Breathe New Life Into Soda Can Tabs By Turning Them Into A Unique Décor Piece

The second-most satisfying thing about drinking a can of soda is hearing that "tsssk" when you pop the tab. For most people, that is the moment that those little metal loops become useless, but for crafty DIYers, a soda tab has unlimited potential. A fun addition to the list of ways to repurpose soda can tabs in your home is a creative lampshade project that only requires a stack of tabs, 12 millimeter jump rings, a lamp with a harp and shade holder, and two pairs of pliers. There are many handy ways to repurpose old lampshades around the house, so the piece that this will replace can also be given a new life.

Personally collecting can tabs for DIY projects takes time, but you can expedite the process by purchasing something like the Aluminum Pop Tabs in Bulk. There are two versions of this funky lamp that are similar in results but differ slightly in execution, so choose whichever method works best. Either way, you'll end up with statement lighting to brighten up your living room and a conversation starter unlike anything being sold at your local big box store.

The first version is the "Pop Top Lamp Shade" crafted by Sean Michael Ragan of the MAKE community. It is categorized as an easy DIY, but there is a time commitment of around 10 hours, so bring an audiobook or plan a movie marathon to coincide with its construction. Using only soda tabs and a pair of cutting pliers, Sean bends, cuts, and connects tabs to form a chainmail-like weave all around the lampshade holder, with a metal hoop at the bottom to complete the makeshift shade. The cutting and manual manipulation of the aluminum pieces makes this version of the DIY less kid-friendly, so guardians beware.

An alternative method, posted to TikTok by user @kati_gora, uses jewelry jump rings to connect the tabs together and to connect them to the lampshade frame. The width and length of your daisy chained soda tabs will depend on the height of your lamp, the circumference of the shade holder, and personal preference. Colored tabs and alternating patterns would also give this piece a unique flare and add some personality to your kitchen counter, bedside table, or living room bookcase. Having multiple soda tab décor items in one place may be a little too kitschy, but making several and gifting them to friends and family is always a great option.