How do I dispose of old lamps?
- Create a Shade of a Different Color. Update a room's look by reupholstering your existing lamp shades.
- Use Refurbished and Recycled Items. When you decorate your lamp shades, use an eco-friendly approach and focus on...
- Updating the Fabric on Your Shade.
- Use Natural, Recycled and Green Materials.
Full Answer
Where can I recycle old lamp shades?
BRING Recycling in Eugene, Oregon, EcoBuilding Bargains in Springfield, Massachusetts and Reclaim It Atlanta are just a few examples. Your favorite thrift store may be interested in old lamp shades. Sometimes people need them to replace lamp shades on light fixtures they already own.
How do you dispose of old light fixtures?
Nonprofit organizations like Habitat for Humanity Restore or the Salvation Army are great places to start. Make sure that the fixture is in good working order, with no rust or frayed wires, and remove all light bulbs before taking the fixture to be donated. Local recycling centers accept light fixtures and ceiling fans too.
Can I Recycle my Old light bulb?
A bulky, old lamp takes up substantial space in a landfill, so you'll want to avoid throwing it away if possible. Whether you choose to recycle your lamp at a waste management facility or repurpose the lamp, there are a few things to consider. Ask yourself the following questions:
What to do with old lampshades?
Old lampshades are a dime a dozen at thrift stores and garages sales. One of my favorite (and easiest) projects was from a dollar shade I bought on a whim at a garage sale just because I liked the bones of it.
Are lamp shades recyclable?
Inside the fixture is plastic- or rubber-coated copper wires. If they can be separated, all these materials can be recycled. Most light fixtures have glass or paper shades, which cannot be recycled.
What can I do with old lamp shades?
Whatever you decide, you can readily spruce it up with some spray painting.Perfect DIY Lamp Shade Sunburst Mirror. ... Great DIY Brass Lamp Makeover. ... DIY Broken Upcycling Lamps Cake Plate Idea. ... Cool Upcycled Utensil Table Lamp. ... Affordable Upcycled Lamp Embellishment Stand. ... Birdcage Lamp Potted Plant Holder.More items...•
What do you do with old lamps that don't work?
Ideas to Repurpose Old LampsRepurpose old lamps into a side table.Repurpose one into a bird bath.Make a tiered stand from a thrift store lamp and trays.Take the wiring out of old lamps and turn them into candlesticks.Paint a base to turn it into shelf decor.Repurpose old lamps from inside to outdoor solar lights.More items...
Does anyone recover lamp shades?
Lampshades can usually be recovered with similar materials and trims to retain the original look or the customer can change the look with a new choice of fabrics and finishes.
Can I cover a lampshade with fabric?
Adding a fun fabric to a lampshade creates a great focal point to the room. Match the fabric of your favorite pillow or complement the lamp base for a bold look. Totally customizable and original- this project is a way to put your mark on a room!
Why do we use lamp shades?
Almost all lights inside homes and offices have lamp shades to cover light bulbs. Although a lamp shade is usually seen as a decorative element, its main purpose is to diffuse or redirect the light from the bulb for maximum effectiveness and protect your eyes from the bulb's glare.
Are old lamps worth anything?
Modern lamps may be worth a fortune as collectibles, depending on the manufacturer or circumstances of their production. Condition: Examine the overall condition of your old lamp to check for any damages or whether repairs are possible.
Are old light fixtures worth anything?
It's also possible that the antique store may sell the fixture on consignment for you. If you consign your fixture, expect to give up 30 – 50% of the sale price to the antique store for selling the fixture for you.
Why is it better to repair and reuse a broken lamp then sell it to a scrap dealer?
This lowers the likelihood that a bulb will break and injure you or a staff member. It is also one less step the recycling company must take to disassemble the light fixture. You might also remove any fabric or paper lamp shades. These cannot be recycled and are a much better candidate for reuse (more on that later).
How much does it cost to recover a lamp shade?
With so many options, it's helpful to have advice from people at a full-service lamp store. Vasilas said relining can cost $75 to $200, with an average of about $85.
What material are lampshades made of?
Lampshades are made of fabric, parchment, glass, Tiffany glass, paper or plastic. Common fabric materials include silk, linen and cotton. Fabric shades are reinforced by metal frames to give the lampshades their shape, while paper or plastic shades can hold their shape without support.
How do you recover a material lampshade?
