Read on for suggestions to help inspire your next upcycled light shade.
1. Waste paper bins
Be it wire or wicker, plastic or fabric, making a hole in the bottom for the light fitting and turning it upside down is a simple yet effective way of repurposing a waste bin into an upcycled light shade. It’s worth bearing in mind that the denser the material of the bin, the less light that will emit from the shade. Colanders, mixing bowls, or even cheese graters are other variations on this theme.
2. Plastic spoons
If you have a stash of plastic spoons left over from all those summer BBQs, why not put them to good use and make a light shade that’s sure to impress? Using a paper shade as the base, you can cut the handles off the spoons (leaving about 15mm of each handle) and glue them around the bottom so the spoons overhang. By working around in circles and layering, you’ll eventually get to the top of the shade, where you can finish it off nicely by covering the ends with horizontally positioned spoons.
3. Cocktail umbrellas
Cocktail umbrellas are perfect for light shades because they’re colourful and their thin paper allows light to shine through easily. This is a truly simple project that will result in a fantastic light shade. Using the sticks of the umbrellas, you can pierce holes in a paper light shade. Then simply apply glue around the perimeter of the umbrellas to hold them in place.
4. Decoupage
Decoupage is a great way to transform almost anything with a range of different materials such as napkins, fabric, maps, books, comics and wrapping paper. An old book can help to achieve a vintage look. Simply apply glue to the shade, and then place a book (or whatever material you’re using) on top. Add further layers at random angles for a more eclectic effect. Special decoupage glues or PVA will work, but clear varnish should be applied on top when dry if using PVA.
5. Hessian
Natural materials will give you a more rustic look, and you can’t go wrong with hessian. With the help of a pair of scissors and some glue, a plain light shade now has some real personality.
6. Buttons
Buttons are perfect for jazzing up a plain shade. There’s no end to the range of patterns you can create from them! You could either cover the whole shade with buttons or mix it up by introducing other materials. For example, with a selection of red and green buttons – representing the apples and leaves – you can create an apple-tree-themed light shade, with a tree trunk made from felt and some green fabric grass.
These are just a few simple examples of how to create a unique upcycled light shade. If you think outside the box, there’s no end to the household items you can make use of. For more decor inspiration, check out 8 funky upcycling ideas for your living room. Alternatively, you can head to Gumtree for some dedicated arts and crafts supplies.
