10 Creative Uses for Old Lamps

Many old vintage lamps have a beautiful glass or ceramic shade, but the wiring is worn out, components are broken, or perhaps the style just isn't up-to-date. This quick project allows you to recycle the pretty shade for a good cause. Just hang it upside down, suspended by a chain to make a lovely planter, bird feeder or even candleholder. This works with bases that are relatively sturdy or particularly decorative, like glass.

If the glass shade comes from a ceiling fixture, there may already be holes in the glass that you can use. If not, you can drill your own, but be careful. Make three holes equidistant from each other. The holes should be just large enough to fit your bolts through. Once you've finished making your holes, lay the glass shade face up on a semisoft surface, like a sheet, so you won't inadvertently damage the material.

If you have great old shades and no decent bases, consider using them atop something cute like an old jug or bottle. Warning: if you want to wire the "new" lamp, you should talk to a local pro or learn about the skill extensively online.

Here are a few ideas for repurposing an old shade:

Maybe you'd still like to use your lamp in some functional way. Luckily, sturdy lamp bases can be repurposed as bookends, while slender bases look lovely holding candles instead of a bulb. Just gut them of their electrical parts and use as bookends, candlestick holders or other household items.

Be creative and don't be afraid to experiment. For instance, you can try a mosaic pattern or use shellac to attach a series of favorite postcards. Cover the base with old stamps or try a stencil with a bright contrasting color. You can also use a clear lacquer to affix any items to your base.

There's also the option of sewing original covers for your bases, using a new pattern.

Hate that old lamp? Just smash the thing already. If you have a lamp that would look better in pieces, break it carefully and reuse the pieces to form a garden border or use in a mosaic. Here's how.

 

Often a lamp may be in good working order, but it just doesn't match the room's style or color scheme any longer. Don't be afraid to spray-paint the base and mix up the shades for a whole new look. This is an especially nice way to hold onto lamps you thought would not fit a room's updated décor.

Spray-painting a metal or plastic base is simple -- spray the base thoroughly outside to avoid fumes, allow to dry and repeat for a second coat (add clear coat if desired to finish with a higher polish).

Spraying a ceramic base is trickier, due to the way ceramics are fired and glazed.

Once you have a freshly painted base and new-looking shade, you'll be able to mix and match your options to optimize a room's flair and décor.

Even if you can't imagine a new function for an old lamp, you can still use them as decorative pieces around the house. Once you part with the shade, consider cleaning out the bases, especially if they're large. They can make beautiful vases or -- believe it or not -- gorgeous doorstops.

If your old base is made of glass, fill it with brightly colored glass beads, available in bulk from craft stores. Ceramic bases can be decorated and repainted. Metal lamps, which are naturally very sturdy, can be spray-painted to freshen up the original metal tone.

Any holiday you can think of is made better with a little creative decorating. This idea is for those lamps with lovely pendants or drops of any kind. It's easy to transform them into decorations perfect for a holiday tree, wreaths or even earrings, depending on the side of the drops.

You'll need the following items:

Examine the pendants attached to your lamp. Taking your pliers, gently open the small connecting rings at the spot where you want to salvage the pendant. Slip the pendant off the adjoining wire. Leave the pendant's connecting ring slightly open.

Using craft wire, attach the pendants to a blank wreath or enhance another pre-decorated wreath. If you want to use the glass beads individually, remove from pendant with pliers and attach to wreath with hot glue gun.

For earrings: Use as much of the pendant as you desire, add or subtract beads, filling gaps with different colored craft beads for effect. At the top of each earring, open the connection ring and slip ends through earring hooks, squeezing tightly to close when finished [source: Stringing].

With a little creativity, antique or retro pendants from lamps can be used as ornaments

Recycled lamps can make an outdoor setting cozy and even be used to keep annoying pests away. Simply gut the base and fill with citronella torch oil and a wick. That lamp will still be providing light but, rather than attracting bugs, it'll be keeping them at bay. You'll want to caulk any fractures and plug the hole where the electrical cord used to extend from.

This new use works best with lamps that can handle the outdoors. Avoid fragile and delicate lamps for this project. That doesn't mean that it has to be a big lamp, however. In fact, smaller bases are best for outdoor use, since they can be moved around easily.

Need a cute end table or coffee table more than a pair of old lamps last used during the Carter administration? Consider using one wide-bottomed base to make an end table. Two matching bases are perfect for a medium-size coffee table. All you need to do is select the tabletop and attach the lamps as the legs and, voila, you have a piece of furniture unique to your home.

Remember to select lamp bases that will bear the weight of a tabletop and any items that will potentially be resting on the table. Spindly or fragile lamps are not a good choice. Think heavy, sturdy metal or wood.

If you really can't think of anything you want to do with that old lamp, donate it. Goodwill and other similar charities are always a safe bet, but also consider local theaters and schools with tech programs. The theaters can use the lamps as props -- especially if they're vintage -- and the tech programs can use your old lamps as guinea pigs in class. A high school, summer stock program, local community group or Shakespeare festival are among the possibilities.

Your nearest recycling center may accept old lamps of different materials. You can also look at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations in case you have an older or mercury-containing lamp that needs to be disposed of as hazardous waste [source: EPA].

That dusty lamp of yours may be old but, odds are, it's still of value in one form or another.