Transform Affordable Plastic Bowl Stack Into A Chic Lamp

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Adding a layer of light to a room design can take it from ordinary to extraordinary, and a simple lamp is sometimes all you need to accomplish that. If you don't have a spare lamp lying around, this budget-friendly DIY is a chic addition to your decor that chases the shadows away without breaking the bank. Using small plastic bowls and cups, you can make a snazzy, battery-operated lamp that holds its own in a stylish setting. 

Start with one, upside-down plastic bowl. Using a hot glue gun, attach the bottom of a plastic cup to the base of the bowl. Apply glue to the rim of the cup, and press the next bowl onto it with the second bowl also turned upside down. Keep stacking bowls and cups until you reach the height you want — 10 bowls and nine plastic cups creates a substantial lamp, but you can adjust the number based on your desired height and the size of the bowls you use. To keep your stack straight, work in a corner where two walls meet. Once the glue is dry, spray paint the tower of bowls and cups to match your decor. 

Pick up a lampshade at a thrift shop, and balance it on top of the bowl stack. If it balances securely, there's no need to glue it down, though glue is a good option if it's wobbly. Use clear mounting tape to attach three small battery-operated lights around the edges of the top bowl. Attaching them to shine outwards rather than upwards gives a gentle diffusion of light on the lampshade. Pair your new lamp with a custom-made pendant light by transforming a serving bowl into a luxe-looking light fixture to change up the lighting situation in your room.

Using the same basic idea, you can let your creativity loose to come up with a unique lamp that is ideally suited to your space. Bring the industrial glam aesthetic into your home by using square bowls painted black with metallic accents. Select the right lampshade for your lamp to complete the look. Opt for a darker lampshade that mimics brass, copper, or steel, and avoid the multicolor settings on the battery-operated lights. 

By switching the painted bowls with a set of transparent hard plastic bowls, such as the Scandinovia Unbreakable Premium Bowls in delightful pastel colors, you'll get a completely different look. Instead of a rich, gold gleam or edgy metallic look, you'll get a delicate play of light through the base that is utterly charming. Another magical option is to choose clear plastic bowls and fill the stacking plastic cups with different shades of Rackcrafts Metallic Shred Angel Hair Iridescent Stuffing or another filler before gluing the bowls in place. This thoroughly sparkly and completely adorable adaptation is ideal for a kid's bedroom.

The fun part about this DIY is that you can use various sizes of bowls to adapt the dimensions of the finished lamp. Once you've determined the right size lamp for your space, find bowls that lend themselves to that height and width. Tiny bowls will give you tiny lamps, and larger bowls will give you the drama you need for larger spaces. Pick battery-operated lights to match. You can find options that are remote control and that have different light settings to change the mood of the room.