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    Home » Thrift Store Makeovers » repurposed lamp metal plant stand

    repurposed lamp metal plant stand

    Published by Gail | Published February 8, 2019 | Updated September 13, 2022
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    These repurposed lamp bases are fun and easy to make. The metal plant stands can also be used for candles. Great for indoors or outdoors. Easy step by step directions on how to dismantle and add parts. #MyRepurposedLife #upcycle #lamps #plantstands via @repurposedlife

    I’m so happy to share these repurposed lamp into metal plant stands. They can also be used as candle holders! So, if you're looking for creative lamp base ideas, you're in the right place!

    Let’s see how I turned these misfit lamps around.

    misfit upcycled lamp parts

    I sort of have this thing for cheap lamps. It seems I just can’t keep from buying broken lamps of all sorts.

    See 18 MORE Upcycled Lamp Ideas Here!

    Assess your thrift store lamps

    broken lamps into candlesticks

    A few of the lamps had already been painted, then put in storage and never repurposed. You can see tools handy for this lamp base project include vice grips, pliers, and wire snips.

    Mix and Match Lamp Parts

    mixing and matching lamp parts

    First, I started mixing and matching lamp parts to see if I could add interest to any of the upcycled lamps.

    Remove all wiring

    how to gut a repurposed lamp

    The very tall lamp still had wiring that needed to be removed. This is where the snips come in handy to cut the wires. Whenever I part out a lamp, I save all the bits and pieces for future projects. If the lamp has good wiring, socket and plug—I save those too. In this case this wiring and plug were very old and not worth saving.

    how to gut an old lamp to make a candlestick

    Generally to gut a repurposed lamp, you need to work from the base and the socket at the same time. They both are connected to the threaded rod that runs through the entire lamp.

    Clean and sand where necessary

    simple lamp candlestick

    This lamp base was a simple fix. I added a small top piece that I found in my stash. See why it is handy to keep nuts and washers from past projects?

    stash of lamp parts

    Here’s my messy collection of used lamp parts. That large bell shaped piece was dismantled to use on one of my lamp candlesticks.

    sand and wash lamp parts as needed

    This piece needed to be sanded and cleaned well before it was ready to be painted.

    The large spray shelter can be used for spray painting as well as when you’re using your Finish Max paint sprayers.

    In this case, a chalky paint primer was mixed to use in the Super Finish Max . Elevating your items on sawhorses makes the task easier.

    Painted Repurposed Lamps

    repurposed lamps into candlesticks and plant stands

    So, basically, spray a coat of black paint, then add the top coat of the chalky paint.

    How to distress with an emery board

    distressing with an emery board

    I’ve been using these emery boards I bought on Amazon for years. Using the emery boards for distressing gives you more control than sand paper on small areas. This is especially helpful when you’re wanting subtle distressing. I continued with this technique on the other two repurposed metal plant stands.

    Repurposed Lamp Metal Plant Stands

    plant stands made from repurposed lamps MyRepurposedLife

    Do you love them as much as I do? They currently reside in my hallway, and I smile every time I walk by them. The light distressing is a difficult choice—tough to know when to stop.

    repurposed lamp metal plant stands

    Candle Holders made from Repurposed Lamps

    candle holders plant stands made from repurposed lamps MyRepurposedLife

    I have to say that I don’t love them as much as candle holders. What do you think? How would you use these repurposed lamps?

    gail

    See more upcycled lamp ideas here

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    1. Beth

      September 11, 2022 at 3:02 pm

      You are so clever and do such a good job with photos and explanations.
      Were these spray painted?
      What kind of paint did you use?

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 13, 2022 at 10:00 pm

        Beth,
        I apologize for the inconvenience you encountered, and I thank you for making me aware of the "missing piece". I have updated the post with more information. See it here:
        https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/repurposed-lamp-plant-stands/

        thanks for stopping by!!!
        gail

    2. Lori

      April 24, 2022 at 2:45 pm

      I love these repurposed lamps! What did you as the top pieces for the plants? Why do you have sand the metal?
      Thanks very much. I am excited to try this on 3 old lamps I have.
      Lori

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        April 25, 2022 at 10:50 pm

        All the pieces were from abandoned lamps. If you look at thrift stores, many lamps are made up of several components. I just start taking them apart and mixing and matching the pieces. Maybe tuning a cheap BASE upside down to become a holder for a candle or potted plant. It's really, really fun, like working a puzzle. Sanding the metal, roughing it up a bit allows the paint to adhere a little better. (or are you talking about when I used the emery board to distress?)

        have fun!

    3. Shirley

      March 25, 2021 at 8:57 am

      These are beautiful! I have several of these lamps sitting in my garage that I’ve wanted to do this to forever! My healthy side hasn’t been with me for a long time so I haven’t done them yet but I will because now that I’ve seen yours I definitely love them! I knew they’d be gorgeous and they certainly are!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        March 27, 2021 at 7:05 pm

        Shirley,

        Thank you so much! I'm so happy you're going to get busy on yours as soon as you're feeling better! I know they will be beautiful!!

        gail

    4. Debbie Westbrooks

      February 08, 2019 at 8:46 pm

      Love these!! Thanks for your tips and tricks!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        February 09, 2019 at 7:53 pm

        Thank you so much, and I appreciate you sharing this project on facebook!

        gail

    5. Doris Styles

      February 08, 2019 at 11:44 am

      You are, without a doubt, the most talented person online!! I have followed you for many years now and you never cease to delight me and make me smile as I look at your beautiful projects!! Thank you so much for taking the time to share everything with all of us!!!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        February 08, 2019 at 3:42 pm

        Doris

        I appreciate you very kind comment so much. After receiving a really ugly comment in my inbox about my emails being BORING, It's nice to hear such a sweet thing from a longtime reader. It made me smile.

        thank you!!!
        gail

    6. girlfromwva

      February 08, 2019 at 9:43 am

      they look wonderful. i like how you used the emery board for distressing.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        February 08, 2019 at 3:43 pm

        Thanks Nova,

        The emery board makes the distressing easier to control. It takes a little more patience, but I think totally worth it.

        gail

    7. Roseann

      February 08, 2019 at 8:02 am

      I love this. I’m gonna go get me some for my garden. Your a genius 🙂

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        February 08, 2019 at 8:30 am

        awww you're so sweet Roseann! Thank you. I'm so happy you love my project. Lamps are sooooo plentiful at thrift stores (and my garage) heheheh

        gail

    8. Annette M Wells

      February 08, 2019 at 7:31 am

      When I click on the Homeright link it takes me to a project on how to paint crib rails, not the lamps.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        February 08, 2019 at 8:29 am

        Annette,

        Their post isn't live yet. They are on a different time zone. It will be live later this morning. Please check back after lunch. 🙂

        Thank you!
        gail

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