The DIY That Turns An Old, Rusty Sconce Into Statement Decor

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It's time to rethink your view of the hardware corner of your neighborhood thrift store. These oft-overlooked spots are brimming with useful gems that we ignore in favor of more fun treasure hunting. Outdated and even broken outdoor lighting sconces often lie on these shelves. The next time you see one, grab it! With a few upgrades and some basic tools, you can morph this eyesore into an adorable indoor statement piece. Plus, it's not hard to transform an outdoor sconce into a unique lighting feature.

The best part of this project is you can customize it with the colors and embellishments that fit your style. For an easy upgrade, treat a lackluster outdoor sconce to a bit of paint on the frame, some window clings to zhuzh up the glass, and a battery-operated bulb to create a functioning light with no wiring required. Get the job done with painter's tape, sandpaper, scissors, a thin-tipped magic marker, wire cutters, a credit card, a few lint-free rags, window cleaner, and a bulb like this Yochoice rechargeable battery-operated light bulb.

Warm gold metallic spray paint and a colorful stained glass-look window cling cut to fit the glass panes make for irresistible results. But you can also go your own way with another metal sheen or a bright Crayola-color enamel finish on the sconce frame. This is a great opportunity to try out AMACO Rub n Buff, the product that gives you the perfect metallic paint finish every time. You can also use antiquing methods to age the frame. If you want to save money, forget the clings and tint the glass with food coloring and school glue.

To revamp your light fixtures, start by cutting off the wiring. Whether you're spray painting or rubbing n' buffing, the metal could use a rubdown with sandpaper to help the color stick. Sand the surfaces you're painting, and wipe away the residue. Cover the glass with painter's tape, and give the sanded metal a coat or two of your chosen product. Once the paint is no longer tacky, peel away the tape, and clean both sides of the glass with window cleaner. Vinegar is the secret to dazzling clean glass without toxins, so you can use it instead. The pristine glass surfaces will help the clings or paint adhere properly.

Prepare your window clings to fit each glass surface. Measure the areas that you'll be covering with clings, mark the shapes on the cling material with a marker, and cut them out. Adhere them to the clean glass, smoothing out air bubbles as you go with the edge of a credit card. If your glass is domed or curved, it might be too challenging to apply the clings smoothly. 

All is not lost, since you can paint glass with a mixture of school glue and food coloring. Squeeze a generous amount of glue into a disposable cup. Add drops of food coloring, and mix with a popsicle stick or wooden chopstick. Make more "paint" than you think will be necessary; recreating the exact color in another batch can be difficult. Coat the glass with a layer of the dyed glue, and let it dry. Fit your sconce with a battery-operated lightbulb, hang it, and light it up.