3 Light Fixtures You Can Make From Recycled Materials

In this article we’re going to show you 3 lighting designs made from recycled materials that you won’t be able to believe are so simple to make. The fixtures will look super sophisticated when they’re ready, and the investment you’ll make will be minimal (or even nil). You will only need a few materials that are out of date and a little imagination.

Good lighting is very important in the decoration but, above all, originality in the use of materials will prevail. That’s why, currently, you can find thousands of lighting designs made from recycled materials on the market. With this idea in mind, we will create our own designs at home.

3 ideas for making luminaires from recycled materials

1. With crystals and sequins

This first idea of ​​luminaires made from recycled materials is modern and elegant at the same time.  You can combine crystals of different shapes and sizes with large sequins.

The idea is to make a bright luminaire to achieve a youthful and cheerful atmosphere. You can use a dim yellow bulb for a more romantic effect.

Keep in mind that these light fixtures look great in bedrooms, but they also work well in living rooms. You just need to play with your imagination and get to work:

Materials

• Crystals in the shapes and sizes you want (174 units).
• Hard cardboard circle 20 centimeters in diameter.
• Large sequins (as many as you want).
• CDs in disuse  (7).
• Silver paint.

• Nylon wire.
• Silicone gun.
• Lamp holder.

Instructions

• First, take the cardboard circle and make a hole in the middle the size of your lamp holder.
• Paint it silver and let it dry.
• Take a CD and break it with your hands into large pieces. Do the same with the other CDs.
• Glue these pieces to the cardboard, leaving the silver part visible. Leave a space between them; this will give a mirrored mosaic look.
• Take the nylon thread and cut 20 strips. The first 20 cm, then increase 1 cm in each strip until finished.
• Take the shortest strip (20 centimeters) and 9 crystals. These crystals must have a hole. Take one and pass it through the strip and fix it at the end with the silicone gun so it doesn’t move.
• Then add the remaining 8 in the same way and leave 1cm of separation between them.

• Take the 21cm strip and place the crystals in the same way. Only this time, you’ll raise one. You will use 10 crystals.
• Repeat the same procedure with the rest of the strips. Always adding one more crystal.
• You can add sequins wherever you like. Always fixing with silicone.
• When all the strips are ready, you will glue them to the cardboard, leaving the crystals hanging.
• You’ll start with the shortest strip, working with the other sizes until you’re done.
• Put your lamp holder on and you’re done.

2. With glass bottles

You won’t believe how simple it is to cut glass and make this beautiful lamp design made from recycled materials.  You can choose the bottles you like best in different colors, shapes and sizes and place them randomly in a corner of the house or on a table.

Materials

• Bucket of cold water (3 liters).
• Glass bottles (4 or 5 ).
• Lamp holder.
• Cuts glasses.
• Torch.
• Tweezers.
• Sandpaper.

Instructions

• Take a bottle and mark the entire diameter with the glass cutter at the height you want to cut.
• With a blowtorch, heat the entire brand.
• Quickly place the bottle in the bucket with the 3 liters of ice water.
• Give the tongs a few steady strokes on the underside of the bottle and you’ll see how it splits.
• Sand the edges well.
• Finally, put the lamp on.

3. With coolant rings

You can make beautiful light fixtures made from recycled materials with rings from soda cans. They are extremely modern and attractive. No one will notice or believe you made it at home. Did you know that similar models are sold at high prices in lighting stores?

Materials

• Tweezers.
• An old light fixture with a metal bracket.
• Soda can rings (the amount will depend on the size of the light fixture, but calculate around 50).

Instructions

• Take the old light fixture and carefully remove the screen. Leave only the metal base, as this is the element you will be working with.
• Fold all rings in half at their widest part.
• On the larger rounded end, make a cut. You’ll use this cut to secure them all over the metal frame.
• Attach one lower ring to two upper ones. Keep this up until you reach a height that suits you. Keep in mind that the best part of working with recycled materials is that you will help take care of the planet.