3 Creative Ways to Upcycle Lamps and Light Fixtures

3 Creative Ways to Upcycle Lamps and Light Fixtures

Have an old lamp collecting dust? Or maybe you spotted one at the thrift store and weren’t sure what to do with it? Today I’m sharing 3 creative upcycled lamp ideas that are budget-friendly, easy to recreate, and full of vintage charm. Whether it's a broken plaster lamp, a pair of gutted French-style lights, or a retro fixture with milk glass globes—these DIY light fixture makeovers will have you looking at old lamps in a whole new light.

It’s that time again… the Do It Over Designers are back! I always picture us like a conga line of crafters, strutting our stuff, laughing, glue guns blazing and paintbrushes flying. What can I say? Some days my imagination gets the best of me. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post to see everyone’s fabulous lamp and light fixture makeovers—we’ve got some good ones this month.

Our fearless leader Ann (The Apple Street Cottage) gave us a theme for July: lamps. Now, you know I’m no shrinking violet, so why share just one makeover when I can share three? Yep, three different projects using secondhand or salvaged pieces. I’m honestly a little giddy with how they turned out. Let me know what you think—I always love hearing your thoughts.

Treasure Hunting at Columbus Architectural Salvage

Last fall, my husband and I made a trip to Columbus Architectural Salvage in Columbus, Ohio. It’s one of those places I go more for inspiration than shopping because, well… let’s just say their prices are not always in my budget. But on this particular day, the stars aligned and I was doing a happy dance right in the aisle of the shop—they were having a major sale on lamps.

A sale? Yes! I was practically skipping down the aisle like a kid in a candy store. 

My husband nudged me and said, “Did you see that whole table of lamps?” I hadn’t, but when I turned around—there they were. Dozens of plaster lamps stripped of all their wiring and guts, but still full of potential. Best part? They were an extra 75% off the marked price.

I had to ask just to be sure—surely the price tags already reflected the discount? But nope. The gal working there confirmed it: “Go wild,” she said. So I did. When I came walking out with one of the employees helping me carry three boxes to the car, my husband said, what did you do? I said well, 75% off, do you have to ask? He just shook his head (he’s used to this by now) and off we went. I can’t even remember where we were headed next. For me, the day was made. Lamps in tow, creativity on the horizon.

Lamp Makeover #1: A Pineapple Lamp Turned Elegant Decor

(How to upcycle a plaster lamp that has seen better days with rub-n-buff)

The first piece I tackled was this large pineapple-shaped plaster lamp. It is heavy, was a bit beat up, having spots where the plaster coating was chipped or missing. But I wasn't fazed. I rarely let a little damage get in the way of a good project.

Materials:

• Plaster lamp

• Stencil brush with rounded bristles

• Antique Gold Rub 'n Buff

• Broken ornament finial

• Ivory Ribbon

Instructions:

I started by brushing antique gold Rub 'n Buff over the exposed plaster areas. It didn’t make the damage disappear completely, but it blended things enough to give the lamp a more cohesive finish.

Then I tackled the top. The metal rod that once held a bulb and shade was sticking straight up, and I knew if I tried to remove it, I’d probably break the whole thing. So I left it as-is and rummaged through my stash.

I found an old ornament finial, slipped it over the rod, and gave it the same Rub 'n Buff treatment to tone down the shininess. A little ribbon bow at the base of the rod finished it off perfectly. Now it looks like a fancy, gilded finial, not a broken lamp rod!

I’ve styled this lamp, err finial on our rolltop desk, and also experimented with placing it on a large candlestick for a new look. I have to say perched on our desk was my favorite though. At Christmas, I imagine surrounding it with a wreath—instant holiday charm. Wouldn’t it be lovely on the mantel too? I wish I’d found a second one, but I’m happy with my solo piece.

This actually worked well, I was surprised myself

A little too shiny for my taste, but hey, it works!

Let's take that shine down a notch or two with antique gold rub-n-buff

I thought this rod just may have be stumped, but no!

Slide that ornament finial down over the rod, and viola, new finial for us!

Ahhh... isn't she pretty?

Total Cost: $5

And yes, you read that right. Fancy look, budget price. My favorite kind of DIY.

