Recycled Lamp DIY Bird Bath
Updated: Apr. 24, 2020
Use an old lamp base to create a unique recycled bird bath that your birds will love.
OK, I admit it. I am a hoarder of lights. Old lamps, ceiling fixtures, chandeliers—they all lend themselves beautifully to reinvention, and I simply can’t resist their promises. In this case, a $1.99 thrift-store lamp said, “Bird bath, bird bath, bird bath!” until, after a few paces, I succumbed and handed over my two bucks. This DIY bird bath was truly a fast and easy project. One lamp, a few hours, spray paint and some epoxy just about did it. So keep your eyes peeled and your ears open at those Saturday morning yard sales. You never know when a lamp will speak to you, giving you a chance to create your own recycled bird bath!
Materials:
- Old lamp
- Painter’s tape
- Spray primer and paint
- Wide, shallow bowl for bath
- Clear epoxy
- Ceiling light canopy (optional)
Step-By-Step Instructions:
Step 1
Remove the socket and lamp shade support from the lamp and cut the cord at both ends to make it easy to pull through the lamp housing.
Step 2
I added a ceiling light canopy to the top of my lamp to offer more support to the bowl. This was simple to do, since a ceiling canopy already has a hole in the center, and the lamp has a screw and nut, making attachment super easy. You may need to add a washer if the nut on the lamp is smaller than the canopy hole.
Step 3
It’s much easier to paint the lamp before adding the bowl. Make sure to wash the lamp down for a dust-free surface, and let dry thoroughly. I used painter’s tape to protect the base of the lamp. Several light coats of spray paint within a few minutes of each other provide a quick transformation.
Step 4
When the paint is thoroughly dry, usually within an hour or two, you can glue the bowl onto the circular canopy edge. I used a clear epoxy out of the tube all around the bowl. Epoxy takes a while to set up but is extremely strong.
Make sure to mark or eyeball the center of the bowl before gluing it to the canopy. An off-center bowl will fall over when you fill it with water. Set the birdbath aside long enough for the epoxy to cure.
Step 5
Scout the perfect spot, place the birdbath, fill it up with water and enjoy your handiwork!
