Repurposing a Lamp into a Table

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Lamp to Table Makeover
I have a love obsession with lamps....that along with candles and pillows...and headboards. Well, really, the list can go on and on lol. Anyway. So what happens to a lamp when it doesn't work anymore? Why transform it into a side table of course :) In order to do this, the lamp needs to be at least a medium size if not larger, and have somewhat of a sturdy heavy base in order to stand without toppling once the top is on. 

First step: Demolish your lamp..well, not really. Just the part that makes it a lamp :) Take off the shade and the shade holder. Then on the piece that holds the light bulb, unscrew it/pull it out enough so you can see the cord/wire and cut the wire off. Of course, I shouldn't have to say this, but make sure the lamp isn't plugged in. Now take the cord out of the bottom so you shouldn't have a cord any more.
 Step 2: I had a lot of attempts with the best way to attach the lamp to the table top. There are a few ways you can do it depending upon the supplies on hand. First, the best way, would be to take a spade bit in the size of the diameter of the lightbulb holder part. My bits were either just a bit too small or to big, so I didn't do it this way. But if you do. Drill into a 2x4 piece of wood about half way down and then plop the lightbulp holder part into the hole. If you want to make sure it's in there for good, add some gorilla glue or wood glue to hold.

Now for me, I decided to just gorilla glue the piece to the wood. Which worked great! But as the glue started to expand, I had to push down the bubbles a little bit so it wouldn't become such an eye sore once spray painted and finished.
 Step 3: Now secure the 2x4 piece to the center of your round/square table top. I got this from Home Depot for about 4 bucks. It's 18 inches in diameter.
Step 4: Once everything is dry and secure. Screw the top piece back onto the main lamp base. Just hold the lamp base steady, and swirl around the top!

Step 5: Prime the piece. Now, I have to admit something. I hate priming pieces. Hate it. And hardly ever do it, and sometimes don't get the most awesome results....and then I usually end up wasting a lot more spray paint than I should. So, I figured I should prime this one. I swear I'm going to do it every time now. The results were fantastic.
 Step 6: Spay paint! I got a really pretty turquoise from Rust-oleum. Best sprayer ever on this can by the way :) And it covers so well....like I probably didn't even have to do a second coat. :)
 And there you have it! A great little side table for the price of the table top (which I had on hand, so free for me  :) )
Lamp to Table Makeover
 You might wonder what it looks like with the block of wood. It doesn't look bad at all! You can see it in the below picture. You can probably add another block if you want more height. I also noticed on a few of my lamps that the lightbulb holder part isn't so secure, so you can just take this part off altogether and secure the next piece into the 2x4 block. If you are then worried about the height, just add another block. I guess some of this configuration will all depend on the lamp you use :)

As for the little switch that turns the light on? I unscrewed the main part, but the screw is still on there. But you can't even see it or tell. I think camouflaging it with the same color helps.
Lamp to Table Makeover
 I love this pop of color. I think the hubs is probably happy to that I'm actually using some color, although I'm not sure how he feels about such a punchy color lol. Truthfully, I love the color, it's so so happy feeling :)
Lamp to Table Makeover
 I have a somewhat matchstick lamp I want to try this out on next. It has a good base, so hopefully it won't wobble and fall over lol.
Have any fun plans for the weekend? I have to figure out what the heck to do while the hubs is out golfing all weekend lol. I guess here comes some more projects :)

33 comments

  1. What an amazing idea. I love it. This turned out really fabulous. Great job. Hugs, Marty

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  2. I'm pretty sure I would have never thought to do that. So clever! Love the outcome. Visiting from The CSI Project.

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  3. Love this idea.. you are super crafty! love it!

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  4. This is a great idea, one that I wouldn't have thought of either. I'm sure of that because I have a brass lamp I've been hanging onto because I like it, but just not well enough to use as a lamp.