4:227:21How to Recover a Lamp Shade with Fabric - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEspecially around the edges which have to be folded around the lampshade. Right after you sprayedMoreEspecially around the edges which have to be folded around the lampshade. Right after you sprayed then you want to just fold over the one edge to create a very small hem. And then spray the hem.
How much does it cost to recover a lampshade?
With so many options, it's helpful to have advice from people at a full-service lamp store. Vasilas said relining can cost $75 to $200, with an average of about $85.
How do you decorate a lampshade with ribbon?
2:265:05DIY Ribbon Lamp Shade -- Do It, Gurl - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipColor I'd recommend wrapping the vertical accent color with your brightest ribbon. So then that wayMoreColor I'd recommend wrapping the vertical accent color with your brightest ribbon. So then that way your lampshade doesn't appear too bright.
How do you paint fabric lampshades?
Prepare the lampshade and your work area the same way as you would for spray paint. Put some acrylic, chalk, or fabric paint in a paint tray or plastic cup and use a small flat paintbrush to apply an even coat to the shade. Use long, straight up and down brush strokes to coat the lampshade evenly.
Can I spray paint a glass lamp shade?
Hold a can of glass spray paint, or a multipurpose spray paint that will cover and adhere to glass, about 8 inches away from the shade to be sprayed. In most cases, you will be using a solid color paint or a metallic-colored paint.
How to fix broken light bulbs?
Step 1. Unscrew light bulbs from your broken lamp fixture. If the light bulbs are broken, put them in a paper bag. Then put the paper bag in a plastic bag and tie the plastic bag shut. If the light bulbs are not visibly broken, save them. You may be able to use them again.
Can you recycle broken light fixtures?
You may recycle broken light fixtures ( as New York City does) if they're made from metal, glass or plastic material. Or you may need to take the items to a landfill or hazardous materials collection site, or wait for a scheduled curbside hazardous materials collection in your community.
Can you dispose of broken lights?
Broken glass and lamp pieces can injure children or pets. Disposing of a broken lamp isn't always as simple as putting the pieces in the garbage bin.
What to do with a lamp that isn't going to fit?
Repurposing a Lamp. If your lamp just isn't going to fit into your décor any longer, regardless of a quick makeover, then consider a creative way to repurpose it. For instance, many lamp bases are heavy enough to work as bookends while more slender bases can double as candlesticks.
What to do with ceramic lamp bases?
Mosaic pieces can make a lovely border in a garden or for decorating other craft projects. People even add them as accent points in tiling. If the pieces are going to be exposed to moisture or other elements, treat them with a bathroom-quality sealant. Be careful about the breakage, keeping a towel around your workspace to catch any shards that might fly astray. It's a good idea to wear gardening gloves while gathering up the pieces so you can avoid nicks and cuts.
How to make a lamp look better?
Also, try pairing the lamp with different household items. You might improve your lamp's look by placing it as a contrast color next to a houseplant or near an interesting knickknack. Experiment with other items in your house to see what works.
What to do if your wiring is shot?
If the wiring is shot, you can rewire it yourself or hire an electrician to do it for you . Junk shops or antique stores often have an electrician on staff who can do the work for a small fee. Next, consider what aesthetic issues you have to address.
What is a lamp socket?
A lamp plugged into a corner socket is a cheap way to brighten attics and other storage spaces. Since your root cellar or garage isn't likely going to be on any home tours that you give, the lamp's style won't need to match your overall décor. Advertisement.
Can you recycle ceramic lamp bases?
While most waste management facilities accept light bulbs, ceramic lamp bases are very difficult to recycle. Your local recycling group can better handle glass bases. Ceramic, even though it begins as an eco-friendly clay, is fired and glazed, making it hard to break down and reuse.
Can you repurpose an old lamp?
Most repurposing projects for old lamps are simple and only take a day or so to complete. This is a particularly good option if you want to keep the lamp around for sentimental reasons but are tired of storing it out of sight somewhere, taking up closet or attic space.
Donate Your Old Light Fixtures to a Nonprofit Organization
If you have an old chandelier that’s too nice to throw away and you don’t want to go through the hassle of selling or upcycling it, you can consider donating it. Nonprofit organizations accept lighting donations for people who need fixtures for their homes. People trying to rebuild their lives after fires, floods, and life events.
Sell Your Old Light Fixtures
Will my old fixture sell? It depends. If you can find your light fixture at Home Depot, Lowes, or any big box store and you paid less than $50 for it, it probably won’t be worth your time to sell it.
How Much Can I Sell My Light Fixture For?
