15 Gorgeous Ideas For Repurposing Old Light Fixtures In Your Home And Yard

Whether you're giving your home decor a refresh and want to part ways with those outdated lamps or just found one at the thrift store, light fixtures are perfect for a DIY upcycle. There are many elements to lighting fixtures, ranging from the base and stand to the decorative shades and even electrical components. With a bit of creativity and some basic crafting tools, you can turn an old lighting fixture into things for the home, like a side table, planter, or jewelry stand. You could even repurpose one for your outdoor space in the form of a birdbath or solar light fixture.

However, not all light fixtures are created equal when it comes to repurposing. Fixtures like chandeliers and floor lamps with solid bases are ideal for upcycling, while plastic fixtures may not hold up as well. When selecting a fixture, look for materials like metal that can be easily cleaned and modified. Additionally, to bring these visions to life, you'll need a few DIY essentials on hand, including wire cutters, pliers, and a drill to attach new elements to these pieces. Don't forget about paint and decorative touches to truly customize the final look of these light fixture upcycles.

Whether you've got an old chandelier to repurpose or you just picked up a well-loved piece at the thrift store, you can morph it into a bird feeder to turn your yard into an aviary buffet. It can take a bit of ingenuity, but you just need to get crafty and simply add bowls to the upturned light fixtures with strong adhesive. Be sure to remove the wiring and bulb sockets first and then attach shallow dishes where the lights were. Finally, just fill these feeding stations with birdseed.

Before you toss that outdated chandelier, consider flipping the script and the fixture to create a hanging planter filled with beautiful blooms. An old chandelier makes a beautiful hanging display for your favorite plants​ when you replace its light cups with small pots. You'll need to remove all electrical components so you're left with the skeletal frame. Then, secure pots or even containers like teacups to each arm using strong adhesive or brackets. Once potted with succulents or trailing flowers, display your planter for all to see.

Don't overlook those dingy lampshades when it comes to DIYing. In fact, you can repurpose old lampshades to make planters for indoors or outside. This project involves dismantling the lamp shade to expose the metal skeleton that is ideal for supporting hanging baskets. Just nestle a pot or coco liner inside the frame and plant your favorite herbs or trailing flowers. Another lamp shade could be attached to the base so it can stand on its own, or hang them with a chain for a vertical garden that's space-saving without having to sacrifice on quality.

Give new purpose to that outdated floor lamp by inviting the neighborhood birds over for a bath. With a shallow basin and some waterproofing, an old lamp stand can become a bird bath pedestal. There are several ways to make a bird bath, but this DIY involves removing the electrical pieces, replacing the shade with a broad bowl, and sealing any holes for the water. Finally, attach a glass or ceramic dish (perhaps even an upcycled light globe) on top of the stand using epoxy or outdoor-grade adhesive like Loctite PL Premium Polyurethane Construction Adhesive.

For ambiance with a dash of upcycled elegance, turn a defunct chandelier into a festive and one-of-a-kind candle holder. All it takes is removing the wiring, flipping the arms, and fitting candle-friendly elements in place of light bulbs. Snip out the electrical components so only the metal frame and bulb platforms are left. These platforms are perfect perches for dripless pillar candles or LED flameless candles (for safety). You can even paint the new candle holder the perfect color to match your decor. Use it to decorate all the time or just for specific holidays.

Here's a bright idea: combine old-world fixture charm with modern solar tech for a hanging garden light. Essentially, you'll repurpose a thrifted chandelier into a solar-powered lighting feature that soaks up sun by day and twinkles by night. The DIY approach is simple and requires using inexpensive solar stake lights in place of the chandelier's bulbs. Most stake-type solar lights (the kind for pathways) can be taken apart, so detach the solar top and LED portion from the stake. Fit or glue those solar lamp tops onto your chandelier arms and hang for a nighttime glow.

