Cool Things to Make At Home

Egg cartons, Legos, ballpoint pens, blenders and plastic spoons: these are just a few of the items that have been transformed intoawesome light fixtures by creative DIYers. Why buy new lighting orlamps when you could have a stunning chandelier or lamp that puts junk to good use? These 15 examples of brilliant eco-illumination show just how stylish and fun recycled materials can be – from solar-powered lights and lamp-bookcase two-in-ones to integrated green mouse pad lamps and do-it-yourself bent wood lamps.

Cardboard Fairy LightTo spruce up a string of ‘fairy lights’, all you really need 

is a cardboard egg carton and some scissors. Esprit Cabane created this lovely set of flower-shaped light covers which, when trimmed and fitted over the lights, give a warm, cozy effect. Use LED lights only to prevent this pretty DIY light project from turning into a fire hazard.

Tube Light by Castor Canadensis

(images via: Esprit Cabane)

(images via: Craftzine)

Everybody’s making the switch to compact fluorescent bulbs, and while that’s a good thing, it also means old incandescents are piling up all over the place. Bulbs Unlimited makes it easy to recycle them into a quirky light fixture with DIY kits that save old dead bulbs from an unpleasant fate in the landfill.
Chiquita Banana Chandelier


(images via: Inhabitat)

You wouldn’t think that a couple dozen Chiquita banana cardboard cartons would make a chic chandelier, but somehow, designer Anneke Jacobs has achieved just that. She created this colorful design, which casts subtle ambient lighting, while a student at the Utrecht School of Product Design.
Modern Lights from Glass Bottles
Wine bottle lamps 


(images via: jerrykott.com)

Wine bottle lamps are a popular DIY projects, but they aren’t always pretty and certainly can’t be called modern. This interpretation, however, ditches the cheesy Italian restaurant vibe with a simple silhouette and blocks of color. Each hanging Khrysalis light fixture comes with a frosted bulb that flickers slightly, much like the fluttering of a butterfly about to leave the chrysalis, thus the name.
Water Bottle Chandelier


(images via: Treehugger)

Plastic water bottles are like a plague upon the earth. They litter highways, meadows and bodies of water – and since people aren’t likely to give them up any time soon, some intrepid designers have taken to finding creative new ways to reuse them. This chandelier by Stuart Haygarth is both beautiful and functional, taking hundreds of plastic bottles out of the waste stream.
Gold Toy Lamp
(images via: Core 77

Vespa Lamp

The Volivik Lamp by En Pieza is constructed almost entirely of Bic ballpoint pens strung onto circular forms. It comes in both orange and clear versions, 

but as you can see, the clear pens really allow the light to sparkle and shine in a way that rivals even expensive crystal chandeliers.
Vespa Lamp

Cocktail Umbrella Lamp


(images via: Bright Lights Little City)

The next time you attend a tropical-themed party, gather up as many of those silly little drink umbrellas so you can make your own version of this ‘Happy Hour’ lamp. The hanging lamp, based on an award-winning prototype by the Rhode Island School of Design, features cocktail umbrellas sprayed in a protective lacquer and finished with a fire retardant spray.
Plastic Spoon Chandelier

Blender Lamp


(image via: Instructables)

Tea-cups
When blenders quit working and repair isn’t an option, you could always turn it into an eye-catching table lamp. Instructables has the step-by-step directions that help you turn a piece of junk into a conversation piece that will find a perfect home on your bar, kitchen counter or desktop.
Hanging Teacup Lamps


(image via: Domestic Construction)

Teacups make the perfect hanging light – they’re just the right size to use alone as a subtle spotlight or in a group for a dramatic chandelier. These “ted” lights by Domestic Construction are made from tea cups acquired at flea markets and thrift stores all over the country, hardwired and fully prepped for immediate installation.
Traffic Light Lamp


(image via: Ecofriend)

Greenlight Concepts reincarnated old traffic lights into sleek hanging light fixtures fitted with high-efficiency LED bulbs. The recycled traffic lamp comes, naturally, in “Intimidating Red”, “Yielding Yellow” and “Go Green”. Simple, streamlined, brilliant reuse.

Good Luck

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