A light fixture is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. The easiest way to find out what yours will sell for (if anything) is to look online. Ebay is a good starting point. You need to locate your fixture on the site and see what it sold for. Not all light fixtures are listed on Ebay so if you can’t find yours, search for its closest match.
Trash Your Old Light Fixtures
Throwing away an old light fixture should be the last resort but sometimes it’s necessary. Fixtures that have broken sockets, frayed wires, or no chain may seem like they need to be trashed but sockets, wires, and chains can be replaced and a fresh coat of paint is a miracle cure for light fixtures.
Can you use solar lights outside?
This person added a solar-powered light to an old light fixture that was missing the cord. Quick, easy and you can use it anywhere outside .
Can you take old light fixtures off your hands?
If your community has a permanent facility for accepting e-waste (and most places do), they should be able to take old light fixtures off your hands. If your community does not have an electronic waste disposal center, find out if anyone does special e-waste collection days throughout the year.
Can you recycle fluorescent bulbs?
Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) must be recycled because they contain mercury. However, there are few outlets for recycling other types of light bulbs. Check out the article How to Recycle Light Bulbs for more details.
Can you recycle light fixtures?
The challenging thing about recycling light fixtures is that they are made with so many different materials – not all of which are recyclable. The main part of every light fixture is brass, aluminum, copper or another metal. Inside the fixture is plastic- or rubber-coated copper wires. If they can be separated, all these materials can be recycled. Most light fixtures have glass or paper shades, which cannot be recycled. Older chandeliers may have crystals or beads draped from them, which are also unrecyclable. Ceiling fans have blades made with a mixture of wood, plastic and fabric parts. There can be miscellaneous bits of plastic and other materials mixed in with other parts of the light fixture. And then there are the bulbs. Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) must be recycled because they contain mercury. However, there are few outlets for recycling other types of light bulbs. Check out the article How to Recycle Light Bulbs for more details.
What to do with repurposed lamp parts?
These repurposed lamp parts will add some exciting vintage style to your plant collection . Metal lamps have an amazing number of parts you can use, not to mention their natural classic artistic designs throughout. You can utilize one of the larger pieces along with a candle holder for this pedestal planter project. Whatever candle holder you choose, consider using that as a jumping off point in order to paint the lamp part to match it. As long as the lamp has an intricate design, any color may look wonderful. You’re left with a beautiful, small planter that you can fit almost anywhere to liven up the space inside and outside your home.
How to use a wire lamp shade for plants?
Simply use the bare boned lamp shade to hold a plant vase that can fit inside it. This helps if the lamp shade is taller and wide. Or you can even add on more to the wire lamp shade, gluing on a wooden piece to create a complete table stand for the plants. Either way elevates your plants off the floor and onto your own beautifully customized, upcycled stand.
What is the best way to get the necessary storage while decorating your home with upcycled material?
A brilliant way to get the necessary storage while decorating your home with upcycled material is with this tiered lamp. The glass bowls/shades are absolutely stunning, and they add an amazing vintage touch to your home without sacrificing their usefulness. Each has a different unique pattern as well to standout even more.
Can you use cake plate on a lamp?
Unfortunately, lamps are fragile and can break. Try to ignore your first instinct to throw out that now defunct lamp, and instead upgrade it into something useful again like a cake plate. You don’t even need that many supplies for this project either. Heavy-duty glue can go a long way here. Feel free to personalize this more with your choice of decorative plate and some kind of paint added to the lamp base. You’ll get a cake plate at the end of it that’s as sturdy as it is charming.
Can you use a lamp shade basket in the kitchen?
It can serve as the perfect base for your little one’s toys. Or, if you don’t have kids, you can just use it in the office or the kitchen to stash some larger utensils. Regardless of your uses, this lamp shade basket can be a colorful addition to your home that’s also an incredibly useful and customized décor. 14.
Can you use a tall lamp as a plant holder?
This plant holder is remarkable as it reuses a number of different items. You can find a tall lamp that you have no use for, taking out the light fixture to just use the base for the stand. It can be especially useful if you find a decorative lamp like those classic crystal-looking ones. This can give your planter a more appealing stand than some of the usual ones you find in the store. Add in a birdcage and you can enhance this planter even further, creating something completely unique to your garden to house your potted plants.
Can you use a plant holder on a patio?
Once everything is dry, you’re ready to slip in some plants, fake or real. It doesn’t take much effort or time, but you come away with a gorgeous plant holder that you can use as a center piece in a dining room, out on your patio, or anywhere else for your home decoration needs.
