As an upcycler, I love finding potential in just about anything, and lampshade frames are no exception. Their unique lines and shapes are full of creative possibilities. You’ll often spot them in thrift stores, antique shops, and flea markets, especially the ones with broken or stained shades—items that might otherwise be discarded. My goal is to prevent them from ending up in landfills.

Most lampshades, especially vintage ones, have sturdy frames, which makes them ideal for upcycling. I’ve often seen bare frames for sale, and they’re my favorite to work with because they’re easy to transform.

Before starting any upcycling project, be sure to clean the frame thoroughly—an old toothbrush with soapy water works wonders. Keep in mind that some vintage frames may contain lead, so it’s best to test them beforehand.

Now, let’s get to the upcycling ideas! The first six are inspired by my tutorial on creating a food net cover, which you can find here. The last seven are ideas for any lampshade frame without fabric coverings.

Hosting an outdoor picnic? This upcycle will keep bugs off your food in style! Simply cover the lampshade frame with tulle fabric and add a handle for easy access. It’s much sturdier than cheap store-bought food covers, customizable, and looks beautiful. Plus, using a tiered serving platter gives this project an even more creative flair. Find the full tutorial here. This is by far my most popular upcycle to date, I almost reached 20 million views on Instagram even! 

Turn the lampshade frame upside down, attach a long dowel, and you’ve got yourself a unique plant holder. Be sure to use a secure screw and washer to support the plant’s weight. This idea would be perfect for an outdoor wedding, especially with the tulle draped around it.

Protect your outdoor plants from pests with a sturdy lampshade frame! The weight of the frame ensures it won’t blow away, and you can even add fabric landscaping pins for extra stability. This solution is also highly customizable—just choose a frame size that suits your plant. It can be used for single potted plants or directly put in a garden bed.

For a chic side table, attach a dowel to the lampshade frame and place it in an old patio umbrella holder. If the dowel wobbles, add a pool noodle or other padding to stabilize it. Use a tray as the tabletop, or for a more polished look, cut a wooden top to fit the frame. For the top I used a serving tray I already had on hand. I kind of like how I can prepare the drinks inside on the tray and then just carry that out to the ‘table’. The tulle around the frame adds a decorative touch and also provides some storage space. Plus if it rains I don’t need to worry about it collecting water because the tulle allows it to fully drain out the small holes. 

Similar to the side table, this chandelier idea involves adding a small dowel and drilling a hole to hang it. Wrap battery-operated string lights around the frame for a beautiful outdoor ambiance. Next time I’ll try and hide that battery box a bit better.

Using the chandelier method, you can also create a fun Halloween costume! I used tap lights that turn red to resemble flames, turning the frame into an Olympic torch or Statue of Liberty prop. Alternatively, you could use red string lights. You may even get the ‘most creative’ award at the next party!

More Lampshade Upcycling Ideas – These ideas work with any lampshade frame without a fabric covering:

Place the lampshade frame on a flat surface and hang your favorite jewelry from it—especially long, dangling earrings. This would also be a great display for craft fairs.

Just like those elevated pizza trays in restaurants! Place the frame upside down on the table and top it with a cutting board. You’ll free up table space, and it’s extra fun to add a small dish of spices underneath. This lampshade fit perfectly for this idea! 

Flip the frame upside down and drape it with fabric to create a makeshift bowl. I like to use my fabric bowl covers, which you can learn to make here.

Secure the lampshade frame to a wall and train your plant’s vines to climb along it. It’s a playful way to get vines off the ground while adding some decorative flair.

This simple idea involves placing the frame on a table and clipping cards or mementos to it using clothespins.

For another plant stand idea, find a pot that fits inside the frame. This will elevate your plant, leaving room for more plants below.

Last but not least—my favorite! Flip the frame upside down to create a pie carrier for your next potluck. Place whipped cream or other toppings on the bottom, and nest the pie on top. Wrap a long piece of fabric around the frame and tie it to create a handle. The fabric also doubles as a tablecloth once you arrive!

I hope you’re as inspired by these upcycling ideas as I was creating them! If you try any of these projects, I’d love to hear about it—leave a comment or follow me on Instagram, where I share more of my upcycles.