10 Clever Uses For Burned-Out Light Bulbs
I'm slowly making the switch over to energy-saving compact fluorescent lamps (which last, I think, roughly 800 years), replacing each old incandescent bulb as it expires. Every time I remove an old bulb – the standard-sized ones in my overhead light fixtures, the big round globes that frame my
Posted — UpdatedI'm slowly making the switch over to energy-saving compact fluorescent lamps (which last, I think, roughly 800 years), replacing each old incandescent bulb as it expires. Every time I remove an old bulb – the standard-sized ones in my overhead light fixtures, the big round globes that frame my bathroom mirror, the flat-faced extra-bright work lights, and on – I stuff them into the back of my closet. I can't throw them away. I just know I'll want them back some day!
Light bulbs are really pretty; iconic and curvaceous and aesthetically pleasing, I think. I knew I wanted to do some sort of project with my old burned-out bulbs, and so recently I went looking for inspiration. Here's all the cool stuff I found:
2. You can also create hanging vases, by stripping the bulb as described above, filling it with water and a flower, and then suspending it by fishing line or wire. These look adorable hanging all in a row, in a windowsill or even over a table.
4. If you wrap standard brown twine around a standard-shaped light bulb, and then add a little stick at the tippy top, it looks just like a rustic pear. An adorable, artistic centerpiece.
5. Here's a timely tip: Old light bulb. Spray glue. Doused in glitter. BOOM. Christmas ornament. This would be a fun family craft for Christmas Eve.
9. If you have a bunch of matching bulbs, you can use them in the kitchen. Carefully remove the metal screw ring and the insides, but hold onto the screw ring – that will be your "cap". Now, thoroughly wash and dry the bulbs. Then you can fill them with all your bulk-bought spices for display. "Cap" them and keep them in a pretty plastic (or ceramic) egg holder.
Got any other fun ideas for using old light bulbs? Please share in the comments below!