upright.
I love this Chandelier Planter it is so pretty. Make interesting combinations between the color of the chandelier and the plants your are planting in the small pots. It is a show stopper on your patio for sure
This Tree Trunk Candle Holder repurposes both garden waste and leftover parts from a chandelier. I think this nature inspired candle holder makes a great centerpiece on the garden table and is a creative way of using every bit of a deconstructed chandelier
I never knew they existed but now I want a Garden Totem. I love the colorful glass lamp bases that together make this garden art totem.
Turn your outdated chandelier into a modern and environment friendly Solar Light Chandelier. I am sure you can do this yourself with the great instructions on this site.
How amazingly cut is this Bird Bath made from an old floor lamp and a thrifted dish. I am sure our feathered friends will be very happy with this garden accessory.
Repurpose Lamp Parts into Smart Organizers
Isn’t this Scrapbook Organizer super smart! Anyone who has a serious love for craft projects knows how hard it is to organize all of those supplies. Repurposing an old lamp shade into this useful organizer is pretty clever.
These Fabric Bowls made from lamp shades look very pretty on the kitchen counter top. I love that you can make them in any style that fits your home by choosing the right kind of fabric. They are pretty easy to make too.
Sometimes just stripping an old lamp back to the part that you want is all you need. I seriously think this Chicken Wire Basket is a such a great diy lamp project.
Another combination of various thrifted items. And old lamp is the base for this Jewelry Organizer and thrifted fruit baskets form the top. And now that everything is painted the same color the organizer looks like it was born this way.
Upcycle Lamps into Decorations for your Home
Can you believe this Mirror started out life as a glass lampshade! Amazingly good diy project don’t you agree.
This Photo Holder is such a creative repurpose of old little chandelier lamp shades. I love it’s deconstructed look and it pairs so well with the vintage photo inside.
These shabby chic Candle Holders started life as part of some antique light fixtures. It took some vision and chotspe to turn these into these beautiful candle holders.
When you start deconstructing a lamp you end up with so many useful parts. The bottom ring of a lamp shade was reused as the base for this Green Leaf Wreath, recycling at its best!
This lamp makeover project is so gorgeous. The painted and decorated lamp stands form a lovely grouping and add so much interest to a decorative corner. I am in love with these Lamp Stands Decorations.
This is the perfect repurpose of an old lamp shade for a nursery or child’s bedroom. How cute is this Mobile made from a stripped lamp shade. I love how colorful it is.
An old wooden lamp stand from a table lamp is turned into a Candle Holder with some paint and a small dish. It sure holds its own in a grouping of store bought candle holders.
The base of an antique floor lamp was repurposed into a Homemade Dress Form. The column and base of the lamp stand turned out to be the perfect stand for the mannequin.
The heavy brass table lamps are turned into perfect vintage Candle Sticks. I love the addition of sheet music and twine to give them the perfect French Scandinavian vintage look.
These Floating TeaLight Holders are made from the inner part of an old lamp shade. They are not only seriously cute but the also make it so much easier to light a tea light inside a glass lantern.
Who thought that an old lamp could actually be repurposed into a piece of furniture. Well this Lamp Table proves that it can be done beautifully.
Old glass lamp globes are turned into the perfect summer decoration. This diy craft with old lamps is a lot of fun to do and the DIY Japanese Fishing Floats will be favorite beach house decorations for years to come.
I couldn’t stop before I showed you this seasonal repurpose for an old lamp shade. How gorgeous is this Christmas ‘Wreath’ made from a deconstructed lamp shade. It is one of my favorite projects of this whole collection of upcycled lamps and lamp parts.
If you love these upcycled lamp ideas than don’t forget to pin this post to your favorite Pinterest board.
Mollie says
Awesome ideas !! Feeling bad that I had my old lamps removed by waste management officials of Toronto’s Junk It. This is a really helpful blog. I’m going to subscribe ! Keep sharing ideas like this! Kudos !
Lori G. says
Wonderful ideas. Thanks for collecting them all together. The fishing floats and the Christmas Moss covered ones are my favorite. I’m thinking about what I have stashed in the attic. Oh the possibilities!
Marianne@Songbird says
They are wonderful aren’t they! I already did quite a few projects with lamp parts, but putting this collection together got me all inspired to go hunt down some more lamps and come up with some creative uses for them. Happy attic hunting!