DIY Dollar Store Light Fixture Transformation | i should be mopping the floor
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DIY Dollar Store Light Fixture Transformation

I gave my laundry room light a vintage touch with a dollar store find. 
Here's how: 

Transforming a dated light fixture with a dollar store item!
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I have a bit of an extreme personality. And it's not the least bit consistent. 
For months, I've been fixated on an $800 vintage light fixture for this room. Just to be clear, I was fixated, but *pretty much* aware this was not in my budget. But I went from loving that thing to the alternative...spending all of one dollar to update the existing fixture. 
One. Dollar.
Hollaaaaaa.

I keep telling my husband that I just saved us $799...of which I should now have carte blanche to spend as I please {that's how I feel the "system" should work}. However, he's working very hard to remind me that the $800 light fixture wasn't ever going to be anyway. So the most I saved us was like fifty bucks on one from a big box store. {But, heyyyy....$49 is nothing to sneeze at, right?}

This is why I was blatantly unsuccessful as a couponer. I would, literally, spend the amount I saved as a "reward" to myself for saving it. Only instead of buying groceries, I'd take that money to Hobby Lobby for a reallllll good time. Eventually I stopped couponing and there went my Hobby Lobby budget. Pffft.

My entire life is one big oxymoron.

Transforming a dated light fixture with a dollar store item!
But I am happy with my $1 light makeover!

Transforming a dated light fixture with a dollar store item!
This is where this project started. I found a bunch of these wire waste baskets in the office supply section of Dollar Tree. It's not perfect, but hey...it's a dollar.

Transforming a dated light fixture with a dollar store item!
Got out the trusty tin snips.

I initially just cut out the bottom of the basket. However, it proved to be too small for the light fixture. So, Plan B:

Transforming a dated light fixture with a dollar store item!
I actually had to drag out the measuring tape and do some pre-planning...this was the most effort that was put into this project. I can't decide if that's awesome or lazy?

Transforming a dated light fixture with a dollar store item!
So I determined where the eight inch circle would fall within the basket shape and cut there. It was easy, since the grid on the trash can was a built-in guide.

Transforming a dated light fixture with a dollar store item!
Did a quick fit test. I used the existing screws to hold the new basket in place.

Transforming a dated light fixture with a dollar store item!
I taped off my bulb pieces and spray painted the whole thing. If you do this, be careful not to paint the wires that are underneath the fixture...because you'll be in a world of hurt if those end up connected to the wrong wires in the end.

Transforming a dated light fixture with a dollar store item!
While I was determined to do this project solo {sometimes I'm weird like that}, I couldn't, however, take photos and reconnect electrical wires at the same time. So the man was brought in for this part. :) Don't you love the makeshift template on the ceiling...caused by dirtiness? 

Transforming a dated light fixture with a dollar store item!
And there she is. All of one dollar {I have gobs of spray paint on hand, so I didn't even have to buy that}. I do, however, think I will take a cool suggestion that my friend Julie from redheadcandecorate.com gave me: vintage bulbs! How fun will that be?

My husband was concerned about the bulbs being so exposed. Honestly, our glass fixtures had some sort of a yellow tint to them, so I prefer this a lot more. That and you can't see when there's a dead fly in the bottom of the glass bowl of the light fixture.

Transforming a dated light fixture with a dollar store item!
And of course...the washer's running in the full-picture view.
Of course it is.

I'm really close to being completely done with this room...only one more project!

I do intend to get back to posting about the kitchen again {still have several projects to post about from there}. I'm actually waiting on the rest of my cabinet knobs to come in...which are currently on back order {ugh}. So, I've turned my attention to the laundry room while we wait on those. 







Neglect your chores like me and don't miss a thing:




11 comments:

  1. One word to describe how I feel about this project Kristi...LOVE! My brain is going nuts wondering if I can do this in my new laundry room...or my new home office...or the new guest bedroom... or, all three rooms! Pinned for inspiration!

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  2. Great post! I love this!! May try this myself. Go checkout what I did to my laundry CLOSET. Minor changes make BIG differences! Thanks for posting!

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  3. Oh wait! I just remembered..........I don't have this kinda of light fixture!!! BAHHHHHH! I have those "vintage" flourescent light bulbs. Oh well.........may in another closet????

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  4. Hmmm, now how many wire dollar store baskets can I buy before I look crazy? ACTUALLY...I do believe I have a couple at home already! I might just have a 'free' project at hand!

    You crack me up..." I'd take that money to Hobby Lobby for a reallllll good time. Eventually I stopped couponing and there went my Hobby Lobby budget. Pffft." Stupid men, being all "I wanna EAT and I can't eat craft supplies!"

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  5. You are just brilliant! Love this...it looks sooo cool!

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  6. Kristi, this is fantastic and genius! Well done!

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  7. I am love with those bright red/orange washer and dryer! I *need* those! Your Dollar Store light is pretty awesome too!

    Thanks for the inspiration!

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  8. Wow, such a cool idea! I love it! And can I also had how much I love your w/d color? CUTE!

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  9. Oh my! I'm going to have to try this is my pantry hallway. It's very dark when the bulb is working and it seems like I never change it when it burns out. No excuses this way. Love it!!

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  10. That is pretty awesome, I love how taking something simple can turn into perfect piece. ~ Lisa

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  11. Kristi, this is such a fabulous idea!!! Thank you so much for sharing it and joining us at Best of the Weekend! Pinning! Hope you are having a fantastic week!

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