10 Cute Tips for Upcycled Kitchen Decor

Upcycling is a really big hobby for many people these days. Part of that is due to the years of living under a difficult economy during the financial crisis. But for others, it is just a fun interest they have always enjoyed and continue to do so. There are certainly a lot of blogs and social media posts dedicated to the practice, and thanks to Macklemore, second hand shops are more popular than ever. At least some of what is bought there is sure to end up as part of a project.

To get tips on how to upcycle, such as projects involving kitchen d?cor, sometimes it is best just to look at what people have already made. Here are ten tips from upcycled items around the web, all having to do with kitchens.

1. Kitchen Utensil Chimes

Tea Strainers into Unique Looking Mini-Lamps

If you love experimenting with lightning, you should be definitely checking out our previous projects, like this dictionary lamp, beer can lamp, decanters lamps and many others!

Today's new idea is the solid one to add to the arsenal: tea strainer lamp create some unique light play and also look really trendy! Something to surprise your guests with! They could also create a cool interior decor element too!

Mason Jars into Elegant Garden Lanterns

Mason jars work great as upcycling material: they look pretty (no need for extra decor) and are rather thick and reliable (they aren't even afraid of open fire).

Here's a detailed tutorial on creating stylish mason jar lanterns to decorate your garden.

You will need:

• 1 pint or ½ pint mason jars
• 2-2 ½ feet of bailing wire per lantern
• Sand
• Votive or tea light candles

Tools:

• Pencil
• Wire cutters
• Needle Nose Pliers

More cool DIY ideas for garden lanterns

• DIY Metal Cans Garden Laterns
• How to Make Recycled Wine Bottle Torch

Dictionary Lamp - A Bit of Geekery at Home

I wasn't able to find any tutorial on creating this one but I loved the idea. Look:

1. A dictionary page for the shade;
2. A round-bottomed flask for the stand.

The main thing is to remember that a light bulb can get really hot while on, so don't let it be close to the paper.

Enjoy!

More awesome lamp ideas:

• Decanters Lamps;
• Plastic PET Bottle Lamps;
• Milk Carton Lamps;
• Ink Cartridge Lamps;
• Cassette Tape Lamps

3 DIY Projects to Create Romantic Light on Valentine's Day

Do you like the idea of celebrating Valentine's Day on the cheap... or even for free? Making things for your beloved one is always so inspiring!

Here are three ideas for you to create romantic atmosphere using what you have (and don't need at home):

Create Romantic Light from Beer Can

All you need is one beer can and a candle - plus some imagination! Looks how some creative cutting creates absolutely stunning effect:

A Slide Lamp

This project is harder to implement but it would be surelly appreciated. Besides, you still have a day! (Via Recycled Crafts)

A Heart Lamp

This one is for geekiest of us. But if you have time and love playing with LED lights, you'll find the idea great!

Decanters Lamps - Simply Awesome!

Do you have vintage decanters stored somewhere in your garage? Or do you love walking around antiques markets and vintage shops? Do you enjoy unique and extra-ordinary interior designs and cool (easy-to-implement) ideas?

In any of the cases, this awesome DIY project is right for you: decanters lamps! Gotta love the light effects and cool look!

What do you think?

Paint Chips Lamp

Our DIY collection proves it that ANYTHING can be turned into a cool lamp including paint chips.

This lamp is a great example. It is made of paint chips joint together the way the lamp can actually take any random form.

Thus it looks totally cool, innovative and extra-ordinary. Now go figure the way the pieces are joint together!

Paper Towel Cardboard Tube into a Lamp

In the hands of a creative woman, anything can be turned into the piece of art, even a paper towel tube.

Here's a detailed tutorial on how to create a fun table lamp using a cardboard tube and some imagination!

Used Ink Cartridge Lamps

I don't really think you have many ink cartridges unless you print much. But in case you are in printing industry, there's a recycle-inspiration for you too: recycle them into cool ink cartridge lamps!

A fun mug lamp

If for any reason you don't need your old cup for mug, there is one fun way to recycle them: create a fun lamp (or even a chandelier) using them (I am not sure how difficult it is to make this but definitely looks like fun!)

Soda Pop Lamp

This doesn't look as stylish as pepsi bottle lamp or pop tabs lamp we've seen earlier but it does seem to be fun.

And if you have kids, they will simply LOVE it!

CD Lamp

I have already shared a lamp where stack of CDs were used as a lamp base. But this one is much more impressive!

In it, CDs are a glow - they create some beautiful plastic light effect when having a bulb inside:

Milk Carton Lamps

I am not sure how safe these lamps are (is milk carton solid enough to sustain the heat from the bulb?) but they look really awesome!

The best thing about the project is the cool ornament - gotta love it!

Pepsi Bottle Lamp

Sometimes the most genius things are born from really simple stuff. This Pepsi bottle lamp is the best proof for that. I am sure it will make your home most famous decor: all your friends will be impressed.

Note: the one in the picture is made of a vintage bottle but I am sure the very modern one will look cool as well.

Cool Pop Tabs Lamp

500 pop tabs and "many, many nights" work result in a unique and amazing DIY project: a pop tabs lamp.

The author calls it a "tree hugger" and t does look like a lot of work, so if you decide to make one, good luck!

Plastic Bottles Spheric Lamps

Most of us have plenty of used empty plastic bottles at home: some of them can be spent on these cool plastic boxes, others (if you have many) - on this plastic bottle chair and if you still have some, consider this cool spheric lamp.

Empty, unlabeled plastic drink bottles create a burst of light and refraction. Besides, you can control the color of light by choosing different colors.

Plastic PET Bottle Lamps

We've seen quite a few lights in plastic so far: remember a nice plastic cups chandelier and a cool drinking straw lamp? And today we are offering another nice plastic lamp.

Plastic Cups Table and Floor Lamps

Plastics looks cool as light fixture due to amazing light effects it creates (we've already seen how plastic cups can be turned into beautiful chandeliers). The only thing to be aware of is that the heat the light produces may burn out the plastic so you'd better use LED lights. But for sure, this always looks cool!

Stack of CDs as a Lamp Base

Need some more geeky design elements in your interior or just can't seem to find a way to take advantage of old CDs?

Here's a cool idea to turn your used CD into a cool modern design element.

CD Spindle Lamp

Well, if you don't feel like using a CD spindle as a tissue paper holder and dispenser, here's a better way to reuse it: create a CD spindle lamp!

Here's a detailed instruction which is really easy to follow!