What Can You Do With A Broken Light Fixture?

Have you ever wondered if you can repurpose an old broken light fixture? I recently found an old brass light fixture at the thrift store, and because it was broken, it was very inexpensive. I almost passed it by, but at the last minute, I was inspired to bring it home. Let me show you how I turned that broken light fixture into a lovely lantern with a quick update.

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What To Do With An Old Light Fixture – Create a Lovely Lantern Of Course!

I recently found a broken light fixture at a Salvation Army thrift store for just $2.00. I loved the brass and wood design; the glass was completely intact.  So, I brought it home to see what I could do with it.   

Step 1 – Remove Broken Pieces

The first step before the transformation was to clean the lantern-style light fixture and remove all the broken wire and interior candles. Set aside any items that might be reused.

Step 2 – Add Paint for Light Fixture Update

Next, I remove the decorative metal at the bottom of the light fixture by removing the screws. This allowed me to spray them with a coat of flat black paint for an updated look.

Finally, paint all the wood trim with two coats of Old White Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan! 

Once everything was dry, I quickly reattached the decorative metal pieces to the light fixture.

Broken Light Fixture Update – New Lantern

To complete the light fixture upcycle, I added another thrift store find.

The chunky candle holder was only $1.00 and perfect for the bowl-shaped brass piece that I removed from the light fixture.

I then added a battery-operated flicker candle and ta-da, and you have a decorative lantern.

Add Plant To Lantern

Another adorable way to use the repurposed lantern is to add a faux or real plant for a cloche-style decor.

Not bad for a $2.00 Thrift Store find. 

Trash-to-treasure projects are the best. You could have painted the lantern in various combinations to work with your decor.  

I hope today’s upcycle project will inspire you to look for creative ways to decorate your home on a budget. You can see another trash-to-treasure makeover – How To Repurpose A Silverware Box. It’s perfect for stationary storage or remote-control storage.

I also found a chandelier that I repurposed for our DIY greenhouse. This beauty has a whole new life with just a little spray paint and some Dollar Tree Solar Lights. You can see the Chandelier transformation here.

What Are Some Other Thrifted Items Good For Upcycling?

Here are a few other damaged items I recommend looking for in thrift stores this year. You will get a much better deal with a little damage, and some items can be easily repaired or upcycled.

• Lamps
• Wood piece with damaged finish
• Items with missing pieces, such as tureens, bowls with missing lids, etc.
• Scratched and damaged furniture
• Textiles that can be cut and upcycled into a pillow, sachets, or other crafts.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed today’s thrift store find.