How to Repurpose Old Lamps into Cool Things (30+ ideas)

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If you have an old lamp and are wondering how to repurpose old lamps and turn them into cool things, then this is the post for you. See all the ideas for upcycling lampshades, repurposing chandeliers, and finding cool things to do with old light fixtures.

I haven’t found a thrift store, yard sale, or flea market yet without a collection of ugly lamps for sale. Those old lamps, chandeliers, and light fixtures are usually hideous and outdated. But with some creativity, they are a gold mine for materials for all kinds of clever uses in your home and garden. I have found so many great ideas for repurposed lamps that I just had to share them here.

30+ SUPER FUN WAYS TO UPCYCLE AND REPURPOSE LAMPS

I once found the ugliest little table lamp at a flea market, deconstructed the entire lamp, and turned it into five different projects. I wrote a series of posts about what I made from that little lamp. It inspired me to repurpose old lamps and give them new functions and meaning. So now, whenever I go thrift shopping, I always visit the old lamps section and ask myself, How can I upcycle this old lamp? What new life 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 can be upcycled into a new useful object. Look beyond the base’s color or the fabric’s state on the shade. Remember that everything can be stripped, repainted, and reassembled in a new way.

What Can You Make Out of Old Lamps

I hope you will enjoy and find inspiration in all the ideas for what to do with old light fixtures that I have gathered here for you today. There are ideas for what to do with old lampshades and creative lamp base ideas.

What To Do With Old LampShades

The easiest part of an old lamp to repurpose is the lampshade. You can make planters, organizers, and fun mobiles from an old lampshade. Deconstructed antique lampshades can be used for holding pictures, as a candle holder, or simply as a decorative accessory on its own. I have found so many creative uses for lampshades that you will never have to wonder again what to do with old lamp shades.

Make a Planter from an Old Desk Lamp

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.

Make an Airplant Planter From an Old Glass Lamp Shade

You will never have to wonder what to do with old glass globes because they are perfect for making an air plant planter. Glass lamp globes are perfect for turning into an Air Plant Container or succulent planter. The clear glass lets in light and is waterproof.

Create a Two Tiered Planter From Glass Lampshades

You are in luck if you can find several old lamp globes in different sizes. Turn them into a Two Tiered Planter that is perfect for a succulent collection.

Deconstruct a Lampshade and Use It as a Cloche

Vintage lamps often have beautiful lampshades, and when they are as beautiful as the one above, they are a decoration all on their own. This deconstructed lampshade is like a decorative cloche and perfect just as it is.

Turn a Pendant Shade into a Hanging Basket

This Pendant Planter is a fun planter idea for your deck or patio. The square shape of the old lampshade makes for an attractive container for hanging plants.

Turn an Old Lampshade into a Topiary

You are left with a bare metal frame when you remove the fabric from an old tabletop lampshade. This can be the perfect starting point for growing a Topiary from ivy plants.

Make a Wind Chime From a Lampshade

Another idea for the bare frame of an old-fashioned lampshade. When the fabric is removed, and the shade is painted in a fun color, it can be quickly turned into a cute Wind Chime by adding beads and colorful sticks.

Turn a Pendant LampShade into a Plant Support

Another upcycled lampshade 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 lampshade that will help them stay upright.

Turn an Old LampShade Into a Scrapbook Organizer

Isn’t this Scrapbook Organizer super smart! Anyone with a severe love for craft projects knows how hard it is to organize all those supplies. Repurposing an old lampshade into this helpful organizer is pretty clever.

Make Fabric Bowls From Upside Down LampShades

These Fabric Bowls made from lampshades and fabric scraps look very pretty on the kitchen countertop. I love that you can make them in any style that fits your home by choosing the right fabric. They are pretty easy to make, too.

DIY LampShade Idea: Turn it Into a Basket

Sometimes, just stripping an old lamp back to your desired part is all you need. This Chicken Wire Basket is such a great DIY lamp project.

Repurpose Glass Light Shades Into a Mirror

Repurpose old glass lamp shades into something completely new. Can you believe this Mirror started out life as a glass lampshade! Amazingly good DIY project, don’t you agree.

Make Japanese Fishing Floats From Old Glass Lamp Globes

Another one of those excellent DIY lampshade ideas is to make decorating accessories. Old glass lamp globes are turned into the perfect summer decoration. This DIY craft with old lamps is a lot of fun, and the DIY Japanese Fishing Floats will be your favorite beach house decorations for years to come.

