If you walk into any Habitat ReStore, chances are they’ll have an impressive selection of glass pendant light shades. They can be found in any number of shapes and finishes, usually in varying hues of white and cream. And thankfully, they are typically inexpensive and there are a TON of ways to upcycle them. So, I’ve gathered a few of my favorite ideas and projects to prove just how versatile these glass globes and shades can be.
Decorative Beehive
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Before modern day beehives were developed, beekeepers would use bee skeps to house their honey-making bees. The traditional skeps were domed baskets, but the idea of skeps is more likely to be decorative these days than functional. And you can easily create the look of one like this by upcycling a glass light shade.
Coastal Glass Fishing Floats
Image credit: Songbird Blog.
If you love coastal decor, then this upcycle idea is perfect for you. How gorgeous do these repurposed glass globes look as fishing floats?
Glass Shade Vases
Image credit: The House that Lars Built.
This gorgeous repurposed project by The House that Lars Built has ALWAYS caught my eye. Not only do I love the variety of glass globes and light fixtures that they found, but everything looks so gorgeous and bright. Proof that all sorts of light shades can become gorgeous vases to place around your home.
Party Prep with Glass Pendant Light Shades
Image credit: Salvage Sister and Mister.
While I’m no stranger to making DIY cupcake stands, I always used candlesticks as the base. But this version, using glass shades, makes for a much sturdier stand that isn’t easy to knock over. Which means I guess I need to make new versions for myself now!
Potting Faux Plants
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Admittedly, this glass light shade came with a metal cage embellishment- so it’s a little more “extra”, as the kids would say. But that just means that I *had* to upcycle it for our home- as a decorative pot for a faux plant.
Glass Lights as Display Bowls
Image credit: Lora Bloomquist.
Vintage glass pendant light shades are gorgeous, often found in shades of pale green or pink with lovely designs in the glass. And because of the pre-drilled holes from use as light fixtures, they’re ideal for repurposing into pedestal bowls like this for displaying collections around your home. Vintage ornaments are a perfect item to show off in it, too.
Spooky Halloween Moon
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
A large glass globe (with its accompanying base) is the perfect thing to transform into an eerie Halloween moon lamp like this– complete with a flying witch! Interestingly enough, the painting technique for that moon-like “texture” couldn’t be easier, either.
Garden Solar Lights
Image credit: My Repurposed Life.
Those small glass shades from old ceiling fans are especially ideal for this upcycle idea. Because look how perfect they are for transforming into little solar lights for your yard and garden!
Patriotic Projects
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Lots of glass pendant lights have a natural bell shape to them. Which is precisely what gave me the idea of upcycling one into a small Liberty Bell for a July 4th mantel display! It was a surprisingly easy project that I can use each summer again and again.
Christmas Tree Totem
Image credit: Salvage Sister and Mister.
I love to create upcycled tabletop Christmas trees during the holidays, so this idea really spoke to me. And what a fabulous way to repurpose a bunch of different glass light shades, too! They stack delightfully into a tree totem– and you can jazz it up with some little LED lights, too.
Cottagecore Lanterns
Image credit: Lora Bloomquist.
Let’s face it- some glass light shades are simply prettier than others. No offense to the plain versions, but these pretties with their delicate floral embellishments are just extra special! And using them as cottagecore lanterns makes my heart absolutely swoon…
Winter Snowglobes
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Making waterless snow globes is typically considered a Christmas craft. But making winter versions is just as satisfying– and quite beautiful to look at. The bases of these light fixtures make attaching your trees and decorations a snap!
Glass Pendant Light Shades for the Garden
Image credit: Chas’ Crazy Creations.
I love this idea of repurposing a round glass globe into a gazing ball for the garden like this. In fact, this same blog post has all sorts of variations of these garden decorations.
Holiday Bells
Image credit: Songbird Blog.
Speaking of bell-shaped light shades- these originally started out on an old chandelier. But aren’t they perfect for repurposing into DIY Christmas bells for the holidays?
Eerie Glowing Ghosts
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Glass light shades from ceiling fans and bathroom sconces often end up at thrift stores after a remodel. But look how PERFECT they can be as little ghost lights! This Halloween craft takes just a few minutes to make, and their eerie blue/indigo glow makes all the difference.
Simple Glass Cloche
Image credit: Homeroad.
Talk about a simple but very sublime upcycle idea! A clear glass pendant light shade might not look like much on its own. But with a rustic base and a knob on top, it can become quite the little charming cloche! Perfect for adding just a touch of elegance to your decor (AND it keeps the dust off your treasures).
Oversized Ornaments
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Globe light fixtures- especially the pressed glass versions- are ideal for repurposing into oversized Christmas ornaments like these! You can set them in the yard, line your steps with them, or display them on the mantle. Ironically, it helps if you have a kitty at home- because those are cat food cans as the ornament “caps”, too.
Ceiling Fan Shade Candelabra
Image credit: Redhead Can Decorate.
Those smaller glass ceiling fan shades keep proving how useful and multipurpose they can be. And this gorgeous planter using an upcycled candelabra is certainly no exception.
Glass Pendant Light Shades as Organizers
Image credit: Repurposing Junkie.
I love the idea of upcycling the bowl-shaped glass shades into, well…bowls! Bowls for your desk or craft room to hold any number of odds and ends- all you need to do is create the perfect base.
Jack-o-Lamp
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
An outdated light fixture, especially with a round glass globe and a little metal finial, is adorably repurposed as a jack-o-lamp. Halloween decoration ideas that only require painting on a face and an LED candle are as easy as it gets.
Upcycling Ideas for All Those Glass Light Shades
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
If you usually walk on by all those glass shades at the ReStore, perhaps this collection of ideas will be cause for a pause. Because there really are a ton of ways to transform them into fun, unique, and clever decor projects for your home and garden.
Craft on!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
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