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  5. This is so, so cute! I love the pop of color! Visiting from Tatertots and Jello :)

    -Bonnie @ Revolutionaries
    www.revolutionariesblog.com

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  6. So cool and clever! Thanks for sharing! I'm pinning! Have a great weekend.
    Leslie
    House on the Way

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  7. I am im love with this idea!!! Thanks so much for sharing! I would love if you would follow my blog http://hoybycrafts.blogspot.com. Thanks again for this awesome idea!

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  8. Thanks for linking up to The CSI Project! You were picked as The CSI Project top pick! I am following you now and would love for you to be a guest judge sometime.
    If you are interested, email me at dee@thecsiproject.com
    I love your blog!

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  9. Oh my goodness, I LOVE this!! The color, the idea, the shape of the lamp/table base! Perfection!

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  10. What a clever idea! Who would have thought that a lamp can become a table. Amazing! If you get a chance, please link this up to my linky party: http://suburbsmama.blogspot.com/2013/04/sunday-linky-party-3.html

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  11. Hi, I added this to my tip of the day at www.facebook.com/portaverdestudio. Come visit us for daily ideas and painted and repurposed furniture.

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  12. Very cute. I'm going to try this with some really heavy stone lamp bases I have and use a paver of some sort for the top.

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  13. I love this! I may have to try it sometime if I can find the right lamp, and I would definitely link back. :) I also pinned it.

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  14. How unique, and so much fun with that colour! Great job!
    I saw you sharing at Project Inspire{d} Linky Party.
    Debbie :)

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  15. Oh my heck! I love this idea-so brilliant!! An old curvy lamp is way easier to find at a thrift store than a great curvy table! Awesome job, I've got to do this:)

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  16. What a great tutorial. And I love the color you chose for the table! Thanks for linking up for Friday Favorites. I'm featuring you this week!

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  17. Love this! I will most definitely have to try it. I'm a Goodwill Junkie and Lord knows I've seen anough lamps that cold use a re-do! I'm a new follower!

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  18. I love it! Repurposing things is so awesome, you did a great job and I love the color too!

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  19. This looks great! I have a couple of brass lamps that I was going to throw into the garage sale but now I've a better idea! Thanks!

    Christine

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  20. HOLY COW!!! This thing is awesome! LOVE IT! I blog over at http://www.2crafty4myskirt.blogspot.com/ Every Friday I feature a fellow crafter. I would love to feature you and this project in an upcoming Friday. If you are interested please let me know toocraftyformyskirt@hotmail.com

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  21. Wow!! That doesn't even look like the same lamp! It is incredible... so much better as a table. I never would have thought of that, great post! Congrats on the feature at Simply Sweet Home too. :)

    Krista @ joyfulhealthyeats

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  22. Genius idea! I actually looked at "after" pic a few times and kept thinking where's the lamp?!

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  23. I religiously follow your blog :) I always thought you'd use some color in your otherwise perfect house . <3 the pop of color! Love from India!

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  24. What a fabulous and clever idea! Love the color you chose and a perfect solution for a creating your pretty nook! Love your blog - new follower now too! Thanks for sharing at Project Inspired! I pinned it to our group party Pinboard!

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  25. Over from Roadkill Rescue...just had to say this project is the definition of crafty!

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  26. Love this idea, seriously the best makeover of a lamp, ever! (Saw you over on Roadkill Rescue.)

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  27. I featured you today here! http://www.settingforfour.com/2013/04/10-indoor-and-outdoor-home-projects.html I also pinned it to my linky party pinboard! Thanks for sharing at Project Inspired Linky Party! New linky party will be up at 8 pm EST - hope you can join me!

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  28. what a creative idea!! i also love the color you chose.

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  29. What an awesome idea! I love the pop of colour, it makes me happy :) Just a thought...what about securing the base of the lamp to a smaller wood board, circular or square depending on the lamp used for more stability. Either way, I love it!

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  30. Thanks for the fab idea! I first saw lamp bases being repurposed years ago as candle holders; just push a candle down onto the parts that stick up for instant decor.

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  31. This was perfect timing for me, I just disassembled a torchiere lamp because the glass shade was broken. I now have a decorative and very heavy base to do this. I had been wondering how to put a top on the post, thank you for solving my problem!

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happy DIYing! Alicia