How To Turn Thrifted Glassware Into Adorable Upcycled Decor

When you're looking to spice up your living room, lighting is always an excellent place to start. Think about the lava lamp you had as a kid. It was fun and different; there was something about it that grabbed your attention. When it comes to decorating your living room, you may want something striking to capture that vibe. With just a quick trip to the thrift store, you can find some vintage glassware and begin crafting the perfect upcycled lamp to revive that feeling.

You're looking for some clear, glass, or crystal bowls and vases with which to work. For this DIY, you're going to take some paint and reimagine the glassware into bright and exciting light covers. Adhere a Wireless LED from Dollar Tree to shine through the color and you've built your own nostalgic lamps.

If you're a fan of dopamine decor trends, you're going to absolutely adore the look that these crafty lamps bring to your space. Sure, they're brightly-colored and fun, but repurposed home decor especially lends to the dopamine aesthetic of bringing joy. It's always fun to craft something yourself, but these lamps will bring you a sense of pride every time you see them. Plus they're stylish and unique to you!

There are so many ways to reuse glassware from the thrift store. For this craft, you'll need paint, remote-controlled lights, and a glass piece that is large enough to contain the lights. Begin by thrifting for some glassware that speaks to you. Consider, perhaps, that vases can serve as bases and bowls could act as lamp shades.

First, you're going to wash your glassware and allow it to fully dry. Before painting, wipe your piece with rubbing alcohol and make sure your paint specifies that it is glass-compatible. Choose a fun color that suits your lamp's new home. Remember that lighter colors let more light through — paint only the inside if you want pieces to filter more light. 

If you want to get creative and paint designs, remember to paint in layers, front to back, so that it will be visible from the outside. When it comes to adding even layers of paint, you'll want to use soft bristle brushes, spouncers, or thin layers of spray paint to reduce brush stroke lines. Adding paint to the outside of your glassware will make it semi-opaque — wrap and tape areas that you want to protect with plastic. Finally, once the paint dries, stick your remote-controlled LEDs to a flat surface inside and find a safe place for your new lamp to sit. Your lamp will be bright and fun during the day, while offering ambience as natural lighting fades into the night.