Last summer, I scooped up two beautiful dusty blue and brass lamps for just $4 each at my local thrift store. I was immediately drawn to their color and vintage charm, but I didn’t realize until I got them home that they were made for candle or chandelier bulbs—meaning a traditional lampshade wasn’t going to work.

I tried for months to style them with little clip-on lampshades, but let’s be honest… they looked weird. The scale was off, the proportions felt wrong, and I wasn’t excited about how they looked on our entry table. I kept thinking, “These lamps are too beautiful to waste, but how can I use them in a way that actually fits our home’s aesthetic?”

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That’s when the idea hit me—what if I turned them into candlesticks? Their shape already resembled tall candle holders, and if I could just remove the top cream plastic and socket, I knew they’d be perfect. So, I gave it a try! And it turned out to be such an easy and rewarding DIY. I’m thrilled to share how I upcycled these vintage thrifted lamps into elegant candlesticks that now sit beautifully in our entryway.

I started the transformation by cutting the cords, knowing they wouldn’t be needed anymore. That simple action made it feel official—these were no longer lamps. Using a pair of pliers for grip, I carefully loosened the nut underneath each lamp base. Once that was removed, I could slide out the inner metal tube and wiring, leaving me with the outer shells: those pretty dusty blue columns and brass accents that I loved from the start.

With everything apart, I took the opportunity to polish the brass. It was a little dull from years of use and dust, but I brought it back to life using my favorite brass cleaner. If you missed the Secondhand School episode where I shared my best tips for cleaning and polishing brass, you HAVE to check it out! A little bit of cleaning can go a long way in making secondhand pieces feel high-end.

At this point, I had a few loose parts with no internal structure holding them together. To reassemble the pieces into a sturdy and stylish candlestick, I reached for my super-duty superglue. I carefully attached the blue columns to the brass bases and then added the brass toppers to the top of the tubes. It was important to keep everything level so the candlesticks would stand straight and look polished once complete.

I followed the superglue directions and let everything cure overnight. The next morning, I had two absolutely stunning candlesticks. They’re tall, elegant, and filled with personality—and best of all, no one else has anything quite like them. They’re a true one-of-a-kind upcycled piece, and they bring a ton of character to our space.

This little DIY project reminded me that secondhand finds often come with so much potential. You just have to look at them with fresh eyes and a bit of creativity. Whether you’re reimagining a lamp as a candlestick or finding new use for an old tray, the magic of thrifting lies in the transformation. You’re already saving money by shopping secondhand, so why not take some chances and turn those finds into something uniquely yours?

If you’re looking for more easy upcycling inspiration, you’ll love exploring the archives. I’ve shared so many simple and satisfying thrift flips over the years—projects that are budget-friendly, beginner-friendly, and full of charm.

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xoxo, L