I’m so happy to share these repurposed lamp plant stands. They can also be used as candle holders! Bonus! This is a sponsored post for my friends at Homeright. Please visit them to get more details on how to set up the large spray shelter and tips for using the Finish Max.
Let’s see how I turned these misfit lamps around.
I sort of have this thing for cheap lamps. It seems I just can’t keep from buying broken lamps of all sorts.
Assess your thrift store lamps
A few of the lamps had already been painted, then put in storage and never repurposed. You can see tools handy for this project include vice grips, pliers, and wire snips.
Mix and Match 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
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.
Generally to gut a 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
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?
Here’s my messy collection of used lamp parts. That large bell shaped piece was dismantled to use on one of my lamp candlesticks.
This piece needed to be sanded and cleaned well before it was ready to be painted.
Now, to see the details of painting—please visit my friends at Homeright Diy Blog. I’m sharing tips on painting the lamp candlesticks as well as how to quickly and easily set up the Large Spray Shelter.
Painted Repurposed Lamps
Did you see how I did the base coat over on the Homeright site? That will make sense soon.
How to distress 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 lamp candlesticks.
Repurposed Lamp Plant Stands
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.
Candle Holders made from Repurposed Lamps
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?
Be sure to visit My Repurposed Life Profile on the Homeright Blog for more details about the Large Spray Shelter and the Finish Max, along with my painting tips.
gail
See more repurposed lamp ideas here
Love these!! Thanks for your tips and tricks!
Thank you so much, and I appreciate you sharing this project on facebook!
gail
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!!!
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
they look wonderful. i like how you used the emery board for distressing.
Thanks Nova,
The emery board makes the distressing easier to control. It takes a little more patience, but I think totally worth it.
gail
I love this. I’m gonna go get me some for my garden. Your a genius 🙂
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
When I click on the Homeright link it takes me to a project on how to paint crib rails, not the lamps.
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