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Chaotically Creative

Crazy good ideas for your life, home, and business!

Trash Can Lights

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When I saw this garbage can at Target I was so excited. I thought what a perfectly cute garbage can! So I bought it.

Then I went back to Target and decided I needed a bigger one… to be honest  I don’t even know why I “needed” a bigger one. I just loved these things. And they were both under $12.

Well after about a week of using them as hampers and garbage cans I had a light bulb go off. These would be perfect as light fixtures for the playroom.  I had already finished the Paper Bag Flooring and now it was time to install lighting.

I wanted lighting that was fun and classy but I couldn’t spend a lot of money.

Depending on your current light situation your materials will vary. I was converting 2 pot lights and a ceiling fan to pendant light fixtures. This project will be under $50 if you don’t need to buy conversion kits for pot lights.

List of Supplies

  1.  Metal Garbage Cans
  2.  Pendant Light Conversion Kit (if converting pot lights)
  3.  Pendant light kits
  4.  Wire Cutters
  5.  Spray paint

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 Steps on Making a Trash Can Light

  1. Remove ring from Pendant light kit 
  2. Trace the outside of the ring on the bottom of your trash can

photo 3 3. Using Wire Cutters Firmly Cut where your markings are. Wear safety glasses you don’t want to have anything pop out at you!

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4. Slide the top part of the pendant kit in to the hole.5. From the inside, screw the ring on to attach the top and bottom to the trash can.

photo 4 (2)5. Spray Paint the entire trash can and any parts of the pendant light. I choose to leave the cord and top white.

SONY DSCLastly, install the light as directed. Two of my lights we recessed lights so I had to use a conversion kit first. Then proceed with regular installation. You can pick up a conversion kit at Home Depot.

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SONY DSCIt was hard to get a good shot of all three. But I choose to hang the big trash can in the middle of the room and the two small ones on each side. I also added Edison Bulbs and that really made a huge difference.

edison bulb

 

They look so amazing I couldn’t be any happier. Three beautifully custom lights for under $40 a piece!

What do you think?  Have you ever made a light out of something unconventional?

If you like this you may like how to customize a light with paint.  

 

Comments

  6. Okay – they had these trash cans on clearance at my Target forever, and I kept thinking I should buy one because it had such a great shape, but I wasn’t sure what I would do with it… annnnnnnd, now I’m kicking myself. Love these lights! They look so great! If you have second, will you please come by and share them with us at The Makers link party over on my blog?

  7. Love this idea! I have a room that the green just as it is would look amazing in! Can you tell me, are these the Threshold brand or RE? Many Thanks! Just discovered your site and loving it so far!

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