Repurpose Old Lamp Parts and Found Objects Into New Light Fixtures

You can make a lamp out of just about anything using electrical conduit and plumbing parts, broken light fixtures, secondhand finds, lighting hardware and cord kits. Found objects inspire handmade and quirky lamps that combine functionality and self-expression. Creating a one-of-a-kind lamp will not only brighten a room but will add a personal touch to your living space. For the electrical part of your lamp creation, buy a new lighting kit and follow the manufacturer's instructions, but if in doubt, seek the help of a qualified professional.

A tall, iron pipe lamp goes perfectly with an ensemble of art made from found objects, wrought-iron candleholders, and a Mexican star lantern. Topped with a Moroccan goatskin and henna shade, the lamp was put together with threaded black iron pipe and fittings, a lamp-assembly kit, an extra length of lamp cord, and a tiki torch base.

Sometimes ordinary objects spark ideas. Ryan explains the inspiration for this light, "I found this set of Hawaiian placemats at an estate sale and knew I wanted to make a lamp with them." He continues, "I took two placemats and covered the bottoms with handmade rice paper. I bound them together using bookbinding thread to create the final shape. A basket reed arch adds a functional detail, holding the lighting hardware."

The punched-tin lantern, adorned with glass marbles, offers soft light over the bathtub. An antique disc harrow from a farming plow makes a unique canopy for the lantern. To wire the lantern, I purchased the drop cord, threaded connector, cord grip, and socket components from the hardware store and followed instructions I found online. A threaded nut holds the harrow to the mounting bar and snugly to the ceiling.

Artist Ryan Carlson likes to make sculptural lamps, and this light was inspired by bioluminescent fungi — something you might find glowing in a forest at night. "The skeleton is made from basket reed," Ryan describes the process of making the hanging fixture. "The outer shell is created from tissue wrapping paper. I tear the paper into thin strips and apply them to the skeleton using a water/glue solution with a Japanese brush. I build up six to seven layers to add strength."