Those ornate floor or table lamp bases can serve as the perfect pedestal for a small table with just a few modifications. The process: remove the wiring and top hardware so you have the solid lamp base to work with. Make sure it's sturdy (heavy lamps work best so the table won't tip). Attach a round piece of wood or a pre-cut table top to the flattened top of the lamp base using screws or strong adhesive. You might need to cut a custom wooden circle or even use a large serving tray as the tabletop.

Your thriving vining plant deserves a display as stunning as its growing foliage. Enter the repurposed lamp stand plant pedestal, an idea that's both practical and aesthetically pleasing. To make one, you'll need to disassemble a floor lamp until you're left with just the upright stand and base. You might shorten it if desired (some stands unscrew into sections). Place your planter directly into the globe or where the bulb socket used to be. Use adhesive to secure it in place. Make sure it's centered and level to hold your plants with minimal risk of tipping over.

Wall sconce lighting fixtures are designed to hold candles or bulbs, but who says they can't cradle plants? Repurposing decorative sconces into wall-mounted planters is an easy hack that brings life to any blank vertical space. In fact, you can turn sconces into indoor wall planters with minimal materials. Look for sconces that have a bowl or holder shape. Remove any bulky electrical parts so you have an open platform to work. Now, fit a small potted plant or insert a liner with soil and succulents into that sconce and hang to show them off.

Give your entryway an upgrade on a budget by turning an old floor lamp into a coat rack. This DIY upcycle project keeps the lamp's tall form and sturdy base but swaps the lighting elements for layers of coats. You'll need to take a classic floor lamp, remove the wiring, harp, and shade, then paint if desired. Next, attach hooks or pegs around the top section. While the project may seem a bit tedious, the final product is functional and customizable to suit any type of decor.

Turn your lamp into a jewelry tree to keep your favorite pieces tangle-free. Floor lamps and tall table lamps can be outfitted with a metal structure to store and display jewelry, scarves, and any other items you want to have at the ready. This project will utilize the stand, meaning you'll need to break down all other elements of the lamp. Then, attach your structure, such as a wire fruit bowl or toilet paper holder, to the lamp, and allow to dry. The more unique your lamp base, the more it will stand out.

Dome-shaped glass light shades from ceiling fixtures are ideal for repurposing as decorative planter bowls. If you've got an old glass light cover (the kind from a flush-mount ceiling light or a pendant), you can transform it into a stylish planter in just a few steps. Thoroughly clean the glass (or plastic) shade and flip it so the wide opening is on top. If it doesn't have drainage holes, either drill a couple (if material allows) or use it as a cachepot (keep the plant in a nursery pot that you take out for watering).

Glass globes from old light fixtures can be repurposed into cloches for your garden or even an indoor display for the holidays. A cloche is essentially a dome that's used to protect plants, meaning your retired pendant light covers or glass globes have just the right shape for this upcycle. If you have a globe that's open on one end, simply invert it over whatever you want to shield. Be sure to remove the top portion with the electrical components. The fun of DIYing comes with getting creative, so consider painting and customizing yours.

If your old chandelier came with dangling crystal prisms, it's crucial that you hang onto these pieces for future crafting endeavors. Chandelier crystals and glass drops are perfect for turning into sun catchers that scatter light and color around your space. In fact, there are countless ways to get creative with chandelier parts to craft suncatchers. You'll need to string the crystals together with wire, and you can even add complementary beads between. Hang these in windows so that when sunlight hits the crystals, you'll get iridescent colors shining through your space.

Twinkle lights in a jar are a fun way to add some charm to your outdoor space during the summer, and you can create your own by repurposing a pendant light fixture. You should look for brass pendants or porch lights with glass panels that can be gutted and filled with string lights or LEDs to mimic the glow of fireflies. You'll need to remove all of the interior electrical pieces so that you're left with only the decorative lantern housing. Then, add the lights and secure the battery pack underneath with a Command Small Adhesive Strip.