Upcycled Ball Table Lamp
What do you do when you find a table lamp at your local charity store and you know it has potential? You upcycle it!
I am so inspired by furniture, art and home decor that uses balls as a feature - yup! Have you seen my Ball Side Table, or my Upcycled Bubble Vases yet? I was sent this photo by a friend a few weeks ago and this is the major inspiration behind this project. I spent a lot of time thinking about how I could upcycle a table lamp and ever since I used styrofoam balls to make rendered furniture feet for this project, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about what else I could make with them. And then it clicked! I could use a range of different sized styrofoam balls to upcycle a lamp I recently picked up at a charity shop. Along with air dry clay and paint, I knew this was a project I could tackle in a couple of days and for less than $30. Here’s how.
Before & After
Materials
Lamp shade (preferably secondhand)
Lamp base (preferably secondhand)
Styrofoam balls from Lincraft
Sharp knife
Painter’s tape
Air dry clay from Lincraft
Primer spray paint from Bunnings (to prime the surface for painting)
Paint for the lamp base in your chosen colour. I used another lampshade I had in the studio.
Paint for the lamp shade in your chosen colour. I used Porter’s Paint “Himalayan Salt”.
Tip: Look for a lamp base that has a tall thin stand. If the lamp base is too short, you won’t be able to add as much detail (styrofoam balls) to it. A thin stand is also essential as it looks better when it’s finished, and it’s easier to attach the foam balls onto.
How To
Start by removing the lamp shade. If you want to keep the lampshade as is, great! If you want to change the colour, paint it (typically the same colour as you plan on painting the lamp base) and set it aside to dry. I ended up choosing another secondhand lamp shade I had in the studio as I love the texture of it. However, below are a couple of photos showing how I painted the original lampshade. While I didn’t use it for this project, I know I’ll use it for another.
Have a think about the design you’d like to make; I had a rough idea in mind but I changed my mind along the way until I created a sculptural shape I was really happy with. Start by cutting one of the styrofoam balls in half. Mark down the middle of the half sphere and then on angle, cut out a “v” shape down the half sphere (this will allow room to fit it onto the lamp stand). Place each half sphere on either side of the lamp stand and tape securely using painters tape. Repeat until the stand is covered in your desired design.
Cover the lamp in air dry clay. I used the “little maker” style soufflé air dry clay as I find it really easy to work with. Use a tiny amount of water on your hands to smooth the air dry clay. You still want that “handmade” quality and texture when working with this clay, so don’t get obsessive about applying the clay perfectly. Set aside to dry for at least 24 hours.
When the clay has dried spray the surface of the design and lamp base. You may need to spray two coats. Set aside to dry in between coats. When the paint has dried, attach the lamp shade onto the lamp and there you have it, a gorgeous Sculptural Table Lamp!
Ta daaaa! A stunning upcycled Ball Table Lamp that costs less than $30.
I hope you feel inspired to give this upcycle a try; whether you use a lamp you already have at home or find a lamp base and shade when you go thrifting, I guarantee it’ll bring you so much joy and satisfaction. And there really is no greater feeling than making something yourself. Honestly, I am SO happy with how this upcycled lamp turned out. Designing and making the foam ball detail was so much fun, and breathing new life into the lampshade by using a little bit of paint totally transformed this lamp. And I freaking love that it cost less than $30 to make! Should I make a floor lamp next?