Upcycle an old lampshade into a Nursery Mobile

This is the perfect repurpose of an old lampshade for a nursery or child’s bedroom. How cute is this Mobile made from a stripped lampshade? I love how colorful it is.

Recycle a LampShade Into a Wire Wreath Frame

When you start deconstructing a lamp, you end up with many valuable parts. The bottom ring of a lampshade was reused as the base for this Green Leaf Wreath, recycling at its best!

Ideas for How to Repurpose a Chandelier and Chandelier Parts

Old and ugly chandeliers are common in flea markets and thrift stores. They tend to be rather big and awkward, but they still can be turned into something useful and beautiful. When you paint it, the entire chandelier can be turned into a bird feeder or a planter. But I also found chandelier shade ideas and creative uses for different chandelier lamp parts. Enjoy these repurposed chandelier ideas.

Make a Bird Feeder From a Chandelier

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.

Turn a Chandelier into a Hanging Planter

I love this Chandelier Planter. It is so pretty. When spray-painting your chandelier, you can make interesting combinations between the color of the chandelier and the plants you are planting in the small pots. It is a show-stopper on your patio, for sure.

Upcycle an Old Chandelier into a Solar Light

Turn your outdated chandelier into a modern and environment-friendly Solar Light Chandelier for outdoors. I am sure you can do this yourself with the excellent instructions on this site.

Make a Photo Holder From a Chandelier Shade

This Photo Holder is a creative repurpose of old little chandelier lampshades. I love its deconstructed look; it pairs so well with the vintage photo inside.

Creative Lamp Base Ideas

When you set out to repurpose old lamps, you will find that there are many parts of a lamp that can be turned into something else. We have already seen many great ways to repurpose lampshades, but there are many creative things to do with old lamp bases and lamp stands, too. Enjoy these repurposed lamp base ideas.

Combine Glass Lamp Bases to Make a Garden Totem

I never knew they existed, but now I want a Garden Totem. I love the colorful glass lamp bases that make this garden art totem.

Repurpose Old Lamp Stands and Make a Bird Bath

This Bird Bath is amazingly made from an old floor lamp and a thrifted dish. Our feathered friends will be very happy with this garden accessory.

Repurpose Lamp to Jewelry Organizer

Another combination of various thrifted items. An old lamp base is used to make this Jewelry Organizer with thrifted fruit baskets to make the top. And now that everything is painted the same color, the organizer looks like it was born this way.

Make a Side Table From a Lamp Stand

Who thought an old lamp could actually be repurposed into a piece of furniture. Well, this Lamp Table proves that it can be done beautifully.

Make a DIY Dress Form From a Lamp Stand

The base of an antique floor lamp was repurposed into a Homemade Dress Form Stand. The column and base of the lamp stand turned out to be the perfect height for the mannequin.

Repurposed Candle Holders Ideas

Lamps and lamp parts can be creatively recycled into beautiful candle holders. You can repurpose many parts of the lamp to make a candlestick or candle holder. Let me give you some ideas.

Old Light Fixtures Turned Shabby Chic Candle Holders

These shabby chic Candle Holders started as part of some antique light fixtures. It took some vision and courage to turn these into these beautiful candle holders.

Use Chandelier Parts for a Treetrunk Candle Holder

This Tree Trunk Candle Holder repurposes garden waste and leftover parts from a chandelier. 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.

Make Vintage Candlesticks

This lamp makeover project is so gorgeous. The painted and decorated lamp stands form a lovely grouping and add much interest to a decorative corner. I am in love with these Lamp Stands Decorations.

Easy Lamp Stand to Candle Holder Makeover

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.

Make Vintage and Shabby Chic Candle Sticks From Repurposed Lamps

The heavy brass table lamps are turned into perfect vintage Candle Sticks. I love how adding sheet music and twine gives them the perfect French Scandinavian vintage look.

Upcycle Part of a LampShade Into a Floating Tea Light Holder

These Floating TeaLight Holders are made from the inner part of an old lampshade. They are seriously cute and make it much easier to light a tea light inside a glass lantern.

Make Christmas Decor From a Deconstructed Lampshade

I couldn’t stop before I showed you this seasonal repurpose for an old lampshade. This ‘Christmas ‘Wreath‘ is gorgeous, made from a deconstructed lampshade. It is one of my favorite projects of this collection of upcycled lamps and lamp parts.

If you love these upcycled lamp ideas, don’t forget to pin this post to your favorite Pinterest board.

Thank you for sharing my content!