Our new Solar Floor Lamp has been one of my all time favorite upcyle projects. It was not only fun to craft but very budget friendly as well and that’s always nice, isn’t it.
I’m pretty excited to show you my Solar Floor Lamp project for this months challenge!
I’ve paired up with 17 other talented ladies to bring you a monthly Thrift Store Decor Upcycle Challenge. Each month we create a new home decor piece from an item(s) we’ve found at a thrift store, yard sale, resale shop etc. There is no budget or specific theme so we are free to let our creativity run wild!
You’ll find all 18 projects in a link collection at the bottom of this post. Please be sure to visit and show some love.
Meet the Team
Amanda | The Kolb Corner Chelc| Inside the Fox Den
Erlene | My Pinterventures Kim | Made in a Day Sara | Twelve on Main
Debra | Shoppe No. 5 Shirley | Intelligent Domestications
Marie | DIY Adulation Lindsay | Crazy Organized Michelle | Our Crafty Mom
Julie | Live From Julie’s House Dru | Polka Dot Poplars
Maureen | Red Cottage Chronicles Pili | Sweet Things
Colleen | Life on Kaydeross Creek Ann | Duct Tape and Denim Sherry | Savvy Apron
You can also follow our board on Pinterest for more upcycled decor inspiration!
I know I did a solar light project last month too, see it here, but if you may recall I was shopping for something else when I happened to find that piece. THIS is the lamp I was shopping for last month! I’ve actually had this project in the planning stage for several years but couldn’t find the right lamp to suit me. You never know what you’ll find in a thrift store, right!
Tell me I’m not the only one who goes in a thrift store and asks if they’ll take less for something!
This floor lamp was priced around $12 but I offered $7 and she said yes! Score! I’ve looked at a LOT of floor lamps in thrift stores for the last couple of years and this is the only one that really struck a cord with me. (pun intended)
Supplies
- Thrifted floor lamp
- Rust-oleum Spray paint Seaside
- Rust-oleum Spray paint Real Orange
- 3 Solar lights (Dollar General)
- E6000 glue
The very first thing I did was give it a good cleaning. Then I cut the cords off which was kind of fun!
I took the lamp apart so I could use two different colors of spray paint.
I knew I wanted to use fun colors to create a whimsical design which can be fun in outdoor decor.
My two spray paint colors are Rust-oleum Seaside and Real Orange both in Gloss. I applied two coats each. If you don’t have one of those Spray grip attachments, I do recommend it to make the job a little easier on your wrist and fingers.
This is what the package looks like, you can find them in stores or on Amazon (affiliate link).
Do you tend to paint several projects at one time? Those thrift store cake pans are another project in the works.
The solar lamps are from Dollar General and I used them exactly as they were with no changes other than to glue them to the lamp. I really just lucked up on those solar lights in the right colors. The design was a perfect fit for this project. These have on/off switches which is nice for saving the battery. Yes, solar lights do have batteries.
A little dab of E6000 just on the inside edge of the lamp shade is all it took to hold the shade onto the prongs.
I bent the prongs in just a little to make the shade fit.
The tiny little bulb doesn’t put out much light at all. We enjoy it for mood lighting.
We’re very happy with how our ‘new’ Solar Floor Lamp turned out. It’s a really fun whimsical addition to our porch decor.
Wouldn’t it be fun to have this conversation piece as a part of your campsite! I can just see it sitting under the RV awning between two chairs, can’t you?
Our new Solar Floor Lamp is one of my favorite upcycle projects that I’ve done. I love the whimsical colors and was blessed to find the perfect solar lights.
The total cost was just under $20, not counting the paint. The paint goes into my stash, I’ve already used the blue on something else.
Be sure to check out all of the other creative upcycle projects my fellow bloggers have come up with!
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Jess says
I absolutely LOVE this!! 🙂 SO cute!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for crafts, recipes, and tips: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Helen Fern says
What a fun idea – I love the colors! Would love it if you shared on the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY party!
http://www.pleasuresofthenw.com/do-it-yourself-party-15/
lorraine Williamson says
hi shirley love the project putting this one on my to do list thanks for sharing pinning and sharing have a great week
Nikki Gwin says
I have seen several of these solar floor lamps and I am really liking this one! I think I need one by my hot tub. Love the cool colors you chose. And YES when I get around to spray painting I try to gather everything up and do them all at once.
🙂 gwingal
Donna @ Modern on Monticello says
I am so glad I clicked on your link. Love this idea. Now you are going to make me go to thrift stores to see what I can find. Great job. I’m definitely pinning this one.
Pili says
I’ve never tried any project involving solar lights but you make it looks easy. Maybe on my next trip to the thrift store I will keep an eye open. I really love your solar light and how colorful it is!
Megan says
That is seriously fun and creative! I love the multi-color design and the solar lamps!
Debrashoppeno5 says
This is the coolest lamp. I love it. You are inspiring me to work on a solar light project that I have been meaning to get to for the past 3 years. You make it so easy to do. Great job!
Kim~madeinaday says
Lovin your lamp or should I say all your light projects. I am still thinking about that deck light. I so need it! In my last house in Fl I had a secret thrift store that would pull stuff for me that they knew I would want and they would always negotiate. Sadly I’m stuck with Goodwill, no bargaining there. Sometime I wonder who prices stuff, I’ve see so many way overpriced things there lately.
Kim
Lindsay says
OMG this is so smart! I would have never thought of this! We go camping all the time and this would be PERFECT to have!!
Amanda @The Kolb Corner says
Such a great idea Shirley!! I love that you were able to bargain on the price–It seems like I only have Goodwills around me and they are never willing to negotiate. Doesn’t stop me from trying though!
Shirley Wood says
Our Goodwill stores don’t negotiate either. We have this humongous privately owned thrift store nearby which I love too much. That’s where I found my lamp.
I’ve negotiated successfully in there before, you have to talk to the right person 😉
Thanks!
michelle james says
This is so very creative!! I look so forward to seeing what everyone will come up with in this monthly challenge. Great upcycle!
Shirley Wood says
Thanks Michelle. I love it too, can’t wait to go visit everyone and see some new ideas!
sherry says
I love this, Shirley! This is such a clever upcycle and the colors you chose are great. I am really enjoying doing this challenge with such talented girls! Have a great day.
Shirley Wood says
Thank you Sherry. I decided to just have a little fun and add some whimsy to the front porch. It’s been my favorite upcycle so far. I can’t wait to go see everyone’s creations!