How To DIY An Adorable Lamp Using Old Tea Cups

You know that collection that is filling up your cupboards or shelves and has you questioning if it's becoming a hoarding scenario? In this case we're talking about vintage or antique teacups. While these vessels can add color and texture to a room, sometimes you gather too many and don't know what to do with them or how to display them all. While there are many clever ways to repurpose old teacups around the house, turning them into lamps may be the most creative and stylish way to keep your favorites out for everyone to enjoy. The nice part of this craft is there's no one way to design your lamp, but there are many versions you can try, even some for the least crafty people.

The key to this project is to decide what purpose you want your teacups to play in your lamp. For example, if you want just one cup to be the base of your lamp, you only need the cup and saucer, an inexpensive small lamp kit, and some hot glue. You can find a light like the Darice Candle Lamp from Amazon that will slot into the cup and can be secured with glue then decorated around. Otherwise, you can get more creative with your teacups by turning one into a lamp shade, adhering them around the lamp pole, or stacking them up. It's a great DIY way to show off your tea cup collection while saving cabinet space.

For the basic teacup base, pick a matching (or mismatching) cup and saucer, your light fixture, glue, and some faux florals or moss to cover the interior of the cup. Secure the teacup to the saucer, glue the lamp to the inside of the cup, then hide the base with your faux foliage and hang the cord toward the back of the cup.

Another option is to turn a teacup into the lamp shade and use a saucer as a base. There is a Tea Cup Lamp kit from Grand Brass Lamp Parts which provides the pieces you need. For this you will have to cut a hole in the bottom of your teacup to thread the lamp through. This cut can be done using a hand drill with a diamond drill bit starting with the cup base-side-up. Many online DIYers recommend adding a little water to the bottom of the cup before drilling with your diamond drill bit to prevent it overheating. Other recommendations include starting the drill slow and at a low angle. The hole size will vary depending on the lamp kit or bulb socket you use, so measure these out before picking a drill bit size.

Once you've carefully created a hole in the bottom of your cup, wipe away the water and any debris with a towel, then insert your pieces to create a lamp. You can also forgo a kit and simply glue your teacup to a narrow lamp base, preferably one that arches or that can be maneuvered so your teacup shade can point downwards, then glue in a battery or remote operated light inside the cup. Place the base of either of your versions on to a saucer and glue it down for your base.

If your decor preferences lay more towards the whimsical or Alice in Wonderland, why not get really creative with the teacup DIY and build a stacked teapot and cup lamp stand? Start with larger pieces first, then build each saucer and teacup on top. For this, you will need a larger pot, then several cups and small saucers, which can either match or complement each other enough so the lamp isn't too chaotic. Use as many cups as you want, but try to avoid stacking your lamp too high or it may come out a little wonky. You'll also need either an old lamp you can take to pieces, or a battery- or remote-operated light. If you choose to use an old lamp, you just need the bulb and plug cord out of it (unless it has a shade you want to use, too), or simply buy a lamp rewiring set from Amazon; there are plenty available, like this QC lampmaking kit.

For this project, you don't need to drill, you can simply begin stacking the saucer then a cup on top of the teapot (remove the lid before adding your first level) then continue to glue each saucer and cup to your desired height. Your last level will be a cup, which is where you can add spray foam around your bulb and socket to hold it in place. Drape the cord down your least-favorite side of your lamp stack, then add a lamp shade over the top for a fun design all your own. And if you still have too many cups and saucers left over, repurpose them into our tiered planter for the garden.