Stunningly Beautiful Pill Bottle Lamp

Pill bottle crafts have never looked so incredible.

By: Emily Seilhamer from facebook.com/EmilySeilhamerArt

By: Emily Seilhamer from facebook.com/EmilySeilhamerArt

Have you ever seen a more beautiful way to recycle pill bottles? Rather than throwing empty pill bottles away, make this Stunningly Beautiful Pill Bottle Lamp. You can't deny how pretty this recycled craft is! Not only will you rescue dozens of pill bottles from the trash can (because many curbside recyclers don't take number 5 plastic), but you'll keep an old lamp from the garbage, too! Reuse pill bottles to make a unique, trendy, and lovely lamp for your home. The orange glow will add ambiance to any room, and the geometric design looks modern and store bought. Impress guests with your shockingly gorgeous DIY lamp.

Click here to see more from Artistry and Upcycling by Emily Seilhamer.

Estimated CostUnder $10

Time to CompleteWeekend project

MaterialsPlastic, Recycled Materials

Primary TechniqueRepurposing

Intermediate

Project TypeMake a Project

Materials List

Old lamp base
Old lampshade
Several dozen empty pill bottles
Tiny glass beads (at least one per pill bottle to help hang them)
WD40 or Windex
Small drill
Fishing line
Super glue

Stunningly Beautiful Pill Bottle Lamp Instructions

Note: click any of the photos below for a larger version.

Remove the caps and labels from the pill bottles. You can remove the sticky residue from the labels using WD40 or Windex.
Cut apart the original lampshade and remove the fabric from the top ring that was attached to the lamp base.

Note: the type of lamp you choose may differ, but most fabric lamp shades have the same basic concept. If you don't have a smaller ring, you can buy metal rings from a local craft store in the size you need.
To hang the bottles, drill a tiny hole in the center of the bottom of each and hang them upside down from the metal ring left from the shade with fishing line.
To keep the bottles from slipping and hang them in a pattern, tie tiny glass beads at different heights.
You'll realize you need a second row of bottle patterns near the center. Super glue a smaller ring on top of the original shade and tie some bottles from that as well.

Note: make sure they hang the bottles so that they aren't touching to the light bulb itself. If they touch it they could melt!
From the Designer: "The shadows when I turned on the lamp were such a happy accident! I hadn't even considered the shape and colors it would give off. Almost reminds me a retro lava lamp."

Look too intimidating? Try one of these...

10+ Ideas to Reuse Old Pill Bottles

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Char

Dec 09, 2023

Looks good in picture

mulberrygalprinces s

Jan 28, 2018

This is a fantastic idea. It is totally unique and not hard to make. I have a few bottles but I have an aunt in a retirement center who can get me plenty of them. And after seeing this I am thinking a wind chime would also be easy to make from them.

flowergirl

Jan 14, 2018

This is the best upcycle for pill bottles I have seen so far. I would normally never think of saving these from the trash, but I admire the creativity here because it looks so chic, but I bet it would serve a hospital lounge better than it would in my living room

lcarr

Jul 13, 2017

When I first saw this project I had to joke with my husband about it. I told him Look dear, finally a use for all of those old pill bottles you refuse to throw out! He laughed, but he also really likes the idea. I like the orange glow it gives off, but like another poster mentioned below, I am not sure if I would like it as much when it is off. It would make a pretty unique lamp for a doctors office or pharmacy though! Maybe I will make one for my doctor. I am sure he would get a kick out of it.

paver2

Jul 13, 2017

It looks absolutely gorgeous when it's turned on, but I am not sure about when it's off. I don't mean to criticize the project, it's quite creative! I just can't imagine it not being turned on and sitting in my living room. I, too, would love to see more pictures of it.

BettyVedder

Jun 29, 2017

I have been saving these pretty bottles for quite a while now with the intention of making some kind of lamp. This is a great idea! I would love to see pictures if anyone else tries this!

Cheryl Y

Jun 15, 2017

What a great idea to recycle old pill bottles, and give a old lamp a now doo! This is so interesting and sounds easy enough to make. I'm going to start saving the pill bottles now. Oh my hubby will not be to happy with me. Saving more junk he would say. LOL But if I make one of these he may be fine with me saving stuff. Can't wait!! Thank you so much for sharing this free craft.