How to Upcycle Ceiling Fan Lights Into Candle Holders
That’s what happened to me when I saw these dainty little things or $1.99 each, just screaming for me to upcycle ceiling fan lights into candle holders!
It’s perfect for a summer outdoor patio!
BEFORE
And that’s exactly what I did!
They were too cute to pass up!
AFTER!
I do love me some candles, so I made this platform (for detailed step-by-step instructions, check out the 10-min. video tutorial on my YouTube channel).
But I really struggled with how to decorate this project (don’t I always run into misfortune?!?)
First, I tested out staining it.
HORRIBLE.
And while I love vibrant colors, I hate orange (did I mention to you that I hate orange??)
I thought I would give it a try, though.
Daggonit if it didn’t look like crap! It was reminiscent of a giant Lego!
I kept going though…’cause I’m tenacious like that, yo…..
Only…it was still horrible!
What in the world was I going to do with a big ‘ole orange block?!
I was going to trust my gut, that’s what!
So I switched out the orange Annie Sloan chalk paint for the Duck Egg and French Linen. Ahhhhh…….
Next, I pulled out my favorite pretty floral stencil.
I wrapped some jute around the base, too. Much better!!!
And then I lit a fire on top of my vintage buffet, and it looked gorgeous!
And what almost became THE worse project in the history of Thrift Diving (well, maybe not THE worse… remember that custom tiled table top near-disaster??), is now one of my favorite projects and upcycles!
How to Turn Ceiling Fan Lights Into Candle Holders
I’m going to do this post a little different. Instead of posting 10 million pictures here, you’ll love the video tutorial instead! for all the instructions and step-by-step details. It’s about 10 minutes long and I walk you through everything with how to build it. Not so much the stenciling, but you can watch my other videos on how to stencil if you want help with that!
Watch the Tutorial!!!
Materials Needed to Turn Ceiling Fan Lights Into Candle Holders
- Thrifted ceiling fan light covers
- Pretty floral stencil (affiliate link)
- Get a 1×4 pine board from the home improvement store
- Power drill
- Hole saw accessory (use whichever diameter you’d like)
- Jig saw (or a miter saw as optional)
- Nailer (or hammer and nails if you don’t have a nailer)
- Wood glue
- Sandpaper
- Speed square
- Paint or stain with a brush
- Wax or polyurethane
Click here to SHARE this project on Pinterest! 🙂
Okay, so I want to know, have you guys ever thought about turning old ceiling fan lights into something? Let me know if you have! I’d love to know!
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How do you keep the melted candle from running out the bottom of the glass, or did I miss a step?
StoneMaven (great name!),
I showed it briefly in the video. Just use scrap wood on the inside. I would add that you could just hot glue a piece of scrap wood to the inside so that it creates a nice seal :).
Pretty! I’ve never been an orange person either until I recently painted my bathroom white and hung a bright orange paisley shower curtain! It’s funny about stepping outside your comfort zone, often it turns out to be your favorite move. The shower curtain is hands down my favorite part of my bathroom. Thing is, now, I’m kinda obsessed with looking for accessories to go in there. I actually liked the orange block, and with the same stencil you used with white or off white, it would have toned the orange down. I was picturing that on the back of my toilet! LOL LOL Nice job!
I LOVE this project and had to laugh on your finish. The end result is awesome..I can’t see it stained, and as much as I LOVE organge I don’t see it on you:) Your finished project is perfect!
wow! if you hadn’t showed us you made it… i would have thought you bought it. its beautiful. i don’t have pretty clear ones like you found, but i do have similar looking one that are a frosted glass… maybe i can try something similar. thanks for the great upcyle idea!!!!
That is so pretty. I need to get a hole accessory part.
They’re really awesome, Saundra! I’d like to get my hands on various sizes so that I could plan some other stuff. So much easier than trying to cut a hole with a jigsaw! 🙂 LOL
This could also me multi use if you block up the bottom of the shades it could be a planter for small succulents or a table ornament for different holidays – the possibilities are endless – did I mention I loooooooooove it :))
That’s a great idea! I’d be afraid to put anything living inside of it. I have a black thumb! LOL
Love, love, love it !!!!
Fantastic job
Thanks so much, Sue! Sometimes a bear of a project ends up working out! 🙂
I love this ! These glass shades can also be found at the Habitat for Humanity stores. They usually are about 50 cents to one dollar.
Oh, yeah! Thanks for the tip. I was just there the other day. They had some really expensive lights there, but if these are cheap, I’ll pick up a few more for another one :).
Serena,
That looks great inside or out!
Thank you, Kristina! It was a fun project to make :).