Upcycle An Old Shutter Into A Rustic Accent Lighting Piece To Brighten Up A Room

Old shutters boast a beautiful, weathered look that only decades of service and many layers of paint can impart. This quality makes them a perfect way to add texture and dimension to cottage, farmhouse, and other rustic decor aesthetics. There are easily dozens of ways to repurpose shutters in your home, from creating a functional plate rack to a custom DIY paper organizer. One project that has been gaining popularity for its beauty and functionality involves turning ordinary window shutters into stylish lighting fixtures with the simple addition of a light sconce. The result is a hanging or standing lamp that not only lights the room cozily but also looks incredibly rustic and fun.

Old shutters often make their way to secondhand marketplaces after being taken out of service. Great places to look include architectural salvage shops, thrift stores, antique markets, and online venues. Usually made of durable wood or metal, shutters come in a variety of sizes, from small ones that fit dormer windows to full-length units meant to cover French doors.

To turn a shutter into a stunning rustic lighting feature, begin by cleaning and preparing its surface. Then apply a coat of paint. Once it's dry, measure the top rail and mark the hole locations before fastening the fixture with screws. Most wired sconces come with a mounting bracket and a faceplate. You'll have to fasten the mounting bracket to the shutter surface, then install the wiring according to the manufacturer's instructions. Finally, cover the mechanism with the decorative faceplate (which should connect to the mounting bracket) and pull the cord through one of the slats to conceal it behind the shutter. Alternatively, use an unwired sconce that operates via remote control.  

When ready, set your shutter upright against a wall. If you prefer to hang it, just add two nails and some wire to the back or the top of the piece. You could also install a French cleat to hang the new light fixture securely on studs, especially if your shutter is larger with some weight to it. Great places to hang your shutter light include tight, dark spots where you don't have much floor space, like an entryway or a hall. Another option is to add the shutter light to a gallery wall with other rustic accents. These lights would also look amazing as a pair above two nightstands or flanking a doorway or a fireplace.

There is an abundance of ways to customize your new fixture with paint, finishes, and the style of the sconces you choose to use. For example, try a white, distressed painted look with an industrial-style Edison bulb for a vintage aesthetic. To distress the wood, wait until your new coat of paint has dried, then scrape it with the dull edge of a knife to reveal the old layers underneath. 

Or refinish the shutter with wood stain and add a chic toile shade sconce for a more traditional feel. You could also paint the shutter with a deep matte black and add a straw shade for a trendy Balinese aesthetic. Use real or faux candle sconces for an even more rustic and romantic vibe.

There are many other ways to configure the shutter lights. For one, you could hang the shutter horizontally above a mantle or as a headboard, then add a sconce to either end. Or install a shelf (or hooks) directly under the lighting fixture to create extra storage for bags or keys in an entryway.