How to Upcycle Wire Lampshade Frames into Plant Stands

by Sarah - Craft Invaders

In this easy tutorial, I show you how to upcycle vintage wire lampshade frames into gorgeous industrial style plant stands that will look fab in any interior.

The frames used in these vintage lampshades have welded spokes, designed to be re-covered rather than replaced. Indeed, some of the lampshades shown in this tutorial show signs of precisely that.

It is the build quality of these frames that make them so perfect for upcycling. Far more robust than their mass-produced modern counterparts, the lampshade frames I am using for these plant stands will happily take the weight of a plant and ceramic pot.

Vintage wire lampshade frames also come in a beautiful range of shapes. Hexagon, oval and empire shapes, with or without scalloped edges. They really are pieces of industrial sculpture in their own right.

 

I show you how to upcycle vintage lampshade frames into gorgeous industrial style plant stands that will look fab in any interior.

 

 

Where can I find old wire lampshade frames?

Although I’m sure it’s possible to buy vintage style wire lampshade frames new, this is an upcycling project, so our lampshade frames are all reclaimed. Check charity shops, car boot sales and auctions for lampshades that have seen better days. You should be able to pick them up for just a couple of pounds.

Here is my collection of vintage lampshades. They are both battered and dated, so I have no issue with pulling them apart to use.

 

I show you how to upcycle vintage lampshade frames into gorgeous industrial style plant stands that will look fab in any interior.

 

To start, you need to strip the old material from your lampshade. A pair of sharp scissors or a stitch cutter is useful as you’ll find the fabric stitched in places.

 

I show you how to upcycle vintage lampshade frames into gorgeous industrial style plant stands that will look fab in any interior.

 

All the lampshades I took apart for this project had been hand-stitched. I even found an old repair to the wire frame on one of them. I spent a very peaceful hour wondering what the previous owners might have been like as I unpicked their stitching. They would never have known that the same frame they were recovering would end up in the public domain like this.

 

I show you how to upcycle vintage lampshade frames into gorgeous industrial style plant stands that will look fab in any interior.

 

Finally, I used a hack saw to remove the internal wires on two of the frames but left them intact on one of the lampshade frames as I like how they look.

 

I show you how to upcycle vintage lampshade frames into gorgeous industrial style plant stands that will look fab in any interior.

 

I am using three of the wire lampshade frames to make plant stands. The rest I am keeping for another project I have in mind.

 

Spray painting wire lampshade frames

I used enamel spray paint to cover the wire frames. Two in glossy black and one in rose gold. Enamel paint would also work well but take a little longer.

I always use spray paints outside. If using them inside, ventilate the area well and protect the work surfaces. 

When using spray paint, thin coats give the best results and avoids drips. I find it easiest to spray the inside of the frame first.

 

I show you how to upcycle vintage lampshade frames into gorgeous industrial style plant stands that will look fab in any interior.

 

Turning wire lampshade frames into plant stands. 

You can either use your wire lampshade frames as a plant stand by merely dropping a pot into it as shown below, or by adding a top to it.

 

I show you how to upcycle vintage lampshade frames into gorgeous industrial style plant stands that will look fab in any interior.

 

I used gorgeous olive wood chopping boards as tops for two my stands. They are seconds, so only cost a few pounds each, but you’d never know by looking at them.

I marked out where I wanted each stand to go.

 

I show you how to upcycle vintage lampshade frames into gorgeous industrial style plant stands that will look fab in any interior.

 

And used a liberal amount of all-purpose glue to attach the stand and top.

 

I show you how to upcycle vintage lampshade frames into gorgeous industrial style plant stands that will look fab in any interior.

 

And here on my finished plant stands.

 

I show you how to upcycle vintage lampshade frames into gorgeous industrial style plant stands that will look fab in any interior.

 

Don’t they look gorgeous?

 

I show you how to upcycle vintage lampshade frames into gorgeous industrial style plant stands that will look fab in any interior.

 

The rose gold plant stand holds my daughter’s favourite plant pot and matches her room.

 

I show you how to upcycle vintage lampshade frames into gorgeous industrial style plant stands that will look fab in any interior.

 

And I have added an LED candle to the black stand which I think looks cute.

 

I show you how to upcycle vintage lampshade frames into gorgeous industrial style plant stands that will look fab in any interior.

 

If you have enjoyed our upcycled wire lampshade frames into plant stands tutorial, why not check out some of our other quirky recycled and upcycling ideas. You can find a list of our favourites below.

 

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These concrete candles are made using part used pillar candles and homemade moulds. They are a great way of trying out candle making without spending a load of money on equipment.

 

Upcycled Soap – How to Make Soap the Frugal Way!

Try out soap making at home without having to buy lots of supplies. Follow our easy instructions using store-bought soap.

 

In this upcycled soap tutorial we show you how you can try out soap making at home with just a couple of items from the supermarket – you may even have them in your cupboard at home already!

 

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The key to air plant survival is air circulation. Our air plant wire jellyfish are a great way to display them and are made with a simple household item.

 

The key to air plant survival is constant air circulation. Our air plant wire jellyfish are the perfect way to display these fascinating plants and use a surprising household item to make them.

 

How To Make A Cute Window Bird Feeder

Our DIY window bird feeder is made from an old cake pan and a tea strainer and allows us to watch our lovely wild birds eat their breakfast while we eat ours.

 

Our DIY window bird feeder is made from an old cake pan and a tea strainer and allows us to watch our lovely wild birds eat their breakfast while we eat ours. It is a fantastic way to see birds close up while still keeping them safe from predators. #birdfeeder #windowbirdfeeder #homemadebirdfeeder

 

How To Make Super Easy Kokedama Moss Balls

Kokedama is the Japanese art of growing plants in moss balls. See how to create a low maintenance version from tennis balls and sheet moss.

 

Kokedama is the Japanese art of growing plants in moss balls. Here, we show you how to create a secure, low maintenance version from old tennis balls and sheet moss. All the beauty of Kokedama moss balls without the mess and constant watering. #Kokedama #StringGarden #MossBalls #MossGarden #KokedamaBalls

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7 comments

Shawnya June 19, 2021 - 6:46 am

Very nice plant stands and great idea with the concrete candles

Reply
Robin February 1, 2021 - 5:39 pm

Hello! Thank you for such a wonderful and really useful article, I underlined a lot while reading it. It is really a great idea to make wire lampshades into plant stands, it is very creative and brings old and unnecessary lampshades back to life. Now I am very sorry that I threw away 5 of these lampshades not so long ago since they have been in my attic for many years and they just took up space. Now I will probably look for such lampshades) Thanks again for this wonderful article.

Reply
Sarah - Craft Invaders February 1, 2021 - 6:00 pm

Thank you so much for your kind words Robin. And isn’t it always the way with holding on to things – the minute you have a clear out an idea presents itself lol :)

Reply
Wondering March 3, 2020 - 2:57 am

Great idea!!! I love it but was wondering how u put the wood
On the lamp stand to make it stay if u could somehow tell me I wood like to follow u but don’t no how

Reply
Sarah - Craft Invaders March 4, 2020 - 9:55 am

I used a strong glue to stick it in place. If you look at the pictures you can just see where I applied it after marking the area with a sharpie – hope that makes sense :)

Reply
Mary Alice December 29, 2019 - 7:21 pm

I love the upcycle lampshade idea for plant stands. I’m heading to the thrifts this week to see what I can find. I need more plant stands for my deck this coming Spring! Thank you for sharing this great idea.

Reply
Sarah - Craft Invaders January 14, 2020 - 8:27 am

Thank you for taking the time to comment Mary, enjoy making yours :)

Reply