Lamp Makeover #2: From French Provincial to Faux Candlesticks

This set was the best looking of any of the pieces I picked up, loving all of those details 

(Easy upcycled decor with just a candle and a little imagination)

Next up: a pair of tall French provincial-style lamps that caught my eye immediately. These beauties had also been gutted—no wires, no sockets, just hollow plaster bases. But they had such a charming silhouette, I knew they were coming home with me.

All I did was clean off the dust, pop a chunky battery operated candle on top of each one, and placed them on our sofa table. That’s it! Now they’re some of my favorite pieces in our living room. At $5 each, they were a steal.

The little chips and imperfections in the plaster just add to the story. I imagine they once lived in a grand old home, perhaps in Bexley—because of course I do. I tend to anthropomorphize everything. (My car is Bessie, and half the furniture in this house is referred to as “she.”)

What I love most is that these old lamps weren’t tossed in the trash. With a simple candle, they found a new life. Sometimes the best upcycled home decor ideas are the simplest.

And let's be honest, with thrift store prices climbing, I think I got these at a steal, plus shopping my own basement stash feels even more rewarding.

Don't Forget to Pin for Later!

I love the way these "candlesticks" turned out, place a stack of books under with a rose, instant charm

The iron scrolls came off of a gate from the 1920's, I do love collecting what some call junk

Lamp Makeover #3: Milk Glass Fixture Turned Haberdashery-Inspired Decor

The milk glass globes are missing from this pic 

(Repurpose a vintage light base for a whimsical touch)

The last piece was actually a hand-me-down from my sister. She picked up a set at the thrift store for $4.99 but passed it on to me, saying, “You’ll do something with this, right?” And of course I did.

This light fixture came from the 1960s (I'm guessing)—complete with large milk glass globes. Last winter I turned one of the bases into a Christmas display with a bottle brush tree inside. This time around, I focused on the other decorative base and reimagined it completely.

It does make a unique base for trees, doesn't it?

Materials:

• Vintage light fixture base

• Tin snips

• Black chalk paint

• Chip brush

• Antique Gold Rub 'n Buff

• Cone of thread

Instructions:

After removing the wires and cleaning up the grime, I painted the base with black chalk paint and let it dry. Then I used my finger to apply gold Rub 'n Buff to the raised areas—it instantly brought out the details and gave the piece a vintage Parisian feel.

But here’s where my imagination ran wild again... I placed a spool of thread on top and suddenly, it reminded me of a haberdashery display. I am kind of obsessed with the idea of haberdasheries these days. If I could sew, I swear I’d turn our whole basement into a vintage tailor’s shop! (My royal spool collection from last Christmas still has me dreaming.)

Even though all of these projects were simple, I just cannot choose which one is my favorite, they are all my favorite—just because they feel so me.

Cutting the wires with tin snips is so simple

The Beauty of Imperfect Things

(Why upcycling old lamps is totally worth it)

I like the light and dark

I couldn't make up my mind on color, so I painted each one different colors, why match when you can be different?

So, what do you think? Would you give one of these lamp makeover ideas a try? Maybe next time you see a broken light fixture or an old lamp at the thrift store, or even perhaps your basement or garage you’ll see it in a new light—pun totally intended.

Aside from the French-style lamps, the others were in pretty rough shape, which is probably why no one had picked them up. But that’s the fun of upcycling old home decor—you get to breathe new life into neglected pieces, often for just a few dollars and a little time.

Now our china cabinet top is complete

Our home might be a little “full” as my mom puts it, but I can’t help it—I love having pieces with character and a story. Even better when I’ve had a hand in writing part of that story myself.

Don’t Miss More Lamp Makeover Inspiration!

This is just one stop on our Do It Over Designers tour this month. Be sure to visit the talented creators linked below—they always bring their A-game when it comes to upcycled DIY projects. You’re bound to find a few new favorites (and maybe your next project too!).

Let me know which lamp makeover was your favorite in the comments. Or if you’ve got an old light fixture collecting dust, tell me what you’d do with it!

Unique Creations by Anita

Sum of Their Stories

Vintage Style Gal (that's me)

The Apple Street Cottage

Birdz of a Feather

Exquisitely Unremarkable

Pandora’s Box

Purple Hues & Me

Ciao,

Cara