Turn A Pile Of Toilet Paper Rolls Into A Gorgeous Lampshade

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Considering that one person can go through an average of 85 rolls of 150 sheets of toilet paper each a year, it doesn't take long for a household to amass a substantial collection of inner tubes. If you're a passionate crafter, you'll be rejoicing at the constant supply of useful cardboard. There are so many clever ways to repurpose empty toilet paper rolls around your home, but one particularly nifty way involves transforming them into a flower-filled lampshade for a pendant light. It may sound a little silly, but this simple project completely transforms trash into a gorgeous interior design feature for any room.

As TikTok DIYer ohohdeco shows in a video tutorial, all you need to turn a pile of toilet paper rolls into a gorgeous lampshade are the rolls themselves. If you don't have a stash and want to start this craft right away, ask family and friends or purchase the tubes new. You can buy a 100-pack of AiDiYGECO Brown Empty Toilet Paper Rolls for about $24. Hold on to any extra rolls — you can turn them into an eco-friendly way to decorate for a party! To decorate your lampshade, get a can of spray paint. Creator ohohdeco uses a maroon paint — something similar to Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 2X Ultra Cover Spray Paint in Satin Claret Wine. You can, of course, choose any hue you prefer — perhaps something that complements or contrasts with your existing interior palette. Tools-wise, you'll need a hot glue gun and glue sticks, a pair of scissors, and a large bowl to use as a form or mold.

To create the flowers, flatten a toilet paper roll and cut it into thin rings. Add a thin line of hot glue to the edge of one ring. Attach a second ring to it and press them together until the glue has dried. Repeat the process another ten or so times until you create a flower shape, then glue the first and last petal together. Depending on how thin you cut the strips, you should be able to get one flower per roll. Make about 20 flowers. Turn the bowl upside down on your work space. Place a cardboard ring in the center — this is what you'll fit around the bulb of your pendant light. Add some glue to a flower, press the flat side of one petal onto the ring, holding it in place until the glue dries. Repeat with more flowers until you cover the bowl.

While some people like the rustic look of the raw brown cardboard, the vibe might be a bit too boho for your taste. In this case, you can customize the lampshade with a coat of paint. You can use a bold maroon, like TikToker ohohdeco did, or go sleek and minimalist with a dusting of Nadamoo Silver Metallic Spray Paint. If you love intricate light fixtures, modify your construction technique a little at the flower-making stage. Fold a couple of the flattened cardboard strips in half, then glue them inside a petal to create layers. Another way to customize this project is to use a box or another shade in a quirky shape as the mold. No matter which direction you take, old toilet paper rolls are undeniably a lampshade material that will transform the energy of your room.